"Please hold a moment. I have another call coming in," Carol said. I sat holding the phone to my ear, thinking how eager I had been to talk to Carol. We had been best friends since kindergarten, and our friendship … Read more

One day when I was very young, I ventured off by myself to the dime store. I looked over all the things that took my eye, and with no money to buy, I looked at an eraser that I wanted … Read more

A sunny Saturday morning in March was the first time in eleven years of walking with my dog that I'd forgotten to bring a bag or two to pick up after her. Rather than go back home, I reversed my … Read more

"Grandma," the small, brown-eyed child whispered in my ear, "Grandma, do you want me to sing for you?" And when I nodded and assured her I'd love to hear her song, she climbed up on my wooden blanket box and … Read more

On Sunday, at church, there were, in front of me, a mum, dad, and three girls. The smallest one clung to her dad's knee, so he bent down and picked her up. As she looked over his shoulder, she was … Read more

Waiting with a woman I met through the Daily, I listened to her vent and tell of the suffering she and her family were going through, watching their son's life slowly ebb away, and eventually give way to death. I … Read more

Our community is renowned as "The Bathtub Racing Capital of the World". The idea was conceived by one man in the late 1950s, and brought to fruition by several enthusiastic people, when the first Bathtub Race was launched for the … Read more

Does the following little vignette sound reasonable to you, or outrageous? Over the passage of time I have allowed myself to be put under a lot of pressure, some external and some personal. As I have taken up the reins … Read more

When I was young and my mother cooked all the meals, I used to look over my plate and pick out the one thing I liked best. Once I had determined that, I proceeded to eat, but I saved the … Read more

Twenty-odd years ago, my friend and I and our two little daughters set out to deliver a car part to one of her husband's customers in a community about twenty miles west of our little town in Alberta, Canada. Finding … Read more

One Sunday morning, as I entered our church's bookstore, a decorative sign, a wall hanging, caught my eye. The sign contained seven very simple, yet very powerful and meaningful words. And, unfortunately, they were seven words that ring true for … Read more

About ten years ago, a fast-food company prided itself on its ability to deliver the food to the customer's home in less than half an hour, or the order was free. One regular customer used to see it as some … Read more

One day recently, I went out to visit with our grandchildren. We had just finished a long journey home, and, though I was overjoyed to see our loved ones, I was tired. My granddaughter asked me to walk with her, … Read more

Hezekiah was willing to go against the norm and conventions of his time to do what was right in the sight of the Lord. He re-opened the house of God, while others had shut the doors to the temple. He … Read more

It's been a tiring and gruelling day. I've been on my feet and on the road since before the first light of day, and it is now late at night. I just want to catch that last bus and go … Read more

When I turned on the so-called hot water tap, it seemed ages until the hot water came forth. Because of the subtropical climate and the high water table so close to the ocean, the plumbing runs above the ceiling. The … Read more

It is 10:55 a.m. and my daughter's boyfriend and I are waiting for my daughter to get ready for a bone scan at the hospital. As my daughter fills out information papers with the receptionist, the hands of time on … Read more

There's seldom time to do much visiting during the workday, but sometimes there are co-workers who make the day brighter. I had such a friend who shared coffee breaks with me. After a few words with her, my load became … Read more

A wonderful gift was given to us at our recent Contemplative Prayer session — the presence of a newborn babe, a perfect little masterpiece, just five days old, who, for me at least, portrayed a powerful message. For those unfamiliar … Read more

During our years together, my husband and I have had our share of trials and life tests to endure: financial hardship, the loss of my younger brother to suicide a few years ago, and, as recently as last year, difficulty … Read more

In reading further through the book of Second Chronicles, one sees how this promise was fulfilled repeatedly throughout the long succession of Judah's kings. God blessed those who sought his face, but abandoned those who fell to the worship of … Read more

We have a collection of mugs at home. I take one to work every day for my tea. They have various colours and cartoons portrayed on the outside. Some are to amuse, some are to look pretty, and some are … Read more

I was sitting at my computer, when I moved my chair and hit the wastebasket. Looking down at it, I decided I would empty it before I knocked it over. The basket was filled mostly with papers. All were slated … Read more

Recently, during children's time at church, our minister told the story of Jesus calling his disciples. She invited several children to act out parts of the story. They donned simple props to tell the characters apart. One young boy was … Read more

If you are a Christian, then all the sins that you had in your life before your salvation experience have been forgiven and forgotten by God. Unfortunately, as humans, we are not able to forget those sins and remove them … Read more

Recently, on a warm, spring-like day, I stopped near a bridge to take a picture of a small country village reflecting in the still water below. Just before I returned to the car, a glimpse of yellow caught my eye. … Read more

One day, just over a year ago, I sat down, thinking over the question, "What could I leave as a legacy for my friends and loved ones?" At that time, I was at a place in North Carolina where I … Read more

My photographic abilities are not of the professional category. I'm not adept in filters, light meters, time-exposure settings, or anything else that distinguishes the professional from the amateur. Even so, I do manage to capture some pretty wonderful images, and … Read more

One thing that really gets me going is to buy something, get it home, and find out that it does not work. After spending money on something, I want it to work. I want to be able to pull it … Read more

After our Ash Wednesday Service in mid-February, I headed home rather late, driving across the city on Cambridge Street. There is only one stoplight, where Southbridge Street crosses Cambridge. The road broadens here, so there are four lanes for traffic, … Read more

Since we were married, we have moved twice. The first time, I held onto the things that seemed precious to me, but since then life has changed. When we moved the second time, our children were grown, married, with children … Read more