Shrove Tuesday has been one of my favorite days for a long, long time. I know what you’re thinking—it’s all about the stacks of golden pancakes, the syrup, and the indulgence. But for me, it has always been much more than a meal. I was first introduced to the true spirit of the day when…
The Forty-Day Search: A Peaceful Approach to Injustice
Lent has arrived with its usual suddenness, catching me mid-stride. While I have always preferred adopting a positive discipline over the traditional act of sacrifice, I believe any meaningful Lenten practice should be anchored in prayer, service, and study. I began this year with ambitious plans that remained unformed; but perhaps by articulating them here,…
A Fine Line
Suzy and I are huge fans of British TV, especially crime dramas. Between Hercule Poirot, Midsomer Murders, and the endless library on BritBox, you’d think a gruesome murder occurred every hour in “sleepy” old London and its suburbs. It makes me realize there is a very fine line between entertainment and social acceptability. I often…
The Weight of Regret
Loss rarely arrives with a warning, but when it comes suddenly and in a wave—three friends gone in a single season—it leaves a specific kind of silence in its wake. For those of us who have moved away, that silence is often filled with the echoes of “I should have.” We live with the comfort…
Snow Apocalypse
It’s hard to understand how one’s mood is so affected by the weather. The first day of last week’s snow, we were thrilled with its beauty. The next day we were excited and happy to get out into the snow and sled, ski, and build snowmen. The next day the children were excited to be…