I am unmarried. Loved by my family, yet to be loved by a husband. It all changes tomorrow, the month of Av on the 15th day in the land of Jerusalem. I come from the tribe of Dan. You may know the story of my people. We are descendants of Abraham. … [Read more...]

By Susan Diamond Henry is a good man. Back in the day he was a newspaper man. He ran the presses and brought the daily news to his hometown. With retirement and the onset of old age came a new routine. One that kept him very busy. Last … [Read more...]

The four candles burned slowly. Their light was so faint you could hardly hear them speak. The first candle spoke in a whisper, “I am Peace, but these days, nobody wants to keep me lit.” Then Peace’s flame slowly diminished and went out … [Read more...]

When you’re old, a person can start to feel a little depressed. Sad and lonely. Not me. I am happy to be old, I never thought I’d live to ninety. But I am. I did. And I’m damn glad about it. Pardon my language. I lost my filter a while back and I … [Read more...]

In those days they called my brother retarded. Today he is considered someone with an intellectual disability. In our family, and to everyone who knows Doug, he is "special." Doug was born with the kiss of God upon his forehead. He has a … [Read more...]

Week Ending Friday July 26, 2019 {quotes} Love is a string of coincidences that gathers significance and becomes a miracle. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (adapted) Fortune favors the bold. Latin proverb All you need is a destination, … [Read more...]

The sound of one sigh after another, as Mulan weaves at the doorway. No sound of her loom and shuttle, only that of a girl in deep reflection. If you ask her what she is thinking or who she is thinking of, she will say, "There is nothing I think … [Read more...]

The old preacher was bringing some people to be baptized down to the river. He was immersing them one by one. He took hold of one man and put him down. He dunked him for a second time. Then he held him under the water. The man came up fighting for … [Read more...]

Serena lives two doors away from 560 acres of forest preserve. A blessing. Abundance. A whole lot of critters, varmints, and crawly things to live among. She is very nearly One with nature. Yet, just a few steps to the north of her suburban … [Read more...]

She followed blindly.  There was the woman who learned to cook by watching her mother. Every Sabbath or holiday dinner when there was a brisket to be made, she would follow the steps her mother always took to ready the meat for cooking.  First … [Read more...]