As I turned the corner, a familiar shape swooped down to a patch of green grass nearby. Red-chested, with a dark head and bright beak, the robin’s sharp eyes tracked my every step. Each day, he took up this same position as I walked by. I...
Her tiny hand gripped mine as she gingerly stepped forward. Smiling, she turned and looked at me as this new skill took shape. With growing confidence, her steps became steadier as she ventured further. Eventually, her hand let go of mine as she delighted in...
Reaching into the sweetener bowl at a coffee shop, I picked up a packet. The slogan on it read, “Always trust in yourself.” I’m not sure why sugar packets are now dispensing pep talks, but I have to disagree with this one. We cannot trust in ourselves. As followers...
I could feel the flood of emotions welling up inside of me. Searching the crowded room, I prayed the tears would stay tightly packed behind my eyelids. I had no desire to explain why I was crying to the women I see weekly at my...
Looking right at me, she said, “Would you mind speaking at our next meeting?” I inhaled sharply. There was no way she could know about the tongue-tied, sweaty ball of nerves I became when speaking in front of an audience. It hadn’t always been this way. In school,...
My mind raced as the minutes rolled from night into early morning. Filled with thoughts of what could, should, or I wished would be, my brain blocked my body from its needed slumber. With only four hours of sleep, I began my day knowing that...
Scattered all over the table and spilling onto the floor, our gear for tomorrow's backpacking adventure filled our dining room. Afraid we would forget something essential, we checked our list meticulously. Hiking gear, food, fuel, first aid, rain gear, cook stove, tents - all accounted for. Earlier...