Goodbye Bunny Sweater
September 14, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton –
Easter Sunday – the day I finally get to stop wearing brown and dark green and bring out the pastels. I know I age myself by following that custom; my daughter has been wearing flip-flops for weeks. This year, though, I rummaged through the closet with a more undefined goal than usual.
A Little Cheese with that Whine?
August 8, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton –
“I don’t want to do it that way.”
“I’m sooo tired; I just can’t.”
“Why do we have to do this?!”
The Good Old Days I Never Had
June 8, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
A certain tone invades the voice and laughter of those talking about something naughty. I can hear that particular timbre from across a crowded classroom or through a closed bedroom door. Although a tone cannot be written up in a discipline referral at school, nor does it usually support punishment at home, that lower pitch sets off internal alarms which prompt closer monitoring.
The Possibility of Love
April 6, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
“Papa, tell me a story about the wild, wild, west!”
“I’ll tell you a story about the wild, wild, west where I met the girl I loved the best, and her name was Mimi Hot Shot.”
Thus began many a tale told by my grandfather to my big brother. I often listened in, but I don’t remember any of the adventures, dangers, or shootouts. Girly girl that I am, that introduction sticks out for me. Papa loved Mimi. Their love story lingers as a family legend.
Resolved
March 1, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
“Let’s make a pact.” My friend thrust her hand over the center of the table. Each of us layered our own hands over hers where they hovered above the soggy-lump remnants of an annihilated chocolate melting cake strewn across a plate. With great solemnity, we all took the pledge. “The diet starts . . . tomorrow.”
Easy to say with stomachs bloated by chips, salsa, onion rings, burgers, and, of course, chocolate.
Many people think I can’t relate to dieting woes. I have, after all, been comparatively thin most of my life. In fact, in junior high I suffered with being too skinny. I know, I know. Many of you are echoing the words of Tevia in Fiddler on the Roof, “May God strike me with such a curse, and may I never recover.”
