Let It Be I am the handmaid of the Lord Let it be. It’s been nine months since the seed was first sown. Nine months of waiting, growing heavy with time. Nine months of “I don’t want to move. Nine months of sunrise dawning in incremental stanzas. Nine months of watching God […]
All I Want For Christmas Is…
I’m off on another hunt that takes me under the couch cushion, inside a chartreuse kitchen cupboard, under the gray Formica table, behind the toaster, on top of my parents’ dresser, and finally into the oven. I stare at the package tied up with string, and the fun fades. I so don’t want a […]
Flattened for a Mary Christmas
I wish you a Mary Christmas, stunned by His reflection, flattened at His feet as you wait, and worship, heady with His fragrance. “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of […]
We Love So They Love
After Chilanchi and her “sisters” finished their rice and beans, I helped her lug a heavy pail of water down the hill, my right hand and her left grasping the handle. She sidestepped so she could throw her right arm in front of me in case I lost my footing. Later that night she fell […]
carry Christmas
My husband and I will celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary on Wednesday. On Friday, I’ll remove my diamond rings. Not to worry, though. It’s only temporary. I’ve had my flu shot, popped my first malaria pills, and packed last year’s Cipro just in case. I’m making a list and checking it twice, three times, […]
how you can help make a miracle–and a giveaway (or THREE–NOW FOUR!)
My friend, Jennifer Dukes Lee, has a knee-knocking, God-sized dream knocking on her heart. She wants to give a house for Christmas. You read that right. SHE WANTS TO GIVE A HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS. A. Whole. House. Not a big house. Just a whole house. One that’s not in pieces. To replace one that’s “melting” […]
about school shopping and santa
Neither Abby nor I feel good, but summer’s winding down, and we’ve set this day aside for shopping. Time to hit the “cool” stores and try on some “cool” clothes in order to be “cool” during that first week of school. Time to watch mother and daughter do battle between fashion and practical, between appropriate […]
haiti, a party, and a beautiful life
I saw her the other night. She looked older, but I recognized her immediately. “Chilanchi!” It’d been a whole year, but she knew me, too. “SIN-dee!” It was a dream, of course. But it’ll become a reality, I hope, in another four months. Because I’m going back to Haiti, and I want to take you […]
mama said never judge the inside by the outside
My mama. She was a clever one. And she loved practical jokes. They were probably separate Christmases, but they’re fused together in my mind. We were still in the little house. I sat on the couch facing the bathroom door and the tree draped with single strands of tinsel, oil stove on my left, gray […]
fire and boxing christmas up–or not
I give the switch on the cord a quick twist, then stand back and admire the lights. I cup the hanging, worn, red apple in my hand, feel the rough, gaze at glitter that sparkles. It’s hung now on 42 trees–well, except maybe for two or three grief years when we skipped decorations. So make […]
