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 [...]

As writers we wonder if our words matter. Most of us will never earn a living wage from our books or articles. Sure, there are exceptions and I am happy for them. But it hasn't happened for me. But that doesn't mean my words aren't making a difference. Years ago I was at a writers conference in Florida and an editor for Decision Magazine was there. After a brief conversation he asked me to write a piece on grief. At the time I had just started writing, but grief was an all too familiar subject in my life. He asked for "around three-hundred words," a ridiculously tiny amount. I sat down to write what became some of the hardest words I'd ever written. I can't remember what I spent that $100.00 payment on, nothing fun I'm sure, and then I moved on to the next project. About two years later [...]