Prejudice has so often been an obstacle to progress. How many people do you know who live within the tight walls of prejudice?
My niece lost her father this morning. He was very sick and even though the family expected it, she still said, “There just aren’t any words to describe the pain.”
It took me a long while to realize that stress can make you ill. I had to experience it first-hand, and it wasn’t easy.
A number of years ago, I had a funeral for two teenagers who were killed in an automobile accident. Needless to say, there were two families devastated by those deaths. I cannot imagine the loss of a child. We understand the devastation and loss these families felt.
Some say grief is the price we pay for love. If this is true, why do we choose to love so freely? Why invite such pain?
Have you noticed how much time and money people in our society invest in the pursuit of those things which promise happiness, satisfaction and a good feeling about themselves?
Imagine a time, if you will, when there was no air conditioning anywhere with one exception, and that was the movie theaters in town. Cars didn’t have A/C either. If you lived in the ’50s, as I did, the only source of coolness (and I use that term loosely) was an oscillating fan. Houses coul…
As I get older, time seems to vanish like a fleeting dream and memories of childhood days at my grandparents’ house in the coal fields of Southern West Virginia become more treasured than ever.
The apostle Paul wrote: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians…
It’s been said that life is like a big slice of watermelon: though sweet and succulent, it contains many things you’d rather not swallow. The trick is to savor one delicious bite at a time without worrying about what comes next.
Our Lord taught that we are to be pure of heart in Matthew 5:8: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” Paul said to Titus, “To the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled” (Titus 1:15).
Three years ago, I stopped by to visit a friend who I hadn’t seen in quite some time. I should have called first, but my visit was impromptu. I’m so glad Ann was home. The day was sunny and on the cool side, so she invited me to sit in the backyard.
After 18 months of dating, on June 10, 1950, at 9 a.m. mass at Corpus Christi Church in Newport, Kentucky, Bob Schumacher and I, Jean Bertke, pronounced our wedding vows before Rev. John Kroger, our relatives, friends and guests. On June 10, 2020, we remembered, but did not celebrate, our 70…
It seems so silly now. How could I ever be so naïve or gullible? Yes, it was so. It was always the longest day — besides Christmas, of course.
I believe in prayer, don’t you? I’ve written about the power of prayer in several Essays on Faith. An old song says, “What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.”
“God gave us music that we might pray without words.” This heartwarming sentiment exists on a beautiful cross-stitched piece, framed and given to me by my daughter.
In these days of voluminous information and instant communication, many things that were never questioned are now called into question. Questions of morals and ethics, religion and politics are constantly before us. Granted, the questions do not delve into the depths of any consideration, an…
One of the basic principles a society must uphold is the respect for authority. Respect for authority is the great regulator of life. Suppose we had no norm or standard by which to live, and no set power, authority or judgment to direct us, what would be the outcome?
Tomorrow is Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July. It is a federal holiday in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which declared our independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.
“STORES ON THE PIER! STORES ON THE PIER!”
Alyce Faye Bragg has sadly decided to retire her column. Bragg, who has written a weekly column for the Gazette-Mail for decades, said she appreciates and loves all the friends she has made over the years.
A week or so ago, I was watching the movie “The Legend of Tarzan,” and when the time came, Tarzan swung from one big vine to another. It was then it occurred to me that I’d swung on a large grapevine when I was 9 years old, but did I ever tell my parents? The answer would be: “NO!” Did I jum…
On the way home from shopping, Mr. H. and I passed a rather young-looking man standing beside the road holding a sign that read: “Need help. Please help feed my children. God Bless you!”
Father’s Day is almost here, and I find myself thinking about my father. He has been gone for almost 41 years, yet there is hardly a day goes by when I don’t remember something about him. Father’s Day is a special day for remembering, and I am remembering the things that Daddy taught us.