The night before my bilateral mastectomy, I received this email from my great-uncle Marlowe. Hildy has been feeling punk the last few days and went to bed early tonight. I was washing dishes when she
Read moreTag: Kim Harms
Long Hair and Answered Prayer
I was eight months pregnant with my first child when we met on a hot July day. Sitting beside Marti at a company outing, my beach ball belly eliminating all chances of finding a comfortable
Read moreEmpty Swingsets: Grieving Life’s Inevitable Changes
The swings were empty, and I was close to tears. A wooden playset was about to make me cry. It was ridiculous really. We only lived in the house for six months. (It was an
Read moreHow a Bunch of Teenage Boys Unexpectedly Cured My Heartache
(I need to preface this with a short note. Today, January 20, is the 2nd anniversary of my breast cancer diagnosis. Hard anniversaries bring heartache. And today I will remember the phone call that left
Read moreWhen You Give of Yourself and God Gives Back
“He lives right over there. Do you want me to go get him?” My heart leapt to my throat as I thought, “Really Lord? Is this for real?” As I watched the Mission to Haiti
Read moreI Am Not Enough, But I’m Thankful for the One Who Is
I am not enough To undo my mistakes, to answer my own prayers To make myself compassionate when I simply don’t care. To give joyfully each time to love those I don’t like, To succeed
Read moreWhen Cancer Pushed Me Out of the Boat and Into the Water
When you pass through the waters I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2 The image of water was a big deal to me during my cancer year. The power. The tranquility. The danger. The beauty.
Read more10 Things I Hope for My Boys as They Enter High School
Every time I drive past the high school building looming by the cornfields on the outskirts of town, my palms start sweating. Maybe because my high school friends scarred me for life by making me watch Children of
Read moreThe Vietnam War Gave My Brother His Name
Keith. That’s the name of my dad’s best boyhood friend. It’s also my brother’s name. My brother carries Keith’s name because Keith Kahlstorf was only allowed to carry it for a short time. The Vietnam
Read more6 Things Every Dad Should Know About His Daughter
Dear Dads, I don’t have a daughter, but I am one. And this list of 6 Things Every Dad Should Know About His Daughter is inspired by my experience. 1. She is paying close attention to
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