“Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women.” –Maya Angelou
"You know, it's a good thing you don't have a girlfriend?" "Why do you say that?" "She might have a problem with you spending so much time with me." "I'm glad I don't have a girlfriend either but if I did, I would just explain to her that my aunt is all alone while her …
Continue reading "Dover, White Cliffs, Deal, Shakespeare & Sunscreen"
Father Kiesler had decided that he was going to spend Christmas with his parents and that he was going to take Monifa with him. He called his mother at lunch time that morning to tell her. She sounded happy and told him that she and the rest of the family couldn't wait to see him. …
PHOTO PROMPT © Roger Bultot Rain fell softly on her as she stood there in the empty playground at her son's school. How she longed to see him, to hold him and tell him that she loved him--that she was sorry... Her shoulders hunched as a cold wind stirred the leaves and the wispy blonde …
He reached the plank and emerged from the water. As he hoisted himself out of the water, with his hands flattened on the wood, he turned his head towards her direction. She could tell that he was looking at her. Her heart began to pound like crazy. Should she leave now before he got completely …
It was the first day back to university. He had mixed feelings. While he was excited about the new year and teaching new students, he couldn't stop thinking about Kalisa and missing the times they spent together in Kigali. What was she doing at that moment? Was she already at the school or was she …
Father Kiesler was in his office with Bishop Haas. The bishop had just completed his pastoral visit. He seemed quite pleased. "Father Kiesler, you're doing a fine job with the school and the parish," he told him. "As fine a job as the late Father Schmidt." "Thank you, Your Excellency." "Is there something on your …
Photo by Monstera on Pexels.com On March 23, 2022, the first school year here in Afghanistan, I was excited about returning and eagerly looked forward to seeing my classmates and teachers again. I along with other students showed up bright and early only to find the doors closed and armed Taliban guards. My heart sank. …
Continue reading "No Education Leads to Risk of Child Marriage"
Months had passed since the horrific ordeal at St. Albertus Magnus and since Father Kiesler had been hospitalized. He was back at the rectory and had returned to his duties. They saw each other on Saturdays when he visited Mrs. Wiesenthal and during the week when she was on campus but it wasn't enough. They …
He hadn't meant for it to happen but it had. She was his teenage sister, Felice's childhood friend and he had fallen hopelessly and madly in love with her. How could it have happened? He had known her since she was nine--a scraggly girl with braids who used to smile shyly at him whenever she …
"Hello, Ruth? It's Mrs. Horton." "Hello, Mrs. Horton. How are you?" Ruth really wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone but she didn't want to be rude. "I'm fine, Dear. Fine. Just got back from visiting my sister, Ann in Glasgow. We haven't seen each other in a while so it was a nice …
Notes to Women 