I saw this face for the first time in a Kansas field, in 1976:   “The summer following my freshman year, I was at a church camp in Wichita, Kansas, and was walking alone, crossing a field. I spotted someone coming in my direction, also alone. As this person got closer, I could see … Read more

    I’m not trying to pick on a gender when I say, “nice guys, powerful guys, smart guys” and now, as of breaking news today, “funny guys.” I’m just looking at statistics when I say guys. I know cancer is not limited to one gender. And there’s nothing funny about it.   We’ve been … Read more

(Warning: Parental guidance suggested. Frightening images.)     So as not to disturb, a fine gentleman and his respectful wife tip-toe in through the back door of a community meeting already underway. The group of at least a couple hundred people are seated in circular formation. There appears to be no open seats, so the … Read more

  Last weekend John and I were walking out of Sidecar Doughnuts and I looked back not so unlike Lot’s wife. But rather than turning into a pile of salt-and-butter doughnut, I noticed the sign painted on their window and I thought of the scripture about God’s mercies being new every morning. I know what … Read more

  I really don’t like speaking of Stacie in the past tense for a few reasons. One, I miss her, and past tense phrasing reminds me that she’s gone from this earth. Two, I fully believe she’s more alive than ever, so she’s definitely not “over.” And three, for all I know, maybe she can … Read more

Powerful Men and Shaky Voices   I was in my late teens and on one of my first jobs. My boss was a little too “friendly” and I asked him to stop. I was afraid to speak up to him, but in my shaky voice, I did. Soon after, although I wasn’t fired, he subtly—yet … Read more

  “If it’s me reading the signs…” –Tiffany, from “Silver Linings Playbook”     It’s been a rough week. I’m clearly weary. I think a lot of us might be clearly weary. Outa juice, power, steam. Some days I feel like throwing my hands up in the air and saying, “Okay, I give. I’m ready … Read more

  I took this photo standing on top of one of the Twin Towers. It was my first trip to NYC. I was fifteen years old. I fell in love with NYC that day and haven’t fallen out since. Today I’m thinking about all the lives lost and altered—and all loved ones devastated by that … Read more

  …Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life? ~Mary Oliver   It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth-and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up–that we will begin to live each … Read more

  The other day I was lost in thought, all hunkered-down and hunched over my bike, grunting up a paved, steep residential street. I must’ve only been looking down for a good bit because I came within a centimeter of crashing into the back end of a Ford F-150. Queue sound effect for my screeching … Read more