Last weekend America celebrated her 244th birthday. Our citizens remembered the patriots who managed to defeat the world's greatest colonial power of the time to secure for us the hope of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". Two of those soldiers were my ancestors. They were simple farmers living in a small town in … Continue reading The First Fourth
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My Fathers
I had a good father. He taught me how to save money and to love words. He was a small-town newspaper editor who wore cardigans and caps and garnered the respect of all who knew him. If it's true that we picture God somewhat like our fathers, then mine gave me the impression that God … Continue reading My Fathers
Emergence
Quarantine is over and restrictions are lifting. Like a deer in the woods we peer out at life, hesitant. How long will it be before we dream again? These months have been heavy. Fearful. Numbing. Our noble goals for quarantine productivity long ago dissolved into apathy. Efforts at uplifting each other gave way to videos of … Continue reading Emergence
Fog
The fog lay gently on the lake this morning as I left for my daily walk. A loon called from beyond my field of vision.The colors of the morning faded into the gray dampness. When I was very young we lived by the ocean, where the fog often lay thick and heavy over my neighborhood. … Continue reading Fog
The Only Way Through the Mess We’re In
Today the Covid 19 virus is raging, tearing through our cities, spreading fear and changing everything about how we go about the business of living. It has robbed us of physical and financial security and isolated us from each other. Today also the virus of anger is raging, tearing through our cities, spreading fear and … Continue reading The Only Way Through the Mess We’re In
On having a black son
I always thought he would be the safe one. As a woman, I understand that my daughters are inherently vulnerable due to their gender. I am familiar with knowing the right place to park, with being aware of my surroundings and with not walking alone at night. I also understand that my son with special … Continue reading On having a black son
Moonrise
I watched the full moon rise earlier this month, the quiet lake shimmering in its glow. It brought back a memory of our family gathered around our old black and white Magnavox television to watch in awe as men's footprints first touched the moon's powdery surface. "That's one small step for man", Neil Armstrong said, … Continue reading Moonrise
Tucking Ben In
We have lost many things in this pandemic. Some of them needed to go. Others tore out a portion of our peace in the leaving. Some of our assumptions are weakening; things like optimism for the future and a confidence that everything will return to normal. Other losses serve to grant us perspective and teach … Continue reading Tucking Ben In
Mother’s Day
Mother's Day and I have had a complicated relationship. I had a challenging relationship with my own mother, and did my best to bless and honor her no matter how I felt. I know the challenge of the card section in the drugstore, lingering long to find that one card that was kind, but not … Continue reading Mother’s Day
A Psalm for Covid
From Psalm 139: O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, … Continue reading A Psalm for Covid
