Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve

“Time for bed, postulants! It’s 7:30!” Sister Miriam’s scratchy voice penetrated the walls of the study hall. It was Christmas Eve, and all of us first-year nuns, called postulants, had been sitting obediently at our desks. Suddenly, we were...
Great Expectations

Great Expectations

I started a diet a few weeks ago. The doctor wanted my husband to lose a little weight because of his back problems, and I saw it as an opportunity to be altruistic and selfish all at the same time. I would help him out by going on the same diet (the altruistic part),...
Istanbul

Istanbul

  Rick Steves, the travel expert, wrote an editorial in the LA Times last year. His message was: “Afraid of terrorism? Get on a plane!” We are so bombarded by reports of terrorism that we forget that most people are just like us –– not just in the...