"Would you like a cup of tea, Trishan?" Aunt Savitri asked me. "No, thanks." As usual, I was sitting at the table. The bowl of Indian rice pudding sat untouched in front of me. I stared out of the windows in front of me but I wasn't seeing what was there. My mind was elsewhere. …
Losing a Child & Finding Love
Michaela was a student of Tamal Laghari's. She was a very bright girl who had many friends. When she died from an acute asthma attack, he was devastated. He went to the funeral where he met her mother. She was an attractive woman and a widow in her late thirties. Her husband died when Michaela …
Beauty For Ashes
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praiseinstead of a spirit of despair - Isaiah 6:2, 3, NIV Free Images Photo When I read this scripture verse, I think of this …
Not A Chance Meeting
Weeks had passed since he went to that quiet, peaceful place where he met her. Why hadn't he gone there? Why had he stayed away even though he wanted to be there? Why was he avoiding her? What was he afraid of? Of feeling again? Of living again? Of moving on? Why should he be …
Loneliness
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted - Psalm 25:16, NASB At some point in our lives, we may have experienced loneliness. I experienced after losing both my parents and my son within months of each other in 2019. Although I had loved ones and friends who sent …
Hank’s Last Day in Portland
He was going to miss coming here to this spot where he spent hours reflecting, praying and enjoying his surroundings. Hopefully, there will be places of solitude in Cotonou where he could spend time alone with God and nature. He had been a pastor since he was twenty-five and now he was fifty. People were …
A Curious Discovery
Someone had left a newspaper clipping on the floor outside of his office. Father Kiesler picked it up and read the newspaper article on Father Schmidt. It spoke of all he had done for the community and for St. Albertus Magnus, the co-ed boarding school where students were taught by both resident priests and nuns. …
A Fitting Farewell
Father Kiesler stood there watching as the church sanctuary quickly filled up. It seemed like the entire community was there to pay their respects to Father Schmidt who had suffered a heart attack a few days ago and died. It was Sister Augustin who found him slumped over his desk in the office. She had …
The Green-Eyed Monster
As Countess Adriana stood beside the coffin of Jean-Louis Marquis, the french lieutenant, the crestfallen curvature of her body was a dead giveaway of the weight of her grief... Kate set aside the book when she realized that she had read that sentence more than once. She just couldn't concentrate. Her mind was on Sally. …
Which is Worse?
Getty's Image "Which is worse?" Annie asked Not being able to have children or having a child and then losing that child to an illness or to some tragedy?" "I think not being able to have children is worse," Robyn replied. Annie stared at her. "So, you would rather have a child and go through …
Notes to Women 