Submitted by Pad Finnigan. Young children in Pierce County have been and can be snatched up and stolen from their families, then sold into slavery, sexual and otherwise. It is part of a national and international organized crime wave that some say is bigger than the illegal drug trade. A film called “The Sound of […]
Letters
Letter: An Ocean Without Water
The sign read, “Ocean Beach Access” but below that “No Water.” I smiled as I passed this sign on my recent trip to the coast. The message was a reminder of a happier time, now however marked by sadness. The last time I was here I was accompanied by my wife, celebrating our anniversary, then […]
Letter: A Breakwater Doesn’t Stop the Tears
The couple walking by were total strangers to me, so it was a bit awkward, and that’s how I began as I approached them. “This is a bit awkward,” I said, holding out my cell phone. “I was wondering if you would take my picture sitting up there on the rocks. See, normally my wife […]
Letter: Face to Face
Pink and blue, their petals like soft blankets wrapped snuggly about them, the flowers peered back in recognition. We’d chatted before. I think that’s why they do so well, why they show off, why they’re happy to see me. “Some people rise in the morning hoping a new day will bring peace after a perplexing […]
Letter: Two Must-Haves I Dare Not Leave Home Without
I admit that my life anymore is an open book, the pages tear stained. It’s a sad story, at least this current chapter. I must remember before leaving the house to be sure to have a handkerchief in my pocket. Someone will ask me how I am doing and that will be all it’ll take. […]
Letter: So Far Away
She’s been gone four months ago today. And today, again, I’ll water the flowers. Because it has been so dry for so long. As I change the spray nozzle on the hose from the ‘Shower’ selection to ‘Mist’ so as not to damage the delicate blossoms, I will then kneel in the wet grass bordering […]
Letter to Tacoma Rescue Mission
Submitted by Claudia Finseth, Parkland, Washington. Dear Duke [Paulson, Tacoma Rescue Mission], How will you write your story? My name is Claudia Finseth and I live in Parkland. This last week I have been trying to endure the preparations for the air show, which is today. I have had a close formation of fighter jets […]
Letter: Pebbles in the Sand
We celebrated our 48th Wedding Anniversary in cancer treatment. Hand in hand. Battling together. We would lose. We reached our Golden Anniversary though, surrounded by friends and family there at the lake. It was a beautiful day, not unlike the one later, walking with my granddaughter on that same shoreline. As I sat on the […]
Letter: A Promise Made Is a Promise Kept
“Be mindful always of His promise.” Do you know how hard that is? It’s hard. It’s hard to remember the promise we’ll meet again when the seat next to me in the car is empty now. It’ll be hard to remember when our 51st Anniversary comes round just days from now, that the road trip […]