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.”
Candy Cane Spaceship
January 14, 2025 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Christian Life, Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
“Oh, Mommy, it’s what I always just wanted!”
This gushing exclamation from my three-year-old son melted my heart and that of every family member in the room. A repeat of that ringing approbation became our goal over the next few sets of gift-giving occasions. So, when Matthew, with his unique and mysterious imagination, announced that he wanted a candy cane spaceship for his birthday, creative genius throughout the clan went to work.
Phone calls were exchanged. Gentle inquisitions probed his fanciful mind. The usual answer, though, lacked detail: “You know, a candy cane spaceship.” Aunt Nanny, natural-born artist, took up the challenge. With papier–mâché, glue, and paint, she created a masterpiece. The resulting red and white striped saucer, with a clear plastic dome for a bridge, perfectly-sized for a newly four boy, awed everyone who saw it. Except Matthew.
Red Badge Of Failure
November 23, 2024 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
When I was in second grade and my sister was in kindergarten, I wielded my red pen with great delight. I brought home spare work sheets, determined to enlighten her with whatever I had learned. I remember that each large scarlet X, showing her the error of her ways, warmed my bossy little heart. All signs indicated that teaching was in my soul.
Last night, grading quizzes for my senior English class, I brandished a green pen—it’s less threatening to student psyche than red. Each slash through an incorrect answer elicited a hiss of disapproval or a groan of frustration. As the number of Xs mounted, my shoulders slumped. If my students failed, I failed. What made me think I should be a teacher?
Vanity, Vanity, All Is Vanity
October 11, 2024 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Family Focus
On a muggy summer morning a few months ago, a creak and rustle disturbed my deep vacation slumber. I slit one eye open to see my teenaged daughter creeping toward my bathroom. My bleary gaze rolled to the clock: seven a.m. “What are you doing up so early?” My voice was thick and groggy. Remember this happened in the summer, and my daughter is a teenager. Normal rousing time for her would be eleven.
Best Friends, Best Enemies
September 19, 2024 by Jane Thornton
Filed under Family Focus
We tortured him. I should be ashamed. Yet, when those memories hit, a nostalgic, perhaps mischievous, smile creeps onto my face. As I reminisce over common stories with friends, I do believe a tinge of pride enters my voice. We traveled across the country in our Dodge wagon, two kids in the back seat, two lying on top of the luggage in the bicky-back. We knew better than to hit. Hitting could result in an immediate swerve to the roadside and a paddling. So we pointed. Our victim—Wade, the youngest, of course. Our best intimidating stares accompanied the pointing fingers.
