Once, a few years ago, my mother and I were visiting family in the state of Missouri. We were in a beautiful wooded area, with homes sparsely located throughout. Driving through the quaint neighborhood, we spotted a deer in someone's back yard. Amazingly enough, I had my camera out and ready to go. "Pull over!" I exclaimed, hoping to snap the photo of the year. The deer couldn't have been more than 50 yards away.  Obediently, my mom pulled over, just as eager as I to sneak a closer look at the beautiful doe that remained frozen with fear in the near distance. We inched closer and closer, slowly and softly, not making any sudden movements. With every microscopic step, I became more stunned at the closing distance between the deer and us. It soon passed the point of believable that she made no effort to bound away. She just stood there, ears up, without making a move.  At last I raised my camera, not willing to tempt another step. And that's when all our wonder an...

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity, and its first chapter is New Year's Day." -Edith Lovejoy Pierce Tomorrow morning, we will travel nearly 2,000 miles back to our New Jersey home. We've visited Eddie's family in Texas, and my family in Nebraska. Something that's never been done before and may not be done again for a very long time.  Tomorrow morning begins a new year with new chances and possibilities. But tonight , I can think of no better way to spend New Year's Eve, than with my three favorite guys. 3... 2... 1... HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I saw my grandpa today. It's been a few years for me now. I drove out quite a way, through the country where farmers plow. Out past the school with only one room Where Grandpa went as a kid. Now it's deserted as a tomb, With field mice and birds amid. And when I arrived at Grandpa's place I didn't play like before. It was a small, quiet, and gentle space, And I couldn't roughhouse anymore. We talked mostly of the changing times, The bait shop is closed now too. "Did you know my last name is now Grimes?" He wasn't there, but he knew. Not much else to speak of and yet, I lingered there for a while. Among Iris, Rosemary, and Violet, I bid goodbye with a smile. I saw my Grandpa today. It's been a few years for me now. And I left a wet tear on the ground where he lay, "I'll come back soon," I vow.

I settled down for a quiet evening in. Jammies on with my thick slipper socks, a movie picked out, and left over cookies and milk for a snack. It was one of my last nights "home" before we drove back to New Jersey. As soon as I cozied up into a warm, thick blanket, my phone rang.  "Hello?" "Hi Aunt Beth! Can you come over and read us a bed time story?" asked my 4-year old nephew. I paused for only a moment and considered a child-friendly way to say no. I would see him in the morning after all. Luckily though, I thought again.  In a few nights, I won't be 4 1/2 minutes away from my nephews, but 1,293 miles away. And should they call and want to play, or read a bedtime story, I won't have a choice anymore.  "Yes sweety. I'll be right there."

I've never won the lottery. I don't win contests, drawings, or raffles. But somehow, miraculously , the 2 best Grandmas on the planet are mine! How it happened, I can't say. All I can do is be grateful. Come to think of it, on our trip home to Texas and Nebraska, we've been surrounded by quite a few wonderful Grandmas.                         "Grandmothers are just antique little girls."  ~Author Unknown "Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete."  ~Marcy DeMaree "There's no place like home except Grandma's."  ~Author Unknown "Grandmother-grandchild relationships are simple.  Grandmas are short on criticism and long on love."  ~Author Unknow n "A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television."   ~Author Unknown "A grandmother pretends she doesn't know who you are on Halloween."   ~Erma ...

It starts with the phrase, "Okay, jammies on!" Next we hear one great yawn. A groan or two will naturally follow. "Gulp," as the the milk goes down with a swallow. A bedtime story is read allowed Of bears and bunnies and birds on a cloud.   "Goodnight mommy. Goodnight Aunt Beth. "Goodnight Uncle Eddie," he takes a short breath. "Goodnight Ironman, and Spiderman too." (Pet fish after all deserve a proper adieu.) "Good night dear Jesus, and thanks for my mom." Finally he's tucked in, and all is calm. And the final sound, makes barely a noise. Just silent dreams, and a whisper, "Goodnight, sweet boys."

I am a 3rd generation "Lincolnite." That means, like both my parents, and all my grandparents, I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. We have an odd camaraderie in this part of the state. Recognized nationally for only our football team and being the home of Warren Buffet, I get some strange reactions when I tell people I'm from Nebraska. Specifically, I remember once as a little girl on vacation in Colorado. A woman from a different state asked me where I was from, and when I said "Nebraska," she replied with, "What state is that in?" But if you are from Nebraska, specifically the Lincoln area, you'll find that we have very strong feelings about our home. Pla mor Ballroom, O Street, Lee's Chicken, Pioneers Park, the State Fair, the stadium, the Hay Market, and the Capitol Building, are all things that you could mention to any of us, and we would immediately light up with recognition and pride.  I've been away from my Lincoln home ...