I spent most of my day yesterday with my mother and father trying to help them decide some things about selling their home. I looked at piles of books, sermons, fabric, family photos, all representing untold years of memories.

I tried to be gentle and helpful and cautious as I listened and tried to think of simple quiet things I could do to help my Mom. My Dad is less enthusiastic about moving, and far less able to be of any help in the organizing and planning of the many years of accumulation still to be sorted and pared.

As I drove home I was again reminded of all the reasons that I wish to make my family my priority and how little joy I feel at the prospect of returning to the world of work. Charlie and I keep praying that somehow we will find ways of making our finances work so that I can still be available to our family. Send prayers if you got them.