When I heard a knock at the door, it seemed like an odd day and strange hour to have a visitor. As the only American in a small Croatian village, I became the target of local gypsies. They believed my nationality made me a millionaire and completely ignorant of their gypsy culture, beliefs, and humanitarian […]
It’s Not A Dog’s Life
Ah dogs. A “best friend” to men, women, and children across the globe, as well as history. Their unconditional love, lack of prejudice, grudgeless disposition, hilarious antics, and notable personality causes us to fill up space on our cameras, phones, and win prizes on America’s Funniest Home Video. It’s hard not to love a dog. […]
A Crazy Time To Walk
I looked at the EMT while he carefully slid me into the back of the ambulance and said, “This cannot be happening. I’m moving to another country in a few months.” He smiled and said nothing that I remember. My less-than-graceful dive during a volleyball game begat herniated discs protruding out the back of my […]
Fields of Harvested Tears
For some, every tear is a prayer caught in the palm of Love. One that hears past words, understands before utterance, and interprets the inexpressible. Love keeps the tear, records its cause, interprets what’s best and sows it in heaven’s field of God’s glory on earthly soil. For some, though they look through windows upon […]
The Old Country Church
I know it’s hard to imagine a weather report being inaccurate, but it was especially this day. Dressed for cool, but back-dripping heat, my friend Linda and I continued to climb the hill where I knew an old church once stood. Whether it’s an abandoned barn, house, or business, if I can get inside, I […]
God’s Valentine
When I was young, Valentine’s Day meant word-covered heart candy, stuffed animals. a small class party, and the pain-staking discovery of who really liked you and who didn’t. The popular kids never lacked for a stack of cards, smiles, and boasts of new crushes, while I learned to hide a crushed heart and small stacks […]
Forest Of My Own Making
Jacob was not the only wrestler that preceded the WWF. As I pulled the red-colored digital thermometer out of my daughter’s mouth, my cheeks turned hot with tears. Her pediatrician’s warning echoed loud in my memory, “Do everything you can to prevent her getting this year’s influenza. It will attack her lungs and wreak havoc […]
Peeled Back and Sliced Through
I handed my daughter echinacea tea, grabbed my heating pad and plopped in the living room recliner. Another Sunday invaded by illness, confining us to the couch, instead of a church pew. My husband’s voice came through the radio broadcast, “Think of the depth of the Mariana Trench in the ocean. Over 36,000 feet deep […]
Mom’s Time to “Rest”
No matter how many times you hear the words, “This may be your last day, ” or “You may never see them again,” both statements eventually come true. And no matter how much you try to prepare to lose a loved one, you are never really prepared. And so it is, one month after publishing […]
Oh Those Gray Days
The day was covered in clouds and haze blocked the brilliance of red-speckled hills whispering of autumn’s approach. “The most photographed place in Upstate New York, but today?” a man said looking at my camera. “You must be a professional.” He knew, as well as I, it was not the easiest day to find something […]