My first vivid memory of selfish behavior was in first grade. The classroom was dark-we were supposed to be outside playing. I crept into the room and went straight for my teacher’s desk. There I found the small box containing paper boy and girl cut outs. I quickly shuffled the cut outs around until…… Continue reading Umerited Favor
With great expectation he asked and believed that his mother was listening. When we arrived at his birthday party, he enthusiastically pointed out one package and told me he knew what it was. “How?” I asked him. His response was simple…“Because I showed my mom what I wanted and it was this shape!” His words…… Continue reading Close Enough to Ask
He was a sitting duck. Alone. Separated from the pack, and always at risk of attack. His name was David. I was 8 years old when we first met. We were grade school classmates. I can’t remember all the details of his story, and now in hindsight, I’m not sure I can remember much more than…… Continue reading Motivated by Hurt
The alarm had been set, but what woke me were his panicked words… “Alyssa, it’s 6:00am. You’re late.” I loathe mornings. Really. My body requires extra time to “warm up”, and my enthusiasm hibernates until sometime after 10am. I was scheduled to meet a friend at 6:15 that morning. There was no way I could look presentable, grab…… Continue reading Wake Up Call to Love
His question was innocent…motivated by an authentic curiosity. My hesitation was surprising…motivated by a lack of introspection. On a rare occasion, I have an “open window” with my teenage son. Studies and sports, appointments and chores, these consume most of his time. This night, however, was different. With an unusual margin of time, He sat next to me as…… Continue reading Powerful Influence
It eludes me. No formula will explain the mystery. I can wait for three minutes, water running continuously, before it turns from cold to hot. Although I only have the hot water handle turned on, freezing water flows from the tap. After a few months of living here, I determined to take the win in…… Continue reading Lean Into the Turn
Not long ago, I was invited to speak at a women’s retreat for one of our church campuses. I wanted to be super spiritual and say I’d pray about it, but mostly my heart and mouth were long past saying yes, without the praying. Let me clarify, I stepped out of my job last year…… Continue reading Letting Go and Falling…Forward?
Alignment: proper or desirable coordination or relation of components. When your car needs an alignment, it pulls to one side instead of moving forward in a straight trajectory. Braces are used to achieve proper alignment of teeth. A level is used to assure pictures are hung with equal distribution-so as not to be catawampus. In…… Continue reading In Need of an Alignment
Racing heart, wide eyes, and hands clinched, I watched him jump. It was the first time he had attempted swimming in the deep water. At a distance, I watched him reluctantly enter the water and swim with all he had. After reminding myself to breathe, my hands began to clap and I couldn’t help but…… Continue reading through the eyes of the Beholder
Two of my three children are in their teenage years. Enough said. Post complete. Right? No. I’ll put some flesh on my thoughts. The most common pattern I see, in this teenage season, is a strong need to retreat. Once home from school, it’s no surprise if I don’t see their faces until I ring…… Continue reading Stood Up
Alyssa DeLosSantos 