Alternate Endings

And they lived happily ever after.

And they lived semi-happily until they were priced out of the housing market.
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The Old Pink Robe Ain’t What She Used to Be

Years ago my mom bought a pink chenille robe for a hundred dollars. It was a special robe – floor length, pockets and an attached belt – everything she had been searching for in a robe. For ten years she’s worn the robe faithfully. Cuddled up on the couch, down the sidewalk to grab the paper, standing out on the deck to take the dog out, in a suitcase from Georgia to Texas and back several times – that robe has seen a few miles. However, like everything else in life, over time the robe is beginning to look a little worn. Years of washing and wearing have taken a toll on the precious pink garment. The chenille is worn out in places, leaving thin patches of fabric polka-dotting the robe. The color has faded to a pale shade of baby pink. The shawl collar is limp and the coffee and ice cream stains that dribble the front of the robe don’t add anything to its already humble state. 

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Mini-Me

Katy started the summer in no-man’s land. She was too old to stay in the children’s department of our church, but still feeling too young for the student ministries (ATTIC). No longer could she get by with answering “God” to Sunday School discussion questions. When we asked her to think and dig deep, she would say, “but I’m just a little girl.” We helped her realize she was allowed to have a thought in her head. No pat answers.

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I Didn’t Know

I asked one of my students to be in a skit for an upcoming youth service for our church.

“Oh no. I’d be too scared.” Kara looked down.

“Do you get stage fright?” I sensed her timidity.

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THE PATH OF LEAST RESISTANCE

Our driveway has a drainage problem. It slopes toward the garage, a quirk of the terrain. Rain pools in a mini-lake that in winter freezes into a rink large enough for grandkids to skate on. Sure, we could invest a great deal of money to have the problem corrected, but how many homes can boast their own skating rink? Selling point, right?
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