One of the greatest joys of parenting five mini-humans is to watch as they transform into older siblings. Even if they spent years being an older sibling, the new life brings out a different part of their being. Our four-year-old is getting to be a big sister for the first time and there is certainly …
An oft quoted Robert Frost poem says: “Two roads diverged in a woods – and I took the one less traveled.” I’ve always took this to tout the importance of making your own way in the world and not following the crowd, but I have to admit that there are not many times in my …
As we waited to welcome our daughter into the world, I was surprised at how much of the pre-op I didn’t remember from my older daughter’s birth. Then I realized it was because we didn’t spend much time in that curtained room. As we waited and waited and waited, I remember thinking, “This isn’t what …
This school year we have a high schooler, a middle schooler, an elementary schooler, a preschooler, and an infant. We are parenting every division of school and development. While it may seem overwhelming (I mean five is a lot of mini-humans), there is a lot of joy in being able to see the breadth and …
Tuesday marked one month of time together with our newborn. One month…one moon cycle…one calendar page…four weeks. How can time go so quickly and so slowly all at once? A month seemed like such a long time while I was pregnant, but with her in my arms it seems like a short time. Even though …
When our four-year-old was little, there was a family call and response. We would say “Power Up!” and she would promptly bring both of her arms up, make muscles and give us the cutest, concentrated face. This became a thing even before she was talking and it was often at the dinner table that we …
This morning our son started his first day of second grade. Although he has had many first days of school, this one was different. Maybe it was because he looks so much older now since his baby sister arrived. Maybe it’s because I remember second grade and I know he will too. But I think …
August has always marked an exciting mile marker. It was the month Willie and I renewed our commitment to serve the community through therapy dog visits. When Willie was a puppy, a trained explained to us that the German Shepherd part of him would not be as content if he didn’t have a job or …
Today was the day we had in our heads since January of this year. It is the day we were given as our daughter’s due date. Although we knew that she would join our family sooner than her due date, there is something about reaching this day with her here that causes me to pause …
Delivered on August 17, 2022 to SC Senate Medical Affairs Committee Good morning! I am the Reverend Merianna Harrelson. I am the Pastor of Garden of Grace United Church of Christ on Atlas Road in Southeast Columbia. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you all this morning on this crucial issue involving my own …
