100 Words

We Can Do Hard Things

January 24th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Classroom sign my son made for his students.

I’ve survived hard things such as traveling through heavy snow only to reach deserted, ice-covered roads as well as caring for young cousins in a foreign country where I didn’t know the language. (The children didn’t either.)

I used to think that hard things were newsworthy or unusual or perhaps scary like the two mentioned above. In other words, hard things were HARD. Now I know better.

Each of us has our own, particular, everyday hard. A few hard things my family accomplished during 2025:

I sent over 100 Christmas cards, most purchased before Christmas 2020. Sending cards was just “too hard” previous years.

My husband cooked an enormous pork roast that had lingered in my freezer. Every time I saw it, I thought, “That’s too hard for today.”

I scheduled long-overdue doctor’s appointments. It had been “too hard” to clear my schedule and navigate the appointment maze.

Our family made nine exhausting, round trips to North Carolina via I-95 and I-85. Not to mention the I-40 nightmare.

What is hard for 2026? Sticking to The Mission. (See here.)

What hard things are you accomplishing?

Decisions

Is This Part of the Mission?

January 17th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Months ago, my husband and I went to a community walking event. We are part of our county walking club, and it seemed like a good way to spend a few retirement hours. It wasn’t. As we walked across the parking lot after leaving the event early, we made a decision. Before undertaking activities that seemed enticing, we would ask ourselves Is this part of the mission.

What is my mission? Loving the people in my life, especially the youngest and oldest. Writing projects that have been on hold for years. Some are pressing. Others are very pressing. It’s been two years since I was asked to write a sequel that could have been completed in months. Obligations and non-obligations have pulled me away.

What is my husband’s post-retirement mission? Supporting my work and getting our thirty-three-year-old home ready for sale. He’s checked off a few things.

Long ago, a friend said, “I feel the breath of sixty on my neck.” Well, forty years later, I am feeling the breath of seventy on my neck. It’s past time to define the mission and stick to it.

So, what is the mission?

Book Recommendations, Parenting

Books For Our New Year

January 10th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

What’s your calculus teacher like?
Mollie

He’s obviously a last born.
College-aged Son

I’ve read many parenting books over the years, but two non-parenting books have been among the most helpful—The Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman and In My Father’s House by Corrie ten Boom.

My boys were in high school when we read The Birth Order Book as a family. It was engaging enough to keep their interest and the information stayed with them as seen from the quotes above. What did I learn? Helpful information I still use but most importantly, middle children stuff their thoughts and feelings. I should have known because I’m a middle child.

What did I remember from Corrie ten Boom’s autobiography? A simple life lived for others affects children profoundly—in the best way. I also learned wise answers to the hard questions children ask. (See here and here for more.)

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman is another good New Year’s read.

God's Faithfulness, Relationships

Auld Lang Syne

January 3rd, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

2024 was a hard year as my family walked alongside hurting loved ones. 2025 was worse. More loved ones struggled. Two left this earth. Unimaginable hardships. Sharp dips in my own health.

This led to reduced Christmas activities. One exception? We sang more, and we’re still singing.

Another exception? I sent over one hundred Christmas cards. I haven’t sent cards since 2020. One result? A phone call from a faraway high school friend I hadn’t spoken with in decades. She wanted to hear my voice. We talked from 8:00 pm that Saturday night until 1:38 am the next morning.

Windchimes my friend sent after our conversation.

On January 2nd, my husband, son, and I sang Auld Lang Syne—translated days gone by in standard English. It was a first. Our holiday songbooks are usually packed away before January. Auld Lang Syne is a Scottish song. The first line means for the sake of old times.

2024 and 2025 were years of Auld Lang Syne. Because of our shared history—for the sake of old times—we connected with and walked alongside dear ones we hadn’t seen much or recently.

We’ll take a cup of kindness yet for Auld Lang Syne.

Memories, Parenting, Photos

Savoring Our Photos

December 27th, 2025
Mollie T. Cox

Was it worth the time and expense of making detailed photo albums for my sons? Another friend wondered the same about her grandchildren’s albums.

I decided the answer was yes. Choosing and arranging photos meant I not only reviewed my sons’ lives from birth through high school, but I also savored the memories and gained insight into our family.

Years later, one son told me he explained his life to new friends by showing them his photo albums.

The whole point of taking pictures is so that you don’t have to explain things with words.
Elliot Erwitt Documentary Photographer

I wished we had reviewed our photos on a regular basis. We might have gained more insight into our family history. Memories might be sharper. I don’t remember that were sad words to hear when a family event had been important to me.

There is nothing more touching to me than a family picture where everyone is trying to look his or her best, but you can see what a mess they all are.
Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies

Perhaps I’ll review our 2025 photos on New Year’s Day. Perhaps you will, too.