The Music City

I spent last weekend in Nashville... and I'm exhausted!!

We kicked off the weekend with a family reunion. Five of my Winkel cousins, my brother, and I ran the Country Music Rock & Roll Half Marathon together on Saturday. We survived the distance

...AND the weather!!


But the very best part was getting to visit, to catch up with one another, to know each other again. It didn't take long to remember why I loved running around with them all as a young girl...

Each one has turned into a remarkable adult.


On Sunday, I reconnected with a dear friend over coffee. I haven't seen Jessica in nearly 7 years. We spent a few short hours catching up with one another. Sharing our joys and hopes for the future.

She is just as kind and loving and beautiful as I remember.


Jessica happened to suggest a Starbucks in Brentwood, TN. Just a few blocks from the office building of one of my very favorites: Dave Ramsey. It wasn't nearly as exciting as it would have been to visit during office hours, but it still made me smile.

A big thanks to my brother who was kind enough to assist with the drive-by...


It was a wonderful weekend in the Music City.

Grandma's Girl

A few weeks ago I told one of the girls I coach, "my Grandma can hit harder than that!"

It was just a figure of speach.
I was trying to make a point.
I didn't really mean that my Grandma could hit the volleyball harder.

But, it got me thinking about my Grandma...

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my Grandma Winkel. We lived in a nearby city, and she babysat for me a lot. As a young girl, we had our own routine. She knew little things about me... that to a 4 year-old is the entire world.

She knew that my favorite color was orange. She always cut my sandwiches in squares. She always handed me peanuts in the tin cap. We took naps together. She let me sit on her lap in the car. She knew that I couldn't live without my blanket... or my thumb. She knew that Alvin and the Chipmunks was my favorite record, and that Sesame Street was my favorite TV Show.

She knew me...

I was Grandma's girl.


As I have grown older, and reflected on this early relationship, I feel special and loved. I was not her only grandchild or even her only granddaughter. She had 9 children and many more grandchildren than that.

But she made me feel like a favorite.

My Grandma may not be able to hit a volleyball harder than the girl I was coaching. But she is tough. As I was saying good-bye to her after a visit a few years back, she gave me this piece of advice...

"Now, be good. But if you can't be good, be safe."

It made me smile then.
It still makes me smile.

I'm still Grandma's girl.