My father was not a harsh man; in fact, he was a quiet, gentle soul most of the time. His authority was not built on bluster, but on a few, uncompromising “rules of the house” that formed the bedrock of our family life. These rules were crystal clear: Voices were never to be raised at…
At Ease
I go to the doctor’s office often, and no matter the reason—even if it’s just an annual checkup—a layer of nervousness always settles over me. This same familiar reluctance follows me into every new situation, whether I’m walking into a new room or preparing to discuss one of my books with a group. I often…
The Impossible Harmony
The prophet Isaiah’s vision—”The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion will eat straw with the ox”—is not merely a pleasant image; it is a declaration of the impossible made real. To the original hearers in Biblical times, this passage must have sounded like pure fantasy, an audacious dream of cosmic reordering. It…
Season For Living
Please forgive me for using this site the last couple of days to air my own struggles with loss. I should be telling you about my visit with my granddaughters, Maggie and Riley, who are four years old and two. Or perhaps talk about two more of my granddaughters, Rebecca and Frannie, who spent time…
Out of Sorts
“Out of Sorts” is a very descriptive phrase. One can use it when he/she is battling a cold or a minor bug or virus. I’ve used it when I can’t get settled into my writing or daily routine. I might say to Suzy, “I was out of sorts all day.” I don’t think it is…