Why are you blessed?
As we go into this Christmas, something keeping me grounded in “the reason for the season” is the beatitudes Jesus said in Matthew. This...
Mighty Mollie’s lasting gift
John Sparks, my great-grandfather, died suddenly in December 1907 due to a sawmill accident. His wife, Mollie, was in the midst of preparing Christmas...
The Christmas Book
"Granddaddy! Granddaddy! Have you received the Sears and Roebuck Christmas Book yet?" I shouted as I entered my grandparents’ house.
"Of course, I got it!...
Keep the childlike wonder
Santa is on his way! I am sure happy the government shutdown is over so the air traffic controllers can navigate his sleigh!
As a...
Waiting, waiting, and waiting more
It is November 8th, and I am sitting in a Seattle airport lounge on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, waiting to fly home. Thanks to...
Columbus church celebrates 162 years of worship
Saint James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Columbus, Georgia, was organized in November 1863. It is a beautiful historic structure located at 1002 6th Avenue, and the...
The true patriots
True patriotism cannot be reduced to a sound bite or used to define a political leader, party, or group. It means loving your country...
Jessie, Uga, and Halloween
It was a perfect Halloween night in South Florida, a warm and balmy evening that felt nothing like our typical autumn. My then nine-year-old...
Us vs Them
At times, when I start writing a column, I have a clear message in mind, but I struggle to find the right words to...
Don’t break from a broken heart
After writing a recent story about a challenging time I experienced years ago, a friend wrote to me, "Lynn, that was heartbreaking!" I responded,...
Faith, compassion, and $24.21
I live a comfortable life today. We own a lovely home in a great neighborhood, and we have food in the refrigerator. However, I...
The perfect season
It was a typical October day in Tennessee, a time when nature transforms the landscape into a breathtaking display of gold, red, and orange....