Christmas Disappointment

As I was driven to the graveside service, I remember thinking, “I’ve never been this way before.”  I was sixteen and going to the burial of my mother.  In fact, I had been on this same road countless times.  It was the road to the school where my mother had worked.  But this time, I…

Journeys

       Our dearly loved young Chinese friend had been assigned by her university professor to help a new male Chinese student acclimate to the campus and his new life in the US.  A few weeks after his arrival, our dear friend invited us to meet her and the new guy at a restaurant. …

When It Doesn’t Make Sense

So many things haven’t made sense this year on a global, national, and personal level.  Our 41-year-old daughter spent her year suffering through cancer treatments including radical surgery, and long and painful chemo and radiation treatments.  A close family member battled deep depression.  Most of the year my activities were restricted due to a health…

What My In-Laws Taught Me

Husband’s parents are almost 92 and 91 years old.  They’ve been married for 71 years.  Their bodies aren’t what they used to be.  Several months ago his mother injured her back which severely limited her normal activities.  Somehow she managed to keep doing basic household chores including cooking, but the price she paid was high. …

Deception

  Have you ever unexpectedly fallen into a conversation with someone who is determined to convince you of something?  They may be quite persuasive and even charismatic.  Part way into the conversation you started to hear some things that made you vaguely uncomfortable but you were intrigued and curious.  Yet something just seemed off.  Perhaps…

Shining in the Dark

Why can’t they see that their behavior is destructive and will hurt themselves and others?!  What good does it do them to destroy their own city?  Or why would you favor people who are your sworn enemies and betray a nation that is your ally?  Why would you side with those who hate the idea…