Ferlando ran across the red-dirt floor of the orphanage, reaching upward with his thin arms. He sobbed as he grabbed Rachel’s legs and refused to let go. His dark, tear-filled eyes almost seemed to plead, Please don’t leave me here! And in that moment, something remarkable happened. “The door of my heart sprang open to [...]
The trees outside my classroom window were in full bloom. A clear blue sky stretched overhead. Birds sang. Daffodils swayed in the breeze. Being stuck in Huntsville High School that morning was simply more than I. Could. Bear. Spring fever and senioritis hit me full force. I felt like I had to skip school that [...]
I once heard a landscaper jokingly dub my mother the “queen of boxwoods.” He was spot on—ancient boxwoods surrounded our house, outlining every bed and sidewalk. On hot, dry summer days the “queen” often sent her loyal subjects (my sister Lisa and me) out to water the boxwoods by hand. (Mama's boxwoods are pictured above) [...]