We are hearty people here in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Last winter my dad called me from Wisconsin to ask how long I would have to stay in my house. The Weather Channel was reporting wind chills in Fargo of 50 below. I laughed as I told my dad that this is just life in Fargo.
Here we are in the heat ... Read More
The other day I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen in at least six months. She smiled her big exuberant smile and said, “Oh! It’s Miss Kindness!” as she gave me a warm hug.
Her sweet greeting made me feel special down to the tips of my toes.
How I would love to be thought of as Miss Kindness on a ... Read More
There is a quote I recently heard that seems to be sticking in my brain. Mother Angelica said, “Unless we dare to accomplish the ridiculous, God cannot accomplish the miraculous.”
I don’t know if you believe in God or not, and frankly, for the purpose of this column it doesn’t matter. What that quote says to me is this: Unless you ... Read More
I’ve heard of making deals with the devil, but I wonder, have you ever tried to strike a deal with God?
Maybe you told him that if you could just have that promotion at work you would start volunteering to help the homeless. Or if he would just help you lose those last 10 pounds you would donate to the food ... Read More
Have you ever asked anyone the ways in which they see you sin? The pastor at my church made a really bold challenge the other day. He asked us to find five people in five different areas of our lives and ask them to point out our sins.
Let me tell you, having someone look you in the eye and tell ... Read More
I’ve been thinking lately about what it would take to convince every person in our area to do one kind act every day.
Can you even imagine how amazing that would be? All kinds of people doing all kinds of little acts would change the entire face of the community before a week was up.
I can just envision a world where ... Read More
Some people just ooze sunshine and enthusiasm wherever they go. You can’t help but like them, because their attitude is just contagious.
I’ve had the chance to spend some time this summer with someone like that. His name is Hale Scraper, and he is 9 years old.
Hale was in a summer theater program with my kids. Since we have to drive ... Read More
Kindness is a tricky thing. Sometimes it comes so naturally: I walk out of my house and feel like smiling at strangers, holding the door for people and leaving a little extra money in the tip jar at the coffee shop.
Other days, I wake up wondering why everyone has to be so noisy, why the driver in front of me ... Read More
I used to work in the news business. Every day, a team of people, including myself, had the incredible responsibility of choosing which stories should be covered.
Some stories were so horrible I had a hard time reading them. But I am ashamed to admit that other stories, like those of war and natural disasters were so prevalent that they became ... Read More
At a certain age, women tend to begin complaining about birthdays. They aren’t exactly welcomed holidays like they were when we were 5- or 6-year-olds.
I have to tell you, I celebrated my 37th birthday a few weeks ago, and it was the best birthday I think I’ve ever had. I got the best gift ever.
I woke up that morning to ... Read More
