Articles : Virginia Ham
Oct. 30, 2006 issue
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Mysteries of two tragedies
It felt like a double-whammy. First, we were seated in a funeral home chapel, paying our last respects to a good friend and asking ourselves why we were there. This shouldn’t have happened.
Our friend had done the unthinkable — taken his own life. Nothing that we knew of him helped to explain what might have led to this violent act.
Sept. 18, 2006 issue
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Palinode, many years later
I just learned a new word: palinode (PAL-uh-noad) — a poem in which the author retracts something said in an earlier poem. The word comes from the Greek palilnoidia, combining palin (again) and oide (song).
Sept. 4, 2006 issue
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Silence can speak volumes
Sitting in my usual pew (padded chair, actually) at church on Sunday, the worship leader invited us to be perfectly still, close our eyes, tune out any distractions and simply meditate for a brief period.
May 29, 2006 issue
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This time, it’s his milestone
Paul Thomas Guengerich has had the best of all possible worlds, operating on his own schedule while maintaining an accelerated pace at age 93.
April 3, 2006 issue
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Life shone the light of peace
The office phone rang about 7:45 a.m. I offered the most pleasant early morning greeting possible, and a gruff-sounding voice growled:
Jan. 30, 2006 issue
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Organ recital’s new melody
Bob Bishop and Scott Magill don’t think their encounter “just happened.” Both are convinced the whole experience has been providential.
Jan. 2, 2006 issue
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Legacies of encouragement
Rather sobering: over the last three months I’ve written obituaries of six former workplace colleagues — Robert D. Yoder, Norman Derstine, Vida J. Huber, Paul R. Yoder Sr., Mary Jane Detweiler and Linden M. Wenger.
Sept. 12, 2005 issue
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Losing war of the worlds?
My pastors do their utmost in their Sunday sermons to reach this consummate curmudgeon. Sometimes they succeed, sometimes not.
May 23, 2005 issue
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What else is old, besides me?
Once upon a time, I deemed such people “ancient.”
May 9, 2005 issue
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Fanfare for common family
The time has come to speak of everyday things — to extol the common men and women who go about quietly making a difference right at home.
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