“Crazy! Mercy! WOW!” Tears falling unchecked, the young husband sitting on the grass peered intently at the carrot in his hand, the fruit tray beside him, the sky overhead and the surrounding trees. He absorbed what he saw as though for the first time. His wife had just given him …
Halloween. I’ve tiptoed around the unholy holiday for years, decades even; some years just choosing to be away from home on October 31st; some hiding in the basement, and others, joining in with what everyone else was doing. Trying to find the fun in it; trying to ignore the very …
After years of teaching journaling workshops, the regular habit has slipped away from me. Life is moving faster. I’m moving slower. Taking an hour at the end of each day to jot my thoughts and prayers simply rarely happens anymore. I’m poorer for that. Quiet reflection, pondering both simple and …
I attended an election debate last night. It’s the third one I’ve watched or attended in the last few weeks. With only a few days left in the Federal election campaign, I feel the urgency of prayerful consideration of my voting privilege. Across the country, people are wondering what’s next. …
An unexpected wave of nostalgia hits as I scrape the early frost off the windshield of my burgundy Impala. The fifteen-year old car will no longer be mine tomorrow. One or two signatures, a pat on the hood, a last drive up the road and it will officially belong to …
At a medical facility, one of my relatives was asked to say as many F words as possible in as short a time as possible. Startled by official sanction to release the four-letter word that may have previously more often crossed his mind than his lips, he started in. I …
In retrospect, I ought to have paid more attention when I first noticed the slight hiss in the basement. But it barely registered—until I went downstairs for something else, hours later. Who knew that a pin-sized hole in copper piping can cause a flood in three hours? The pilot of …
I spouted a mouthful of fake news at lunch the other day. To the grandchildren, no less. With a federal election pending, it seemed natural that the discussion around our table turned to politics. “Nana,” asked one of the children asked, “does God discipline bad kings?” “Well,” I said, “When …
Backpack-wearing students once again stroll the streets to their bus stops or classrooms. School buses roll the highways. Once more I walk alongside golden fields and amongst trees blushing red and gold; friend, grandchild or dog keeping pace. I love nearly everything about September. Always have. It tickles the senses. …
I wander into the kitchen, pour a half cup of popcorn kernels into the air popper, plug the thing in and wander out again. I’m distracted. I’m feeling sad. I’m hurting a bit. Just a bit, on my left forearm. Mostly, I’m wondering what I could have done differently in …
