Author Archives: Syra Ruehle

Birth Story (It’s a boy!)

Esther has granted me the gift of reliving the experience of giving birth through her.  It’s so much easier as a grandmother, but the joy and the love and all the overwhelming feelings are just as wonderful as they were each of the six times I birthed my own children.  Tears and smiles come soContinue reading “Birth Story (It’s a boy!)”

Ohio Trip

I went out to Ohio for my spring break with nesting instincts at an all-time high.  I planned on setting up the baby room, cleaning the house from top to bottom, and filling their freezer with home-cooked freezer meals.  I also hoped that the baby might come early, but I’m back home now without seeingContinue reading “Ohio Trip”

More Basil Stories

After a long three-day weekend snot fest Mike and I escaped the sick kids and went out to lunch. Over pork belly tacos I told him, “I like hanging out with you.” He said, “Am I still your favorite even though I always see you hanging out with that young, good-looking guy?” I leaned inContinue reading “More Basil Stories”

Christmas Waltz Party

I whirled around the terracotta floors of my great room in Ed’s arms and enjoyed my evening of bliss.  Mike doesn’t dance, so when Esther asked me for a Christmas party with waltzing and formal wear, Ed was the first person I invited.  He looked dashing in his tuxedo, bow tie, cummerbund, knickerbockers, and knee-highContinue reading “Christmas Waltz Party”

Basil’s Shoes

Basil made me hyperventilate last week after our first adult Irish dance class on Tuesday.  I signed myself up for classes last December when I was having a bad day.  I told Kate, who answered the phone, “I’m an overweight, out-of-shape, middle-aged woman.” She replied, “Aren’t we all?” and I felt I had found myContinue reading “Basil’s Shoes”

Xenia is Staying!

Esther and John Ben stayed in Texas with his folks for a week before coming home on Christmas Eve, but first, they put Xenia on the connecting plane to Albuquerque.  The first week of having her home was great fun as the kids reestablished their place in the pack.  They all fought Xenia and eachContinue reading “Xenia is Staying!”

2023 In Review

Dear friends and family,                                                                                                       Merry Christmas! We have all sorts of big news from 2023! Esther’s boyfriend John Ben Berry proposed to her over the 2022 Christmas break. Mike, the four youngest kids and I spent New Year’s in Albuquerque and decided to move back. We bought a beautiful house that was once aContinue reading “2023 In Review”

Skulls Are Not Roses

Xenia is coming home in less than a week!  With no time left, I made it my afternoon mission to seek out and buy phyllo dough to make baklava.  Xenia’s walnut allergies are so bad that I can’t use my kitchen to chop walnuts when she is home.  I missed the Middle Eastern store onContinue reading “Skulls Are Not Roses”

Confusion Makes Good Comedy

The two men were smiling when they said goodbye to me and walked out the front door.  I paused the Hallmark Christmas movie, put my pen down next to the stack of Christmas cards, and stood up to see them out.  Mike came in from the courtyard a few minutes later and told me howContinue reading “Confusion Makes Good Comedy”