Category Archives: Family Life

In Memoriam: Betty Mason Arthurs

I met Betty Arthurs around 1990 at the Tempe Christian Writers Club. A friendly extrovert, she encouraged the writers by pointing out the excellent passages in their writing and making helpful suggestions for improvements. Another member of TCWC invited several … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Death and Dying, Family Life, Family Stories, Marriage, married 50 years, Remembering, Writing | Tagged | 7 Comments

Life Lessons Learned from my Parents

Mom passed away in 2004, Dad in 2013. I miss them every day. In this season between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, I would like to honor my parents by enumerating the ways they made me what I am. My … Continue reading

Posted in Family Life, Family Stories, Father's Day, Fathers, Life Lessons, Mother's Day, mothers, Parenting | Tagged | 7 Comments

Fathers to the Rescue by Betty Mason Arthurs

    Fathers to the Rescue by Betty Mason Arthurs Father’s Day is here and it’s a time to pay tribute to our fathers and their positive influence in our lives. I also love the stories about fathers in the … Continue reading

Posted in Faithfulness, Family Life, Fathers, Greatest love ever, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

A Dad, a Daughter and a Butterfly by Betty Mason Arthurs

A Dad, a Daughter and a Butterfly by Betty Mason Arthurs   Father’s Day is coming and I love stories about fathers who have been involved in their children’s lives, bringing strength and loving care into every moment. My pastor, … Continue reading

Posted in children, Christian Living, Family Life, Fathers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Happy Birthday, Mother

Today is my mother’s 92nd birthday, the first one since her death four months ago. Today I am acutely reminded of my loss. I will be glad to get through this day, to have checked off one more “first” without her. … Continue reading

Posted in Aging, Bible, change, Christian Living, Death and Dying, Faith, Faithfulness, Family Life, Grace, Grief, Jesus, Mom | 4 Comments

Diamond Ring and Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs

Diamond Ring and Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs Christmas time brings both happy and painful memories. Today, I share one of a father’s love and his gift. A father kept a memorable gift tucked away in the top drawer of … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Christmas music, Doing Life Together, Faith, Family Life, Family Stories, Fathers, Gifts, Greatest love ever, Grief, Jesus, loneliness on holidays, Love, Parenting, Uncategorized, When life seems too much | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

The ITCH that almost stole Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs

  The ITCH That Almost Stole Christmas by Betty Mason Arthurs In the 1970s my husband and I along with our two young children lived in western New York farm country. A week before Christmas, John and our neighbor Junior … Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, Family Life, Family Stories, Nostalgia | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving Interview by Betty Mason Arthurs

Thanksgiving Interview by Betty Mason Arthurs One of America’s greatest celebrations is in a few days, Thanksgiving. It’s a time we remember the Pilgrims who came to the new world to escape persecution for their religion. On that special day, … Continue reading

Posted in America, Celebrations, Family Life, Family Stories, Grandparenting, Holiday, Thanksgiving, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Why and How to Read to your Baby…by ARHuelsenbeck

All five of my children knew how to read by the time they entered kindergarten. Are they incredibly brilliant? Yes. But more than anything else, I attribute their early grasp of a complicated but vital skill to the fact that … Continue reading

Posted in Babies, Books, Family Life, Learning New Skills, Parenting, Reading | Tagged , | 4 Comments

The Tides of Change

One of my favorite vacation places is the beach. There’s something soothing about the waves lapping the shore, the roar of the ocean, and the sun kissing my skin. The tide washes up new treasures every morning. It reminds me … Continue reading

Posted in change, Faithfulness, Family Life, Grief, Life Transitions, ocean, Uncategorized, When life seems too much | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments