Jennifer Hansen
Stories by Jennifer
HEART & SOUL: Stress can be a friend, but it mustn’t move in
LITTLE ROCK — In a chance conversation last weekend, a woman next to me in line mentioned the stress of her administrative position in a medical office. Then she spoke longingly of her previous work in an emergency room, where “we just didn’t have this kind of stress.” Wow. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: 2 weeks of pasties, pudding and vistas
LITTLE ROCK — Several months ago, the opportunity to travel through Scotland and England for two weeks came my way. Even though I signed up and said yes, I didn’t believe it would really happen. Even after my 19-year-old volunteered to move home for two weeks to stay with her brother so I could go, I didn’t believe it would really happen. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Drying receipt was half-baked solution
LITTLE ROCK — It happened like this. During a trip to the superstore, I spotted a DVD my son had mentioned he liked. I hesitated only a second. It was on sale, I was short on ideas for his birthday, so I grabbed it. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: ‘Luckiest woman’ has seen the light
LITTLE ROCK — “What do you want to be when you grow up?” As recently as last week, I was still struggling with that one. Any answer I’ve come up with always seemed a little confining. There were so many things I’ve wanted to be and do. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Bygone world lives in our elders’ stories
LITTLE ROCK — I didn’t know I’d be the storykeeper. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: High school a rung on life’s tall ladder
LITTLE ROCK — What’s the best thing to tell your teen about life after high school? It’s this: Things will change. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Cardinal rule: Call it and grace will come
LITTLE ROCK — It happened like this: As soon as I woke up that cold Saturday morning, I thought how lovely it would be to have my morning coffee by a crackling fire. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Thunder-stricken: Duke to the rescue
LITTLE ROCK — The storm slipped in gently. Unaware of the forecast, I paid no attention. When soft patter began tapping on the skylights in the living room, I headed to the kitchen to wash, dry and put things away, making just enough noise not to hear the tapping become driving rain. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Happiness: Doing, loving, anticipating
LITTLE ROCK — Stuff happens for a reason. Right? Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Tip, a dime; lesson learned - priceless
LITTLE ROCK — When I decided to stay in my college town the summer between sophomore and junior years, I found an apartment to share with two other students. Although my salary at the local TV station wouldn’t cover all my bills or all the fun I was going to have, I wasn’t worried. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Teen son triggers mom’s deep breath
LITTLE ROCK — It was what I’ve come to call a Breathe Deep moment. For the second time in a row, my teenage son had not answered me. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Dropped ball is part of learning to juggle
LITTLE ROCK — My almost 16-year-old son was certain I’d enjoy juggling as much as he does. So the other night he taught me the basics. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: First day of school leads a list of starts
LITTLE ROCK — And so it begins! Last week I celebrated my 15th first day of school. Amazing to think my kids and I have done this so many times. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: A picture not taken has story to tell, too
LITTLE ROCK — Last week, all hands were on deck. For the first time this summer, my two kids were home and so was Hanna, who has called our house home for the past three years. Read More »
HEART & SOUL: Fathers, Air Force gave them the shove
LITTLE ROCK — How many remarkable adults were less than remarkable teenagers? Quite a few. Now and then, it might be good for some of our kids to hear that. Read More »