Faith
Written by Mamie Davis Hilliard
The star penciled on my calendar
reminds me, this is a special time.
On our Angus cattle farm;
our annual calving season!
Any day now, hungry, wobbly-legged
babies will dot the pasture.
Today, I have a job to do
but, for me, not a chore.
I am to check the brood cows
in the pasture.
Written by Joseph J. Mazzella
It was one of the hardest days of my young life. I was trying out for a football team and it was the first day of full contact in helmets and pads. My body had been knocked to the ground more times than I could count. It had become clear as the practice went on that there was no way I was ever going to be able to compete against the bigger, faster, and stronger boys. My dream of being a football star had been crashed to the ground, along with my bruised and battered body.
Written by Joseph J. Mazzella
I sent my aunt another birthday card today. It wasn’t anywhere near her birthday, but that didn’t matter to me. You see, my aunt has lived over 80 years in this world, and she has done her best to make each of those a celebration of love, kindness, giving, and good cheer. I saw no reason, then, to limit such a beautiful soul to just one card a year.
The church orchestra began to play “The Stars and Stripes Forever” as everyone rose to their feet. One of the men who had just returned from the war in Iraq was in uniform and carried the flag down the aisle to the front of the church. As they passed near to where I sat, I noticed that a small boy wearing a beret was marching proudly beside the man. He could not have been more than four years old. They arrived together on the platform and the man placed the flag into its holder. They stepped back and the pastor led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. It was a special moment but only a small glimpse of what was to unfold in the next few moments.
Written by Joseph J. Mazzella
In his wonderful book, “Seven Stories of Christmas Love,” author Leo Buscaglia writes about arriving in Hindu Bali on the day before Christmas. The natives in the village of Ubud welcome him with open arms and invite him to join in their feasts and celebrations.
Written by Joseph J. Mazzella
I believe in Heaven, and have for a long time now. With me, it is not just a matter of faith. I also believe in Heaven because of all the evidence I see here on Earth. I view this evidence not only in the glorious natural world all around us, but also in the endless acts of love that come from the hearts of people as well. These are the people who bring a bit of Heaven to Earth every day, and they are the ones I wish to thank…
