In September 1995, my parents began running the family’s newly acquired lodge on the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway. My husband, Randy, our two children, Matthew and Katie, and I lived about an hour away at the time. I drove up every day to help with lodge business. As the parkway’s…
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore
— Helen Baldwin
Helen Baldwin lives in Jefferson, North Carolina, with her husband, Randy plus their two dogs, a cat, and untold wild critters outside. Their firstborn’s family, including two delightful children, lives just down the road, so she enjoys lots of MomMom time. Helen and Randy have a rental cabin and bees, among numerous other endeavors, so they’ll never be bored. Life took a drastic twist in 1997 when their third baby, Jeffrey, was diagnosed with SMA type 1. Although their active stint with SMA was brief, Helen hopes that sharing and connecting experiences after Jeffrey’s death, usually with optimism, helps others endure the unpredictability of loss and recovery.
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As a college freshman pursuing a degree in special education, I assisted in two nearby elementary classrooms. The students all had moderate cognitive challenges. I remember a few even now: Roger, with his suspenders and his family’s pigs (Fred and Ethel), and Tina and Richard, adorable twins. All three had…
My husband, Randy, and I moved our family to the North Carolina mountains in the final hours of 1995. Adventures in our old farmhouse commenced immediately. We considered a newsworthy blizzard and the escape of two flying squirrels from the wall into the dining room ample excitement for a long…
I learned my vision needed assistance in fifth grade. Although I unwittingly squinted at the chalkboard, my report cards never indicated a problem. I was a model student because I adored my teacher, Mrs. Chandler. I didn’t want to disappoint my teacher parents, either. They never needed to prod me…
I’ve mentioned before that I don’t always know what I’ll cover in this column when the time comes. It sure eases the anxiety level when I have a clue, though. Our SMA assignment with our third baby, Jeffrey, led me to appreciate “angel intervention” in all facets of…
“Wicked” is the musical movie superstar of the moment. I loved “The Wizard of Oz” growing up, and while I haven’t seen the wildly popular adaptation on stage or screen, it’s impossible not to know at least some of the music. Stephen Schwartz, composer of both the score and lyrics…
Our baby Jeffrey, who was diagnosed with SMA in July 1997, made the most of his brief earthly stint. I’ve mentioned before that our SMA duty, which lasted mere weeks between Jeffrey’s diagnosis and his death, enabled us to experience prayer and faith in ways that words can’t describe.
It’s somehow already time for Thanksgiving, the designated day for us to give thanks for our blessings. Ideally, we should designate a few more days each year to doing that — like, say, the other 364 — but one day a year is better than none. I try to give…
I consider myself an optimist, at least most of the time. Life has hurled more than a few lemons our way over the years; thankfully, I like lemonade. In 1997, when my husband, Randy, lost his job mere weeks before our third baby’s due date, I felt like we’d been…
Incredibly, October is almost history. A month ago, our mountain county and others west of us here in North Carolina were left reeling from the surreal aftermath of Hurricane Helene, considered a once-in-a-thousand-year storm. Out of the proverbial ashes of incomprehensible destruction and heartbreak have risen untold examples of…
It’s closing in on three weeks since Hurricane Helene bullied her way into North Carolina. My husband, Randy, and I live in Ashe County, in the northwestern corner of the state, about 125 miles northeast of Asheville. Thankfully, the damage we incurred from the catastrophic…
I’ve often said that it’s probably a good thing we don’t have a crystal ball. While sometimes it might be beneficial to know what lies ahead, if I could choose a magical power, I’d opt for a wiggly nose like Samantha on “Bewitched.” That said, I can think of plenty…
I don’t get sick often. If I feel somewhat draggy, echinacea tea usually works like a charm. When our first two children, Matthew and Katie, were born, exhaustion prevailed. I was mothering and teaching kindergarteners with orthopedic and other conditions, and I was married to a…
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