respect
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Empty
"This morning,"she said,hands wrapped for warmtharound her coffee cup,"I woke up empty." "Empty?" he asked,spoonful of All-Branhalfway to his mouth."Empty as in…how?"For him,empty could be good, like Zen: open, clear, ready.Or empty could be sad, like death: … Continue reading
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Worth Celebrating
The fact that you exist–that you were createdand have lived life to this moment–is an astonishing grace,a miracle worth celebrating. Think of some way–this minute,this hour–to honor that amazing fact,to honor your amazing self. Text and image © 2012 by… Continue reading
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To Be American
The United Stateswas the first country in historyto embrace the beliefthat many cultures and faithscould come togetherto form a single nation. Let's not lose sightof this amazing,gracedvision. This is what it meansto be American. This is what it meansto be… Continue reading
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
On a scale of 0ne to ten,his pain hovers at eight. "Why complain." It's not a question;it's a statement. Even his partner can forgethis love's daily struggle for normalcy. The only logical option?Carry on. Self-pity denies life,and life is what… Continue reading
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You Do the Math
Denver:10,000 homeless people1,100 beds for thema new ordinance forbidding "camping" in city parks you do the math if we don't see them,they don't exist Text and image © 2012 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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At MacDonald’s
As I eat a cheeseburger and friesat my local MacDonald's,an employee works on all fours,equipped with a bucket, two ragsand a folded piece of cardboard to protect her knees. Like me, she's in midlife.And I, as I slowly chew my… Continue reading
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Nuns File In
Nuns file intwo-by-two,palpable peace in black after whiteafter black after white…They reach the altarand bow to the Christ of the cross,then,each turning toward her partner,bow once more–this timeto the Christ within. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights… Continue reading
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Doormat
I may be your doormat,but where you standis holy ground. Text and image © 2011 by Dirk deVries. All rights reserved. Continue reading
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For This We Yearn
"Listen to me!" It is for this we yearn, yes? "See me!" It is for this we yearn, yes? "I matter!" It is for this we yearn, yes? And even those of us–the published,the sought after,the elected, selected, sanctioned–we all… Continue reading
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Trust
I tripped over this quote this morning, source unknown: Trust God to work his life in others as he is working in you. Okay. Of course. Yes. Wow. The challenge is to trust in God, not in me, not in… Continue reading