My Grandfather’s Barn My grandfather’s barn leans to the south, The weathered old logs are gray. The tin roof is rusted and dented and busted; The wind blew the doors away. But once that barn, filled with freshly-mown hay, Was a dark, sweet-smelling retreat. The straw in the loft was wonderfully soft, A hideaway, […]
Mar 26, 2023
Kin and Shirttail Kin
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Ancestors are fascinating people. You have them. I have them. Each ancestor has a story and, from their stories, we arrive and write our own stories to pass on. These people are our kinfolk, but then, there are shirttail kin. These are the people who are related to our relatives and who narrowly miss being […]
Mar 8, 2023
A Special Birthday
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Today would have been my sister Helen’s birthday. I wish she were here to celebrate, but even though she isn’t here, she left lasting memories for those who loved her. Never did my sister say she was bored; she didn’t have time to be bored. Always busy, dust and dirt found no refuge when Helen […]
Dec 27, 2022
Advent
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Christmas is a time for traditions. One that I particularly like is lighting the Advent calendars. We started this practice several years ago. A grandchild lights a candle each Sunday leading up to Christmas as we read the appropriate Scripture and discuss the meaning of the four words and four candles, Hope, Peace, Joy, Love. […]
Dec 26, 2022
Boxing Day
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This is Boxing Day in some countries, a day to give gifts to those in service of others. It’s also St. Stephen’s Day, the first Christian martyr. Boxing Day was a tradition, and today we have our own traditions. I like the repetition and comfort of those practices my family keeps alive from year […]
Dec 24, 2022
Blessed
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You know, I realize that I have all I want for Christmas: my family, freedom, health, friends, contentment. I remember asking Dad what he wanted for Christmas. He’d always say, “For everybody to be well.” That says it all, doesn’t it? The things we want are the things that money can’t buy and are lasting. […]
