“I, Shirley, take you, Jim, to be my wedded husband . . .” Saturday, December 7 dawned cold and clear. I drove into the church parking lot in the early morning light. The ground was sprinkled with snow like powdered sugar; the temperature hovered in the low teens. There was no wind; it was a [...]
Marriage is a verb “Have you ever been to the Grotto?” Jim asked as we drove across the I-205 bridge on our way to Ashland. “No, I haven’t,” I admitted, although I’d heard about the sixty-two-acre Catholic shrine and botanical garden in northeast Portland. “I’d love to see it.” The sun was hidden [...]
I’d been corresponding with a man on a matching site. I hoped we might meet one day. Next day, I received a phone call. This guy named Jim asked if we could meet for coffee…… I was a bit late as I drove into the crowded parking lot. Meeting someone for the first time is [...]
Goodness It was April. Only days before, I was engaged to be married and one Wednesday evening, I received a phone call from my fiance, Ron (not his real name). He told me he couldn’t marry me. He didn’t love me enough. I was jilted. I was hurt. I was disappointed. And I [...]
This has been a different kind of week. Monday and Tuesday were normal, but after midnight Tuesday night, it changed. No food or liquids after midnight because I was scheduled for surgery Wednesday morning. Surgery? You might ask. Yes. I had a bunion removed and some repair to some toes. I won’t give too much [...]
Lost Acres... There was once a place called Lost Acres. A family lived there. There was a mom and a dad with children. The children grew up and then brought their children there to play. It was a wonderful place for everyone. Old and young. There was a play structure for the children to run [...]
We live in a beautiful world and are grateful to the Maker of our world.
I think Fall is my favorite season, though I love each one that rolls by. I enjoy the cool, foggy mornings that turn into crisp, clear, blue-skied days. I love watching the trees turn their faded green into bright oranges and yellows, with some maples looking as though they’re a burning torch. I also feel [...]
What a treasure Emily has been since then. She gives delight to every family member.
Whether you remain single after being happily married, whether you find another soul mate as I have—thrice—God is right there with you. He is not going anywhere, but right there wherever you are. I’ve been accused of giving too pat answers, and I hope you don’t think these are pat answers, but ones I’ve discovered are true and did work for me.
