I'm 46 years old, and I think I’ve figured out how to be a mother. It’s not bad timing considering that I’ve launched only three out of the home, and my youngest is 10 years old. I still have time to keep trying, and many lessons have been learned. The other...
Pondering our need to model both good behavior at Mass and a good attitude about attending Mass for our children. Do you have a child who hates going to Mass on Sunday? Do you dread sounding the “One hour till we leave for Mass alarm” because of the grumbling? Is...
The rooms in my home are quiet, the only sound being the typing of my fingers on my keyboard and the occasional yawn of a dog by my side. My college students, home for the summer, are still asleep. My husband has taken three of the kids fishing, and the rest are out...
I’m walking in a new role lately of daughter and parent to my father as he ages, and the stakes are high as I realize my children are watching this process. Not every parent/child relationship is easy. Clearly that is an understatement, as I ponder the different...
It’s spring-cleaning time in the Eberhard home and that means everything from windows to deep freezers. Spring acts more like a natural New Year’s resolution time for me than January. There is something about the rebirth of nature timed so well with the resurrection...
I looked in the mirror this morning in wonder at the woman I saw. I knew her face and features, but something in her eyes was different, a newness not there before. Ahh, I thought, there you are. You see, this is not the first time I have had this moment, a moment...
I've been reflecting lately on Mary’s role as a mother. Specifically on her role as a mother during the preaching years of Jesus and after His ascension into heaven, as her mothering years did not stop. Indeed, perhaps these were her mightiest years as she formed the...
The other morning, in the early haze of dawn, I asked my husband how I could support him spiritually. He was quiet for a while and then said, “What you are doing is enough.” Not to be dissuaded from helping my husband get to heaven, I thought of the myriad choices...
As a mom, I seek to use Mama Mary’s words as I parent. I figure that they are a pretty good model for what should come out of my mouth. Recently, I shared a beautiful parenting moment with a couple of my teenagers. As they sat on the couch, late at night, at the foot...
I’ve been reflecting a lot about the behind-the-scenes efforts of raising a Catholic family. Since it is winter, and I have been hunkered in my home, I am noticing all the little ways we have nurtured our Catholic faith through environment. It is a delicate balance...
