This has not been the best of years, but it certainly has not been the worst.  This is a story that happened decades ago, but as people are finding it harder to afford food for their families with the rising inflation it seems a good reminder about what the miracles that are still being performed today. As a single mom, I panicked every month when bill paying time reared its ugly head.  How could I spread so little money so far?  It was routine for my children to preface each request for whatever they wanted or needed to buy with, "Mom, I know you don’t have the money but " and I grew increasingly frustrated at having to say no. I vividly remember one harried day.  Everything that could go wrong went wrong from the moment I awoke.  That afternoon, I heard the phone ringing as I rolled into the [...]

Yesterday the Oshkosh Chamber Singers had two concerts. Unlike other groups I have sung with during Christmas, this was more of a religious service than one with a variety of songs ranging from traditional carols to Christmas hymns to newer secular songs. Nine Lessons and Carols is an annual event and is a mix of readings about the Christmas story and songs intertwined with the same message. There's something almost mystical that happens when voices and instruments unite in a church packed with people of all ages eager to hear the music and contemplate all that the scriptures mean. When you sing in a choir there are often songs you don't like to sing. Maybe they are too fast or the pitch is too high. It could be a matter of taste because not everyone enjoys every song. Yesterday there was that one song that was new to me that [...]