January 5, 2014  This story starts on the first Sunday of Advent, which this liturgical year was December 1st, 2013. It was evening, and I was home alone decorating my tree. I felt good, happy, was listening to Handel’s Messiah, had eaten a good dinner and was sipping a glass of wine in between hanging ornaments.…

February 13, 2014 Did you grow up, like I did, hearing The Golden Rule espoused as the litmus test of moral living? Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. This is a universal moral code, found in the scripture of every great religion of the world.  It is a helpful rule,…

On a recent drive to the mountains of NC, my husband and I were talking as NPR played on the radio in the background. I heard a phrase that broke through to my awareness, and I stopped our conversation and turned up the volume.  All joy and no fun, I heard repeated again as my…