What Did Fisher Cost? More Than Money Could Ever Measure.
“How much did Fisher cost?” one of my kids asked not long ago. $350? $400? $575? It’s not a simple answer. On paper, he cost $350. That was the adoption fee in April 2005—he came neutered, vetted, and transported. A…
An Unexpected Christmas Gift: A Second Chance at Love for an 89-Year-Old Woman and a 12-Year-Old Dog.
At 89 years old, my mum had made peace with the idea that she would no longer have a dog. Just a few weeks before Christmas, her beloved elderly companion had passed away, leaving a silence in the house that…
The 80-Year-Old Woman Who Refuses to Stop Riding.
At an age when many are slowing down, content to stay close to home, Jane Dotchin is doing the exact opposite. Every year, for the past five decades, she has set out on horseback for an extraordinary 600-mile journey from…
The Young Man Who Chose to Clean What Others Ignored.
It was an ordinary afternoon when I first noticed him—a young man, maybe in his mid-twenties, walking slowly along the side of the road with a bucket in one hand. At first glance, I assumed he was on his way…
Counting Down the Days Before College, Holding On to Every Moment.
My son’s bedroom door is closed again. Music thumps softly behind it, and I stand in the hallway with a laundry basket balanced on my hip, debating whether I should knock. I decide against it. That’s what life feels like…
At 85, He Still Shops for Love: Papa Joe’s Quiet Lesson in Marriage.
My Papa Joe is 85 years old. He has been married to my grandma for 60 years—six decades of life side by side, weathering storms and celebrating joys, always together. These days, his memory is slipping. He is slowing down….
Eight Years Apart, One Tearful Goodbye.
Today was Freshman move-in day for my 18-year-old son. For weeks I had been preparing myself for this day, whispering little reminders to my own heart: Stay strong. Smile. Don’t let him see you cry. I wanted this day to…
Walking With Love: A Grandfather’s Gift.
Even though her future husband’s family belonged to a higher social class, and in the absence of her parents, the bride made a decision that would forever be remembered by everyone present. With a heart full of love and gratitude,…
A Young Heart with a Big Mission: Caleb’s Quest to Bring Warmth to Children.
At just 12 years old, Caleb Konopka of Utah has shown the world that age is no barrier to making a difference. What began as a simple act of kindness has turned into an extraordinary mission to bring comfort to…
A Guardian for All: Dep. Terry Gregg and a Special Homecoming Moment.
Last night, I witnessed something truly heartwarming, something that reminded me why so many students adore Deputy Terry Gregg, the school resource officer at my daughter’s school, Boones Creek. He’s not just an officer to the kids—he’s a friend, a…