Well it’s been an adventure living in Africa with what I carried in on my back. I hadn’t planned it this way of course. I’d LOVE to have more than one pair of underwear for these humid, scorching past seven days, but apparently the 14 pairs I packed decided they preferred NY City to Togo and stayed there for a while.

I hope they at least bring me a t-shirt when they arrive. (Fingers crossed)

In the meantime, it’s almost like I’m African with my one outfit, plus crappy complementary t-shirt Delta gave me to tide me over for A WEEK. Read the rest of this entry »

At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane’s departure and standing near the door she said, “Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy.” They kissed good-bye and she left. Read the rest of this entry »

( Luke 15:11-24 )

I wonder who among us hasn’t read through the story of the prodigal son and imagined being one of the characters in the parable.  Years ago I was sitting in church one Sunday listening to my pastor preach a sermon on forgiveness.  I can’t remember the text but I certainly remember the message. Read the rest of this entry »

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her.  She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up.

 She was tired of fighting and struggling.  It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen.  She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire.  Soon the pots came to boil.  In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans.  She let them sit and boil; without saying a word. Read the rest of this entry »

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

“Your son is here.” she said to the old man.

She had to repeat the words several times before the patient’s eyes opened. Read the rest of this entry »

At an airport I overheard a father and daughter in their last moments together. Her plane’s departure had been announced, and standing near the door she said, “Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy.” They kissed good-bye and she left.

He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, “Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?” Read the rest of this entry »