Author Unknown: Tess was a precocious eight-year-old when she heard her mom and dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment the following month because Daddy didn’t have the money for the doctor’s bills and the house. Only very costly surgery could save Andrew now, and it was looking like there was no one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful mother with whispered desperation, “Only a miracle can save him now.” Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully, even three times. The total had to be exactly perfect. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the…
By Wolfgang Schmidt: This month my mom turned 99 and my dad is 101 and they just celebrated their 75th marriage anniversary (Crown Jewels)! They survived 2 world wars and had 9 children. Two of them, twins, were born right after WW 2 and went back to heaven at birth. My parents, being good old Catholics, didn’t believe in artificial birth control. Now they also have 19 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. They are definitely getting older and weaker now, but everybody who knows them is amazed at how they keep going living in their own house, since 2 years with a helper and my brothers and sisters doing the shopping, mowing the lawn etc. Everybody knows they love God. They have a beautiful statue of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, built into the front wall of their house (photo) and on the entrance door my dad as a medical…
A compilation: When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. — Marcus Aurelius. The subway train sways back and forth, its wheels screeching more fiendishly than ever against the tracks. Outside the window the freezing cold of winter rules and the dreary bay looks like a yawning abyss as the train rumbles across it. The carriage is filled with frozen, self-centered, bored passengers. Good morning! Suddenly a little boy pushes his way in between discourteous grown-up legs—the kind that only grudgingly make room for you. While his father stays by the door, the boy sits next to the window, surrounded by unfriendly, morning-weary adults. What a brave child, I think. As the train enters a tunnel, something totally unexpected and peculiar happens. The little boy slides down from his seat and puts his hand…