A Moment of Kindness

(by Shea L. Watts) Five years ago on a fall day a mom of three was sitting outside a courtroom waiting for her son's hearing to start. She had not seen him in many months so when he came into the building lead by a deputy handcuffed in an orange correctional suit, her breath was …

Who’s Your Daddy?

(author unknown) A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor …

I’ve Learned

(by Andy Rooney) I've learned that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person. I've learned that when you're in love, it shows. I've learned that just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day. I've learned that having a child fall asleep in your …

What is a Salesman?

(Author Unknown) A salesman is a pin on a map to the sales manager, a quota to the factory, an overloaded expense account to the auditor, a bookkeeping item called “cost of selling” to the treasurer, a smile and a wisecrack to the receptionist, and a purveyor of flattery to the buyer. A salesman needs …

A Letter to My Grandfather

(author unknown, published as a letter to the editor) Dear Grandpa: You have been such an important part of my childhood. From my earliest days, the lessons you taught me have served as my guide to a good and proper life. When I denied taking cookies from the cookie jar, you taught me why it …

The House Faces North

(by William J. Rudd) The Smith family (unrelated to any Smiths I have met) knew that their historic family farmhouse faced North. It was a deeply held conviction handed down from one generation to the next as if it were right out of The Good Book. They and most of the people close to them …

The Last Train Car

(author unknown) Every month Martin’s parents took a trip to see Grandma and came home on the same train the next day. One day the child said to his parents: “I'm already grown up. Can I go to my grandma's alone?" After a brief discussion, his parents accepted. They stood with him as he waited …

If I Get Dementia

(by Rachel Wonderlin) If I get dementia, I’d like my family to hang this wish list up on the wall where I live. I want them to remember these things. If I get dementia, I want my friends and family to embrace my reality. If I think my spouse is still alive, or if I …

Letter From a Pastor’s Daughter

(author unknown) I'm a pastor's daughter. I have seen first hand the beauty and pain involved in a life called ministry for almost thirty years. I remember the first time I heard someone say something bad about my father. He and I were working, assembling music in his office on a late afternoon, when I …

The Blue Rose

()author unknown) Having four visiting family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went. I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the …