Blog

When my sister and I were little girls, we’d jump out of bed on Easter morning, eager to search for colorful hard boiled eggs all over our tiny dining room and living room. Daddy would hide them over and over again to our great delight ...
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What should you do when the life you’ve always wanted crashes around you? What if you dreamt of a simple life— loving God and your neighbors? It didn’t seem like too much to hope for when I was twenty. Wasn’t it just what God wanted ...
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We were running late as we hurried into the big historic red brick church in downtown Wilmington. The sanctuary went dark as soon as we entered the foyer. I turned around to find one-year-old John, his hand on the wall switch, wriggling from my husband’s ...
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My engagement ring is worn out. I felt something sharp and saw its prongs had broken and its band was rubbed to a sliver. I slid it off, grateful the diamond hadn’t escaped. The rings have been my faithful companions through years of smiles and ...
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When our granddaughter was one-year-old, we piled into the van and headed to Airlie Gardens, a local favorite, to take in Christmas lights and festivities. I felt impatient and anxious as we squished into a noisy line of parents and toddlers, that encircled the building, ...
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My husband Tom and I lost three of our parents in three years. While we grieved our losses, our friends showed kindness and support in various ways. I'll always remember their encouragement while our grief was fresh. I was surprised how much little gestures touched ...
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When I was seventeen, I entered the God School. The Administrator Himself issued a personal invitation. I’ve been enrolled for fifty years, so you might say I’m a seasoned student. What’s unique about the school is that I’m not bored, even after attending many thousands ...
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What if a two-letter word could make your marriage better? The idea came to mind several years ago when I listened to my girlfriend. “The kids were away visiting family, so we served ourselves huge portions of ice cream and put the bowls right on ...
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Last summer, I arrived at my annual dermatology check-up armed with important information. I’d been enjoying a Wrightsville Beach family staycation at my in-law’s home. On the bathroom counter was a super-duper magnifying mirror. I'd never seen such magnifying power. First I was fascinated, then ...
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The new year has come; what are your resolutions? In my early twenties I stepped on my bathroom scale and was shocked to see 127 appear in black and white. Right then, I made a resolution to lose twenty pounds. I felt exhilarated —a sense ...
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On the first day of 2021, I stood beside our fake Lowe’s tree and removed one ornament at a time. Each one sparked emotion. A mixture of sadness and thankfulness as I thought of our parents who’ve passed. A big smile with gratitude, when I ...
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I set the timer for the the dough to rise, and thought, we spend so much time waiting. I could’ve picked up a loaf from the store, but homemade bread is better; the smell overwhelms you when the crusty loaf comes from the oven; it’s ...
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