The children’s singer-lyricist Raffi first published the song in 1976. He’s got dozens of children’s tunes, but I know this one, “Brush Your Teeth,” by heart. I know it because my son introduced me to it during one of our visits to his little family. While putting his two-year-old daughter, Stella, to bed, he sings …
How are those New Year’s resolutions working? They aren’t, at least for most people. National Public Radio’s Morning Edition asked for stories (through January 8) from people who had given up on their New Year’s resolutions for 2024. “What was your resolution, how soon into the year did you give it up and why?” the program asked, …
Christmas 2023 is history, and now, how long will we keep those decorations up? Some abide by the tradition of displaying them until January 5th or 6th. Not at my house. Christmas decorations don’t survive more than a few days after the 25th when Lori directs me to assist her in storing them. And I …
I thought I heard a baby crying as I carefully descended the stairs. “Do you hear what I hear?” Lori must have read the question in my eyes as I glanced back at her. Pausing, I turned and stared at the doorknob in front of me. We were all in Harrogate, Tennessee, to celebrate Christmas. …
I was only five, maybe six, that Christmas Eve, circa 1960. My brother, Dougie, a year and a half older than me, was beside me. We were in our twin beds, squirming, fidgeting, futility, trying to fall asleep: quite the impossible order for two little brothers waiting on Santa and his reindeer to land on …