Growing up, I hated having a summer birthday. My displeasure was rooted in the inability to have my classmates enjoy special treats, sing to me, and come to my birthday party. Getting people together for a summer birthday is comparable to herding cats. [And all the summer birthdays said amen!] While most children celebrated the…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
I am a bit sensitive when it comes to names. Pronouncing names right is important to me. If you grew up with my name, you might understand why. Since you didn’t, let me offer you a peek into my backstory. Growing up, I was the only Alyssa in my class, school, church, neighborhood, etc. I…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Birthdays are important. It’s my personal practice to make much of my loved one’s birthdays. We have birthday traditions I suspect will live on if my children have families of their own. We have donuts and chocolate milk in the morning, blow out candles and open gifts in the morning, and speak words of encouragement…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Before my dreams of being a lawyer, I wanted to be a singer. I had all the heart and zero stage fright. Forget that my “stage” was in an empty church. As a child, those details were inconsequential. Desire trumped rational. [Spoiler alert: I did not become a performer or a lawyer, but they were…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Relationships are tricky. There isn’t one formula or blueprint that works for all relationships. Flexibility is key but making proper adjustments within the boundaries of each relationship can be grueling. It’s easy to give myself benefit of doubt and assume I’m good at adapting, but I know that’s a little overreaching. I like things to…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Talking on the phone is one of my least favorite activities of all times. As in, I want to hide when my phone starts ringing [not exaggerating, but please don’t feel the need to test this theory]. Okay, that’s not entirely true. As a teen, I’d stretch that wall-mounted phone cord beyond its limits and…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Dear Daughter, From your earliest days, you were marked for leadership. Your tenacity to master skills and complete tasks was unmatched. What I used to call independence, I now understand as leadership and determination. Your fierce loyalty to your favorite things [your blanket, stuffed animal, and sippy cup], was reflective of the passion that continues…… Continue reading Dear Daughter: Words to Live By
Proper table settings make me nervous. While I distinctly remember the lesson in Brownies, I also remember panic moving in simultaneously. Did the spoon and knife go together? Where did the napkin belong? What if I didn’t get the place setting right? I promise I’m not exaggerating. Setting the table sends me googling and worrying…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Depending on your definition of a morning person, I may or may NOT be one. I [might] prefer keeping talking to a minimum while my brain wakes up and my limbs respond to its corresponding signals. In the morning, I [might] drag around with a cup of hot tea giving silent smiles in response to…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Relationships are both work and reward. Without the work {which often consists of an unmatched level of vulnerability and humility}, the reward of growing deeper in love and compassion is often missed. I have experienced a lot of “fringe-ships” over the years. I’m generally close enough to know just enough to feel like I’m known,…… Continue reading Moment of Truth Monday
Alyssa DeLosSantos 