I knew I would soon experience financial hardship. The second year of graduate school was approaching, and payment on a large loan was awaiting me. Interest rates and fees for tuition...

When I began my teaching career many years ago, I was responsible for decorating the bulletin board in the front entrance of the school. The board needed to be appealing, inspiring,...

It is a quiet, peaceful winter morning. The sky is still dark, and my children are asleep. Before the day dawns, I take a moment to thank God for a new...

On a recent walk, I spotted an oak leaf lying among maple leaves. The fallen beige leaf stood out on the golden carpet of maple leaves. Its rounded lobes contrasted with...

I was working on a puzzle with my three-year-old granddaughter. It was from a set of puzzles of different shapes and sizes. This one had only eight pieces. Four of the...

In 2019, I was in eighth grade and new to my school. I felt like I had no friends. I was always quiet and alone, even during lunch breaks. One Friday,...

While visiting a friend at his home in rural Vermont, I asked him for the best route back to the interstate highway. He started to give me directions but then paused....

I’ve always loved the English language, but I never considered that passion to be a viable career. I told myself that I needed to finish a degree and find a corporate...

I volunteer at a women’s prison. One of the highlights of my year is the annual Christmas gathering. Inmates and volunteers all pack into a huge gym, sitting side by side...

The cancer center waiting room where I sat was crowded with patients and caregivers. A woman came in pushing a young person in a wheelchair who looked to be her daughter....