For the last twenty years (or so), I’ve been in the habit of calling my parents every morning. It started when my husband I lived in a different state and life was turbulent and I just needed that three minute contact with Mom and Dad to help me settle.
When my mom was sick, it became an easy way for her to have some social interaction on the days I couldn’t get by to see her. It was a break for my dad. A chance for them both to talk to their grandchildren. Sometimes my sister would conference in as well, if she had time when the call was happening.
Now that Mom’s been gone a while, Dad and I still talk every morning. But with our weird times right now, our conversations go a lot like this. “What’s new in the world?” “Nothing here. You?” “Nope.”
We often then still manage to find ways to chat for fifteen or twenty minutes, but as I was sitting here trying to think of what breezy thing to say to y’all as an intro for the Sunday Edition, it’s all I could think of.
What’s new with you?
Nothing here.
And I guess, given the state of the world, maybe that’s good.
I hope you’re all staying healthy and safe. And that you’re able to keep your spirits up and remember that we serve a God who is in control.
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Last Week on Inspy Romance
On Monday, Toni Shiloh talked about heroes who cook!
On Tuesday, Valerie Comer took us on a ride into the sunset.
On Wednesday, Elizabeth Maddrey asked, “What’s in a name?”
On Thursday, Tara Grace Ericson introduced herself and raised a glass to new friends.
On Friday, Valerie Bodden talked about trusting God’s timing.
On Saturday, Staci Stallings showed us how her books speak into her own life.
Next Week on Inspy Romance
Monday: Janet Ferguson
Tuesday: Hallee Bridgeman
Wednesday: Kimberly Rose Johnson
Thursday: Heather Gray
Friday: Andrea Boyd
Saturday: Lindi Peterson
New Releases
April 2020
The Cowboy’s Reluctant Bride (Saddle Springs Romance 6) by Valerie Comer
Hill Country Redemption (Hill Country Cowboys) by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Second Chance Sweethearts by Liwen Y. Ho (re-release)
Second Chance Love (Pinecrest 1) by Merrillee Whren
Not Until This Day (Hope Springs 6) by Valerie M. Bodden
May 2020
Hope for Tomorrow (Hope Ranch 2) by Elizabeth Maddrey
The Trouble With Love (Faith & Fortune 1) by Toni Shiloh
A Date for Daisy (Bloom Sisters 1) by Tara Grace Ericson
Whatever Happens Next (Everyday Love 4) by Jaycee Weaver
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Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
My mum and I used to have a relationship where when I phoned her I received the neighbourhood update. Coming from a very anglo background we never really shared feelings and it took years (and when under pressure she still reverts to the nupdate) for me to have her feel comfortable with hugging and sharing what she was feeling. One of the challenges for the corona-chaos is to help her through that fear and social isolation. So far with the help of my brother when visiting, she has seen me on a zoom meeting which cheered her up no end, from the conversation about listening to audiobooks she discovered her local library, though closed, is still delivering books to members and she has rediscovered the animals at the zoo. In sharing what I am doing online and in the apartment I am giving her ideas and showing her that I am happy and choosing to stay safe at home and thankfully she is following suit.
I love that you’ve found ways to keep in touch and help her not feel so isolated!
I’m caregiver to my Mom, so we have conversations that range from things like what we’re going to do to what we’ll have for dinner. There are times we go for a few hours without saying anything at all. We’ll tell each other if we’re going to make cards or if we’re going to read, or whatever. I don’t have to worry about her going out, since she doesn’t drive, and I do all of our shopping. Sometimes, it’s just knowing that someone else is in the house that makes all the difference!
Physical presence is such a big thing! Even though sometimes I feel like our house is a little crowded and shoo the boys outside to play, I love knowing they’re near (and usually end up on the deck to watch )
Happy Sunday morning!
To you as well!
Blessings to you and your family this week ❤️
Thanks! To yours as well!
That’s so sweet that you call your Dad each day. I usually check in with my parents every few days. I do miss a good hug from my Mom during this crazy time.
I miss hugs too! And I’m not usually a higher.
I understand as I have called my parents every morning for years and since my daddy passed in November I have continued to talk with mama every day but it hard to come up with new things to tell her. Blessings
I know Dad appreciates just hearing my voice most days – I suspect your mom is the same.
Blessings to you and your Family!
And to yours!
Mum use to ring my brother every week when he was in uni it was set for about 8pm every Monday night.
I have to say my garden is getting under control some of the bushes didn’t get pruned in the past few years so have started on a few of them. My bin is already full and green waste isn’t till next week. I could put it out every week. Recycling I could put out once every 2 – 3 months.
Having someone ring every day would be great especially if they live alone. (I would take once or twice a week but unless I ring most calls I get are spam, wrong numbers or things like professional calls like medical, etc) Last call I had was a wrong number and we chatted about half an hour! I can’t actually remember when the last one to just chat to me was but it was over a month ago.
Yay for gardening!
I wish I lived in the same country as you so I could phone you now and then to catch up. I’d love that. And I love that you chatted with a wrong number – I’ve done that!
Hugs!
I talk to my parents once a week. Usually, not much has changed, sometimes they tell me the same story they’ve told me the previous weeks, but it’s always nice to hear their voices.
Mom used to retell stories all the time. Sometimes the details would change :) it got to be fun to see how or if it’d be different.
Here’s to another week of healthy boredom, family hugs and fervent prayers for those infected and the workers developing tests, vaccines and care protocols.
We are another week closer to when the coronavirus goes from medical to historical, LOL!
Healthy boredom. Love it. But yes – looking forward to being over the hump with this!
That is nice that you talk to your dad every day. What I wouldn’t give to be able to do that but they are both gone now for quite a while. I am blessed to see my daughter most every day and the grandkids.
I’m so glad you get to see your grandkids! And yes – there were days when I would think about skipping calling Mom, and now that she’s gone I’m glad I didn’t.