Faith & Living

A Prayer for Elizabeth

jbloustein — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:03:07 -0600

We were looking for a place to buy picnic makings.

My husband, John, and I were driving through the countryside in northern France. We hadn’t passed even a village since noon.

At last we spotted a walled town high on a hilltop. Its name, a sign told us as we followed a steep road up to a formidable stone gateway, was Langres.

We found a place to park. We bought endives and olives in one store, cheese in another and a baguette. We ate our picnic on a bench against the medieval wall that still enclosed the town.

Easter: Day of Glorious Hope

mcherkezian — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 13:35:43 -0600

The most tremendous of all earthly events took place almost 2,000 years ago when Jesus of Nazareth, put to death by the cruel power of Rome, rose from His tomb and appeared again to His sorrowing followers.

With their despair turned to joy, they were inspired to carry His spirit and His teachings to the ends of the earth.

That was the first and greatest Easter experience. But Easter experiences have been happening ever since. They happen every day.

God's Love is Never Muffled

jbloustein — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:14:57 -0600

Jerry’s teenage son, Tom, had a car with a very loud muffler.

Since Jerry worked fairly close to Cole’s, a muffler mechanic, he suggested that he and Tom exchange cars for the day.

“I’ll take yours and drop it off at the muffler shop this morning,” Jerry explained. “And Pa (Tom’s grandfather) can pick me up there and give me a quick ride to work.” As Jerry was leaving, he gave his father a call.

Saved from Suicide

mcherkezian — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:43:42 -0600

The year was 1975. She was 33 years old and the mother of four children. Her marriage was on the rocks and she had been in a deep depression for about a year.

She got up one morning after the children had left for school and her husband for work. The house was quiet. She laid out her Valium, poured herself a glass of vodka.

Battle Tested

jbloustein — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 14:42:36 -0600

I burrowed deeper into my sleeping bag. The concrete floor in the quarters I shared with three other Marine platoon commanders felt harder than usual.

The others had likely been up for hours, anxious to patrol the streets of Ramadi, Iraq, with their men. But I’d lain here until the last minute. I wished I’d never have to get out of bed. This room was the one place where I didn’t have to face my men. Where I didn’t have to make decisions that could cost them their lives.

Crossing Guardian

jbloustein — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:12:51 -0500

If any of you have ever suffered from migraine headaches, you will sympathize with Mary Anne Rodrigues of Bombay, India, who experienced them frequently.

“They usually started in the mornings at work,” she says. “I would have to leave the office immediately and come home, as I couldn’t bear light or noise, or concentrate on what I was doing.”

Holiday Angels Slideshow

mcherkezian — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:33:44 -0600

Making Spirits Bright
By Bertha Blue, Knox, Indiana

Mom's Christmas bell was my favorite holiday decoration, so my brothers and sisters let me have it after her death in November 1989.

Hanging it on my wall that December, I wished it were back up by Mom's kitchen door. Nobody walked past without pulling its string and starting a cheerful chorus of "Jingle Bells."

Time Paused…and Walked On

mcherkezian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:38:54 -0600

This is the season for miracles. For those events for which we have no explanation.

This one came with no majestic angels, no trumpets or fanfare. Just a wrinkle in time, as if time paused...and then passed on.

Serving on the Board at her son’s school, Libby attended the meeting one night, at which such difficult decisions needed to be made that afterwards a small group continued arguing outside on the steps.

The Big City

jbloustein — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 11:05:51 -0500

New York City was a big change from the small town in Vermont where I went to high school, but I couldn’t wait to attend the School of Visual Arts.

Even if I didn’t know a soul and had little money. I was exhilarated to be on my own. At least until I started my part-time job, at a leather goods manufacturer.

My first day, my boss marched me down to a department store and made me draw the handbags so he could copy their designs. “Isn’t that stealing?” I asked.

A Jeweler's Receipt

jbloustein — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:49:45 -0500

In my life, I couldn’t remember a colder morning than that Friday in January.

My husband, Darrell, was a couple towns over on business for the day. Just before noon, as I was doing a client’s hair, the police chief appeared at the door of my salon. “Gina,” he said, “I have some bad news. The fire department is on the way to your house. It’s on fire.”

I stood stock still, scissors frozen in midair. Fire? It was below freezing outside! How could this be possible? I grabbed my coat and ran out.