It is May Day eve, and it is raining hard. For hours, the sky has threatened its downpour, and now it has come. I hear the pelting on the roof and I hear the wind. Inside, I am safe and warm. And tomorrow? Tomorrow is May Day. Tomorrow, the sun will shine. Tomorrow, “the flowers will appear on the earth, for the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the … Read more
Fifty-five years ago today my papa went to Heaven. I was five; he was fifty-seven. When you lose a parent, you want to know more than you yourself can remember. It helps if there are others who are willing to share their memories of the person you are grieving. Over the years, I gathered bits and pieces about my father. Sometimes it happened in unplanned, casual conversations. Several times I was able to learn … Read more
Christmas cheer in January is a special treat when women come to our church and are served a Christmas dinner. It is a traditional meal of turkey, real mashed potatoes with homemade turkey gravy, baked southern corn pudding, green beans, congealed salad, freshly baked homemade rolls, and apple or pumpkin pie capped with ice cream or cool whip. Topped with a cup of coffee served in a cheerful Christmas mug, the evening is complete as … Read more
The days have been cold here, and the nights even colder. At dusk, the sunsets have been beautiful. From the inside looking out, I’ve watched the orange-gold sun setting behind barren trees, lighting the sky with one final nod before it settles in the western sky. Morning comes, and the birds are vying for spaces at the bird feeder. I watch them, sipping hot tea with locally made honey and lemon. And I remember my … Read more
The Drummer. One of my favorite Christmas songs is The Little Drummer Boy. I used to think this song was more for children because it’s about a young boy. Yet I’ve come to realize that this song is as much for adults as it is for children because of its message. Granted, the song is about a fictional character, and the idea that a small boy showed up in the stable (or even in a … Read more