My son helps educate children. He helps heal the sick. He helps run major companies. He helps ease transitions and changes. Yet he’s not a teacher, a doctor, a CEO, or a counselor. He’s an operations manager for a local . . . Continued over at The High Calling where they’re featuring this post as […]
When You Can’t See the Blessings on the Page
Management had made another decision. “When will you take off your rose-colored glasses?” Suzie was frustrated. “See it for what it is. This is not right. It’s so messed up.” Sometimes it seems a curse, this seeing the bright side of everything, this seeing the good side of everyone. This simple trust, this naivety, […]
Christmas Has Gone, and I’m Glad
The world changed overnight. This morning it hangs all wet and white. Pines bow to the weight, and the snow pillows soft on the hardwood branches, nestles in the crooks of tree arms. It still falls, silent. It’s a wonder. Christmas has come. And gone. And I’m glad. The gift-giving, it gets me every […]
I’m Just Not Into Christmas
I toss some change into the red kettle before I go through WalMart’s door. The tree of a ringer man smiles broad. “God bless you, and Merry Christmas!” “God bless you, too, and Merry Christmas,” I murmur. But I wonder if my piddly coins can really make a difference. I’ve come for a few groceries. […]
A Chicken for Christmas
That’s what my husband’s getting. Because he doesn’t need anything. He’ll tell you that himself. And I’m into simple and meaningful this year. And short on time. Or maybe I’ll give him a hammer and a saw. Well, not directly to him. To someone who knows what to do with them. And Grace Face? […]
Unwrapping the Gift(s)
May 9, 2012 Linking this post with Ann and the 1000 Moms Project to help in the funding of a Compassion International Maternity/Child Survival program in Haiti for a whole year. My mom passed away on November 27, 2011. Thank you, Mom, for the simple gifts, for laughter, and for teaching me to […]
Gifted in Grief
I realized it just this morning. She was my age. She was also a nurse. Instrumental, I understand, in birthing this place. She was admitted the same day we were, to the room next door to ours. She’d done battle for 18 years. A bone marrow donor stood ready, but she could not bounce back […]
A Gift of Compassion
I just looked through this catalog, and I’m so giddy with excitement that I can’t sit still. My heart leaps with joy at the creative possibilities. Perfect gifts. That teach the real meaning of Christmas. That don’t cost an arm and a leg. Unless you want to spend an arm and a leg. Or spend […]