I looked at the clock. It was 2:25am and I hadn’t slept one minute. I had been laying there for four hours, waiting patiently, hoping to drift off to sleep. But the moment I saw the time, I felt my last ounce of patience curdle into dread. I wasn't going to sleep. The next day…

During the 2006 World Cup, my wife and I experimented with watching soccer. We caught some of the US games on television and got into watching Germany because of my German heritage. We saw them beat Argentina on penalties in the quarterfinals and were disappointed when they lost to Italy in the semis. During the…

The snow arrives early this year, before we are ready. The leaves are still on the trees. They had some time to fall yet, we say. We are not prepared. But if we are honest with ourselves, when have we embraced change? It always comes against our will and wishes, Pushing in where it is…

November 11th is Veterans’ Day, when we recognize the heroism of those brave people who have served in the Armed Forces. The word “hero” comes to us through French and ancient Greek, most likely from a root originally meaning “defender or protector”. In many ways those in the military, along with police officers and firefighters,…

The 2022 election is less than a week away. I know that this fact should make me terribly anxious, but truthfully I’m not feeling it, and I wonder why. Is it the constant rush of news that makes it hard to grasp that the election is, in fact, next week? Is it because I have…

I was riding home from work on the elevated train through the West Side of Chicago. Feeling tired and a little fidgety, I shifted in my seat and my phone fell out of my lap and onto the floor. I bent to pick it up, but another man who was closer said, "I got it,"…

I crawled into bed and checked my alarm clock. I settled my body, positioned my pillow and sheets, closed my eyes. I laid there, as any other night, letting my mind drift away into sleep. It kept drifting but couldn’t find a place to rest. I turned over, tried to settle again. I laid still…

This terror washes over me. I do not know the source. I struggle to protect myself, I let it run its course. I wish now that I could return To time before this fear, But I cannot pull myself away When it would draw me near. It comes to me at night Before I can…

The kids wanted to walk down by the water, so I said I would accompany them. We were having a picnic along Lake Michigan and had finished eating, so they were ready to explore. We climbed down the rocks to walk along the shore, and at first the surface was relatively level. It was easy…

The heat settles across the lawn, Tracing wavering lines through the air As the heavy scents of cut grass And lilies fill my senses. I feel the need to do Everything that is left undone, Temperature and temperament spurring Thoughts of action. Then I watch a hawk trail Lazily through the sky And think, "Maybe…