Year: 2004

"It's a gift, Dad, it's a gift," my brother concluded, as over the years he watched my father enjoy bowl after bowl of chocolate ice cream. He was referring to the fact that my Dad seemed capable of consuming large … Read more

Like so many others, after having had the experience of loving and losing two dogs to death through injury and old age, I'd vowed "never" to get another one. But after our second daughter went to university, I considered getting … Read more

One of my favourite games is the game of Scrabble. The game begins when each player picks a letter tile from all the letter tiles which are turned face down. The person drawing the tile closest to the letter "A" … Read more

Suddenly, we heard the whooshing sound of air blowing into the colourful array of hot-air balloons stretched across the grass. The ropes that had been holding them to the ground were released, and the crowd clapped and waved as, one … Read more

How often when someone asks, "How are you?" we instantly say, "I'm fine," when in fact we are not. Either we don't wish to talk about our problems, or we think, "Who really cares?" A while back, I sat for … Read more

I couldn't turn that light off — no matter how hard I tried. My hostess had turned on the guest room lights, and then slipped off to bed. I didn't want to wake her, and I didn't want to admit … Read more

One recent morning as I looked out my window, I was greeted by a tinge of pink sky in the east. Later, as my husband and I were having our quiet time, the sun came streaming through our window, and … Read more

I stood looking at the small, austere grave of Frances Ridley Havergal in the graveyard of the church of St. Peter, Astley, Worcestershire, England. I remembered that she not only wrote hymns and composed music, but also set herself the … Read more

I was up and out of the house reasonably early one morning, walking to a nearby plaza for a few items. As I retraced my steps, I met my wife — and my five-year-old granddaughter, whom I had not seen … Read more

Mary's face lights up when you ask her about her work. She teaches a kindergarten class of five-year-olds. Part of her enjoyment comes from being able to share new experiences with the children who are coming to school for the … Read more