(ROCKWALL, TX – May 6, 2016) I woke up wanting to call my grandfather who was ill—at least in my dream. I hadn’t talked to my grandparents in months, so it would be good to check in with them. My busy day as a young mother slipped away. I reminded myself to make that call […]
(ROCKWALL, TX – March 18, 2016) My husband unloaded his treasure from the car and carried it downstairs. The large box held dismantled pieces of a crystal lamp that once adorned the homes of both his parents and grandparents. Jim hoped we could find a place for it in our home—some day. For now, his […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – Jan. 29, 2016) “Isn’t love the most important thing?” My friend’s mother repeated the question for a second time as I attempted to share my born-again faith with her. “Of course,” I had to agree. We both knew the Apostle Paul’s admonition to love: “If I speak in the tongues of men […]
(ROCKWALL, TX – Jan. 9, 2016) A New Year means new reading for me—the result of a Christmas list that always includes books. I keep a year-round wish list, jotting down titles of interest, based on Christian book reviews or recommendations. No article gets my attention more than a “top-ten picks” of books related to […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – Dec. 17, 2015) We know every role in the Christmas pageant. The young woman is Mary, who stands before Gabriel—dressed in white, of course. Joseph, for some reason, looks much older than his wife. We recognize the shepherds by their rugged clothing. We watch for the kings to arrive in their bejeweled […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – Nov. 17, 2015) When it comes to planning Thanksgiving dinner, the turkey is a given. The big bird is so central to the feast that I hardly think about it, which more than once has resulted in disappointment. My husband—a witness—recalls the flaming turkey. This one came early in my career as […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – Nov. 16, 2015) It’s better than a spelling bee and has a much higher purpose. The National Bible Bee encourages the entire family to enjoy God’s Word together. This organization offers study guides beginning with a level for ages four to six. Older students can compete in local contests and may qualify […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – Nov. 11, 2015) If you were a flower, what kind of flower would you be? A pastor’s wife posed the woman’s retreat-type question to our group. (I’ve assumed that men ask different ones). My own answer sprang up immediately: a chrysanthemum, because it’s a late-bloomer. I hoped to be a late-bloomer, since my […]
(ROCKWALL/HEATH, TX – September 1, 2015) Georgia Mae Hendrix often wears a white sweater over a colorful blouse. And she can wear a smile. Residents of the assisted living facility where I once-a-week lead exercise have more in common than silver hair and close ages—mostly north or south of ninety. They rarely get excited; they […]
(ROCKWALL, TX – August 22, 2015) “The sun is going to keep coming up.” That’s a healthy perspective shared by Carolyn K. these days. The RockwallCounty resident wasn’t always so sure. She experienced a series of sad events that began around 15 years ago with the death of her mother. On the heels of this first […]