Snow Storm Blessings

In January of 2016, a snowstorm hit the Washington, DC area, dropping nearly three feet of snow. The weatherman predicted the storm, but it was much more intense than expected. Following the storm, people began to venture out into the deep white drifts covering everything. Paul and his two teenage sons, Edwin and Matthew, were some of those…

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Bob & David Are Friends

  This is a story of lasting friendship.  It began with two teenage boys, Bob and Dave, growing up in the late 1930s and early 40s. Bob was born with a cleft palette, which although repaired to the extent possible at the time, still had some obvious impacts on his appearance and speech.  Not everyone…

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La Nona’s Sweater

  In December of 1967 I was living in the small city of Bergamo in Northern Italy. Towards the end of the month I had a sore throat along with a fever and general malaise. I was miserable but because I was young I didn’t pay attention to my health and went on with my…

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It Happened on the Light Rail

train

  Sometime ago, I received an email from a man I had met twice, both times on the same day while riding to and from work on public transportation. I appreciated the thoughtfulness of this man so much that I included the email in my journal. Here is a portion of that email.   I’m…

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You Know My Name but Not My Story!

A few months ago I was in a meeting where a young woman made a comment that impacted me enough to write it down. I allowed the thought to incubate and today’s post is the result. She said, “You know my name but not my story!” I started thinking how often we think we know…

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The Smile That Captured My Heart

smile-that-stilled-my-heart

  At church this morning, the children put on their annual program. It consisted of a children’s chorus and a small speaking part for each child. Vivienne, a recently adopted little Chinese girl, was sitting on the front row. She is four years old, does not speak much English, and is trying to adjust to…

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Ah! Stick It In Your Ear

  My oldest son was only two years old and he was with me doing some shopping for his mother. We were buying some cake equipment so his Mom could finish the cake she was decorating. I learned that it was sold out so I asked if I could use the store’s phone to ask…

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