The ornament of the house is the people in it Ralph Waldo Emerson Charlotte, did you take the key to the truck?” I had fixed, readied, strapped, tied, and prepped all to pull out of the drive for a fun day of Christmas shopping; wrapping paper, bows, gift tags, and ornaments were on our list, only to find ourselves without the key. “Yes, Mam. I did take the key to play with it.” Absentmindedly left on the counter, the shiny […]
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Precious memories, nostalgia’s refrain Christmases of childhood forever remain. Deana Johnson “Chuck, what is that box over there beside the bed?” “You’re Christmas gift.” “Why is it out where I can see it?!” “You’re not supposed to show any signs of gifts before they are wrapped!” Over the years, he has learned better. Growing up, it did not matter whether it was an occasion or a gift; my parents would make it extra special and memorable. Whether it be a […]
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Bright red birds, soft falling snow, children’s voices, candleglow, and a silver star to light your way—these are the joys of December days. Dale Cross Purvis This old man, he played one. He played nick knack on my thumb; with a nick knack, patty wack, give a dog a bone. This old man came rolling home… It felt like all the way to ten I sang. Desperate for him to calm down. His little tears dried in an instant, and […]
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No matter where I travel or just how far I dream there’s just no other place quite as nice as home. unknown “Mom! Hurry!” I ran from the kitchen to where the call was coming from. I opened the bathroom door to see Eva holding Tyson on the toilet. “What happened in here?!” The bathroom was wreaked of poo. It was everywhere, all over the toilet and covering Tyson. “I tried to show him how to go potty in the […]
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There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. Leo Tolstoy It was late November. We were still living in the city, and I was working in the yard outside our house. My next-door neighbor saw me outside and casually walked over. I could tell something was heavy on her mind. She started explaining how she recently lost her job and was about to lose her house and car. In my usual business, I continued with my […]
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Said the Robin to the Sparrow “I should really like to know Why these anxious human beings Rush about and worry so.” Said the Sparrow to the Robin, “Friend, I think that it must be That they have no heavenly Father Such as cares for you and me.” Charlotte’s backpack is as big as she is. I can see her in the playroom as she packs blocks and Barbies inside. She comes by the kitchen and says, “Ok, Mommy. I […]
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When you find a piece of bubble gum in the glove compartment just for you – smile. The year was 1986, and my father had just finished preaching at a church in Ohio. I was a little over two years old. My mother was holding me and turned to tell my father something when her heel caught on the first step of an old wooden staircase. My father watched helplessly as my mother and I toppled head over heels down […]
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Don’t cry because it is over. Smile because it happened. Dr. Suess Pushing Tyson through the crowd at the zoo, trying to keep up with Chuck and the girls, a lady came zooming around the corner, pushing her own stroller. She ran over my foot, hit my side, and knocked me out of her way with a snarky “Sorry” and kept moving. I was in utter disbelief as to what just happened. “Chuck. She ran me over!” He stood there […]
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The quality of the word you devour will determine the quality of life that you live. Sarah Pearsons There are people the masses will never know and will never receive accolades. Even if you are called to the masses, your success depends on those called to the trenches with you. Some people silently watch in the background, helping and teaching you as you cultivate a life worth living. We all have mentors like this who go unnamed yet are giants […]
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An old farmer saw the Indian Rain Dance and asked, “How did you know God would show up?” The old Indian Chief looked at him and said, “That’s easy. We dance until it rains. Visiting with my mother, I commented, “I would love to get back into riding regularly, but there are not many opportunities. This is not a Western world; it is predominantly English or Dressage.” Mom never took a breath. “What you need is a Ms. Mary in […]
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