With all the natural disasters we’ve seen in 2017, I’m re-thinking the topic of hope. Not that I have abandoned its importance, but rather thinking how it presents itself and how we react to it. All this reflection has led me to believe hope exists in layers. Layer One: The everyday expression of hope. We …
Nothing is the same. Not even the joy of retail therapy. Too much has changed, coloring my world from a different viewpoint – leaving confusion in the “What do I do now?” question. This week, I tried to go shopping – but failed. It is not the same. Without Deb and our usual routine, I …
He was a beautiful young man – Native American, tall and proud of his heritage. An athlete, a musician, a college student – gifted in so many areas. Then someone murdered him and dumped his beautiful body into the Kansas River. A hate crime? Certainly. Justice was never served. The perpetrator was never caught. We …
On a cool fall day – as the leaves began changing their seasonal clothes, I joined a friend for Sunday service in a country church. The white clapboard exterior adorned with an iron bell, calling the community to gather. An open door – both figuratively and in reality. All welcome. All embraced. Picture the TV …
This post first appeared a year ago – a favorite of my readers. I post it again, hoping you will receive twice the enjoyment. A year ago, I happened to be on the deck as a tree unloaded its entire leaf burden. It was as if God said, “It’s 3:24 on the date I created. …
A few weeks ago, I finished reading “Loud and Clear” – a compilation of columns by Anna Quindlen. She was my favorite journalist for many years – a writer who could force us to think yet remain approachable. With each column, I reminded myself – I should have been a journalist like Anna. I should …
“It just takes time,” the experts say. “Time heals all wounds.” I’m sure those statements reflect truth. The passage of time DOES ease some of the sharpness of grief. Time allows us to ponder what has happened and leads us to a new perspective about life: How important it is to love those around us …
It is the season of mums – that glorious coloring of perennial happiness. Each year, I plant and nurture a variety of chrysanthemums. These are the plants I prune in the spring when everything else yearns to bloom. When late September and early October creep onto my calendar, these will be the plants that greet …
They swooped into the ICU, a gaggle of church women – loud, excited, demanding. Their leader shouted, “I believe in a God of miracles.” So do I. Shut up! They swarmed into a circle, grabbed hands and entreated God to do something NOW – to bring back to wholeness my precious friend. Certain that raw …
How wonderful that in the middle of August’s dog days we find a spark of fun! School supplies are on sale. I remember shopping at TG&Y with Mom, imagining what the new school year might bring. Would this be the year she would buy the box of 64 crayons with the sharpener on the back? …