“Look, there’s a dragonfly.” He points into the water. We’ve been hiking deep along less traveled paths. We’ve climbed up and over even as the rain drips off hoods and jeans turn dark and cling to legs. I’ve thought about Lynnette’s words as she held the bear skull up. “Eyes in front, likes to hunt. […]
For Those Who Walk in Darkness
It shatters my slumber, the voice through the monitor. “Gramma. Gramma!” It’s still dark. Sigh. Why can’t she pull her own blanket up or reach the pillow from the floor? I scootch up high and swing legs over and around the cat. I palm the walls, slide heel-toe down narrow carpeted steps, careful not to […]
Book Review: The BibleDude Community Commentary Series: Philippians
The panorama from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain is breathtaking. Blue meets blue as Lake Superior stretches out to kiss the horizon. Different platforms give magnificent views of the surrounding countryside–forest and hills and rugged rock. And as I sat on the edge, I was in awe of the beauty. I felt very, very small–and […]
Crystal Blue Persuasion
Grace has brought a blue-topped spiral notebook as well as two big containers—one of markers, one of crayons. She’s drawn a yellow sun in the left corner, and I smile because the prelude was called “Sun of my Soul.” We missed the prelude. “Be sure to put the top back on when you’re done,” I […]
And the Beat Goes On
We sit in a parking lot near the lumber yard while the car shakes with my sobs. “Are you going to be okay?” he asks. “Do you want to go home?” Sometimes I wish I wasn’t so sensitive. I wish I could separate God pleasing from people pleasing. I wish I didn’t feel another’s pain, […]
Reflections from a Waiting Room
Her name tag reads “Colleen.” She wears blue scrubs, and the embroidered patch on her shirt reads “Eye Surgery…Something.” She sits still, bent to the side a tad with right elbow leaning on the chair arm, palm on cheek. She’s crossed right knee over left and wears the tiniest white work shoes, maybe even […]
For When Your To-Do List Looms Large
I brew a cup of Darjeeling, then slather a toasted sourdough English muffin with butter. I spoon on some homemade strawberry freezer jam, enough to drip down my chin when I take a bite. The white wooden porch swing hangs from rusted chains and creak-squeaks as I settle into it. It’s hot already, but it’s […]
