December 14, 2023 The Twelfth Day of Advent     I walked in the front door to an unusually quiet house, at least for 3:00 pm.  Then I saw my daughter-in-law and granddaughter, sitting together, under a blanket, on the sofa, in the living room.  It was still in the room.  My granddaughter looked […]

      December 13, 2023 The Eleventh Day of Advent     The adjust-as-you-grow roller skates, I ordered for one of my granddaughters, for Christmas, arrived yesterday.  Protection gear, matching the skates in color and the designs, arrived in another box.  The skates are just perfect, pink in color, rainbows on each side, and […]

  December 12, 2023 The Tenth Day of Advent     I slipped from my bed, well before dawn, went into the sitting room, and turned on the lights of the Christmas tree.  As I sat for morning prayer the beauty of the lights, in an otherwise dark room, gave me a gift of peace.  […]

  December 11, 2023 The Ninth Day of Advent     Yesterday, while I was wrapping a few Christmas gifts, this thought came to me, like a mighty wave, washing over me, then lifting me upon its wake, carrying me to a place of solitude, transporting me to a sea of tranquility.  And there I […]

    December 10, 2023 The Eighth Day of Advent     As I look forward to each day of Advent, I look forward to sharing with you.  Because you have chosen to walk through the season of Advent with me, it has made a time, which was already special, a unique experience.  And for […]

  December 9, 2023 The Seventh Day of Advent     Yesterday I took a short walk around the block, just me, no one in tow.  The weather, for December 8, in Des Moines, was beyond pleasant.  The sky was blue, and the sun was shining.  This is a gift, I thought, as I ambled […]