a prophetic voice-

He would have been fifty today, my eldest, but instead... It was August 31, 1964 and I was in labor at the base hospital at Aberdeen Proving Grounds where my husband was stationed. Those were the days when husbands were relegated to the waiting room- or in our case- sent home to wait for a call to announce the birth of their child. "This is a first baby and your wife has a long time to go until delivery," the nurse told him- and me. "Might as well go home. We'll call you," and I was left to labor alone, totally alone. Such was maternity in an Army hospital in 1964. About 8 hours later, I was holding our son in my arms, tears streaming down my face. I thought he was the most beautiful being I had ever seen and I hated to give him up to the nurse, while I waited for my episiotomy to be sutures and for the saddle block anesthesia to begin to wear off. When Carl showed up an hour later, I was both drowsy and anxious, as this hospital was not set u...

morning plea Good morning, God, whoever you are. My heart offers welcome. I sense your calming, caring presence as this stiff, aging body stretches tentatively into the day. From the news on NPR to the sounds of chanting from a cherished CD, from the whisper of the comforting hear to the songs of the towhee and robin and wren outside my window, my world is filled with signs of life and living, even in the midst of memories of the dear departed which accopany me during these February days, death relentlessly stalking my mind and heart. Comfort this one small person today, Grandfather God. As I crawl into your lap, caress my tear-stained face with your tender hands and hold me close for just a little while. Is that your dear voice I hear whispering, "Precious child, this, too, shall pass," in my ear? Twenty years ago today my eldest son died. Though much time has passed, I miss him still and remember, remember, remember... evening prayer With tear...