My mother lived on her own for 24 years after the death of her husband, and at the age of 87, she started showing the early signs of dementia. We learned that with dementia, the loss of memory becomes of primary concern for families when … Read more

Some 21 years ago now, the deadline for income tax returns to be postmarked was just a few days away. On this particular evening, my husband Marcelo decided that it would be best to drive to the post office and drop the return into the … Read more

In Blessings from Pain, I told about my fall which resulted in a broken patella and subsequent surgery ten days later. As the days dragged on until surgery, I developed a list of "if onlys": – … Read more

I once participated in a service of praise, prayer, and foot washing with Christian people during the Lenten season. Sitting in a circle, one by one, we knelt, washed, and dried our neighbour's feet, using a basin of warm water and a … Read more

Some years ago, my husband received a phone call from a social worker in a neighbouring province: "Could you take your mother in?" I had recently returned to our home in rural Alberta, Canada, after visiting my mother-in-law in hospital … Read more

My wife Caroline recently reminded me of a story given to her by her dad, Kirk, when she was visiting him in the hospital. It was about one of the other patients who was in the same ward and how he had come to be there. Apparently, the … Read more

At the age of 12, I was attending a youth service at our church when an event took place that literally changed my life. My three friends and I were sitting in the back seat. When the sermon was over, one of them looked at me and said, … Read more

I was recently watching a procession of singers filing offstage. I had a birds-eye view, captured by a drone. That procession reminded me of ants, which move in just such an orderly manner. In today's passage, King Solomon had a lot to … Read more

Is there anything special about the address you call home? Today's verse suggests that it is no accident that you are where you are. Since moving to Petpeswick Inlet, Nova Scotia, Canada, my wife Jeanne and I have developed a daily … Read more

I stared at the button that read "Reset Settings", thinking that it might solve my issue. Fear, however, kept me from clicking it. Computers seem to have a mind of their own. Sometimes, an update will change the way something performs, … Read more

While my three-legged foster cat, Caesar, was learning to walk again after the amputation of a hind leg, I put a fence across my hallway so that he could move about in safety and not be harassed by my dogs. Caesar was afraid of the dogs, … Read more

I recently applied for work at an established university with fully equipped facilities and less workload, yet with a higher salary — my dream institution! Who wouldn't look forward to getting hired soon? When I was invited for an … Read more

John was working with the hired man, Murray, making ductwork in the shop, and I was working in the garden. The shop phone rang and John answered it. He came running to the garden to let me know that the neighbour's barn was on fire. He had … Read more

I enjoy spectator sports of all kinds, but until recently, I had not been very familiar with wrestling. Oh yes, I know about theatrical, slam-bam wrestling as seen on television, but youth wrestling is entirely different. A family friend … Read more

I remember that it was a cold, rainy evening in 1975. My husband Marcelo was working swing shift, and I needed to get something from the grocery store. The rain was still pouring when I finished shopping, and as I was running to the car, … Read more

Long ago, my husband, our two small boys, and I drove to another state where my husband had taken a new job. After arriving at the new town, during the first morning after a night in a motel, we ate breakfast at a nearby café. We needed … Read more

On February 24, while visiting in California, USA, I fell and shattered my patella (kneecap). Due to a number of circumstances, surgery was ten days later. But right from the beginning, I was blessed. I fell on concrete in a parking lot … Read more

At the YWAM (Youth with a Mission) base near Tijuana, Mexico, where my husband and I volunteered this winter, one of my assigned areas of service was with the Hope Zone. This ministry is situated on a narrow, undeveloped lot in a rough … Read more

After all the excitement, anticipation, and research, we set out to see the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. We put the location of Port Rowan, Ontario, Canada, into the GPS, and arrived at this picturesque little town at lunchtime. … Read more

As I write this, there are wars raging in various places. The ones most heard and talked about are in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. Dozens if not hundreds of people are being killed every day in the attacks. Meanwhile, so many people are … Read more

"Now, you behave." How many times did I hear my mom say that in my childhood? If I had a penny for every time that she told me or my sister, Tracey, to behave before school, at the dinner table, before and during church, or at the mall, … Read more

Can you see them — three little plants poking out of the ground? They are strange sisters, but sisters indeed. Like sisters at their best, they support and encourage one another. First, sister corn pokes out of the ground and begins a … Read more

When our phone rang about eight weeks ago, the display showed that it was our son calling. I was, of course, delighted, but I was not prepared for his greeting. "Mom, Mary and I want to come to the ranch for the solar eclipse on April 8." … Read more

It was gone. Now, I had to learn a lesson about handling regrets. I thought about my now-gone treasure early one morning when a co-worker asked, "Have you ever regretted getting rid of something?" I love antiques and have since I was … Read more

I recently embarked on some steps toward a healthier lifestyle, adding walks and watching my dietary intake by recording what I eat daily. The first three weeks went very well. Then today, no sooner had I logged my weight loss than I … Read more

My veterinarian works in conjunction with the SPCA, and a concerned neighbour took Caesar, a stray cat, to the clinic. His right hind leg was broken and sported a huge, open, badly infected wound, which ultimately required the amputation … Read more

Recently, I sat in church next to my eldest daughter, Hannah, and her daughter, Anastasia, who was sitting on her mother's knee whilst eating with her hands. I thought, *I am glad my time has passed to get involved with those sticky … Read more

My mother was saved in a tent meeting when she was 15. My dad went out west to get away from God, but somehow ended up being saved during a prayer meeting in his early 20s. Before my father passed away in 2011, his doctor asked him if he … Read more

A bouquet of red roses has a heartfelt meaning for me. My husband Lynn gave me a bouquet of red roses on our wedding day. Tucked in among the flowers was his note reassuring me of his deep love on this most important of days. Now, eight … Read more

This year, I gave up ice cream for Lent. Consider it a sacrifice on a very small scale. Recently, we babysat our grandchildren, and they noticed that there was no ice cream in the house. I quickly got in the car and picked up some ice … Read more