I will show up
A father knocks on his son’s bedroom door. "Jaime," he says, "wake up!" "I don’t want to get up, Papa," Jaime answers. “You need to get up,” his father shouts, "you have to go to school." “I don’t want to…
Wired to care
I am claustrophobic. I am a parent. So, watching the rescue of the boys from the Tham Luang cave, in what was called an “impossible mission,” tugged at every corner of my heart. But this is a very, very good…
Talk to me like I’m a human
The shot is true, a low laser, past an outstretched goalie, into the corner of the net. After he scores, Mr. Parker performs a joy-unrestrained airborne jig, and bumps torsos with another teammate as the fans dance and cheer, GOOOOOOAL! What makes this story so special? Mr. Parker has only one leg. The other was amputated during…
Language of the heart
I was raised Baptist, which meant I went to Sunday School. Every Sunday. No exceptions. And in Sunday School, you absorbed Bible stories. The Tower of Babel story always captivated me, perfect for a child's imagination with graphics of a…
The power to say yes
New to both the town and the church, Ellen wanted to be involved, to give of herself, to share her gifts. As it happened, the parish needed a new tapestry for one of the smaller chapels. And as a seamstress, Ellen considered…
Let us remember who we are
"All we're asked to do is to be in the world who God is,” Fr. Gregory Boyle reminds us. “Certainly, compassion was the wallpaper of Jesus' soul, the contour of his heart, it was who he was. I heard someone say…
You’ve got a friend
Tommy was his parent's pride and joy. A very bright, creative and contented little boy, he began kindergarten with his parent's certainty that he would flourish. At the end of the first week, Tommy brought home pictures he had colored. His mother and father…
Touch the angel’s hand
This week I received a letter that restored my heart. A balm to my soul. Well, truth be told, the letter was written and sent in 1513. Let’s just say it took a while to get to me. You see,…
For this moment, it is enough
Last week I danced with Manatees. Lord have mercy, it was good. I was in Manasota Key, Florida, my annual gathering with my friends of 35 years. Manatees are unafraid of humans and are curious. They are gentle, docile and…
Redemptive power of love
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating an adventure. Food fell off his spoon onto the floor. When he…
