Family

Slingshot

Dad says, “Like this.”

John Masson Pictures

Thanks to every single individual who made John’s Homecoming and Benefit a success!! All of the photos are up. You are free to download and use these pictures to print for yourself. If you are with the media or you’re blogging, please link back if you use a photo! Thanks! Click here: John Masson Homecoming, Valparaiso, Indiana airport. Friday January … Read More

Fight

*A note before you read this. After doing an audit of my blog in 2022, I have decided to leave content that speaks to the Christian I was at the time this was written. I no longer identify as Christian (and haven’t for a very long time.) I chose to leave these posts because it is who I was then … Read More

Incoming

Most of you know my dad was a door-gunner in Vietnam. He lost his best friend. He saw things he’s never talked about. He came home and did the best he could. He and mom met at the E, J, &  E Railroad. Got married in April of 1971, had me in March of 1972. Most of my memories are … Read More

How to Traumatize Your Kid

Lovely thoughts of Christmases long gone fill my mind. Pierogi and fried lake perch. Snowballs and kolachy.  Midnight Mass.  Big family dinners at grandma’s house. Then. We’d walk across the alley back to our house, all excited for Santa to come. Dad would get his gun out and start teasing that he was going to shoot Rudolph. He was a … Read More

Six Months

Six months today and it’s not any easier. I wish the Amazing Grace felt a little more graceful right now. Maybe it does, maybe I’m just too numb to know it.

Count Fish

Ann Voskamp posted the other day about counting fish. You should really go read it, but if you don’t the gist of the story is this… Simon Peter climbed aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” … Read More

Zane and Justin Vining

Justin is painting a mural at the Valparaiso International Center (the VIC) and we stopped by today to watch. My plan was to have Zane see someone (other than me because I don’t count right now since I’m mom and teacher) working on their art and to hopefully inspire him to want to move away from video games and TV … Read More

Bad days ahead

Tomorrow my brother and sister and I are going to spread and distribute my mom’s ashes.  I still don’t know that it has sunk in that my mom is in a box right now. All of her. And we have to divvy her up. ugh. Tuesday would have been her birthday. We’re leaving for vacation and happier days Thursday. I … Read More