The Sun

In the late afternoon, on a summer day, the sun, soon to set, peeks through the kitchen window to bid farewell until the morning.

It is a precious moment as we, the sun and I, say silent words, make silent promises, and get ready for the nighttime.

He is one of my oldest and dearest of friends, we met the day I was born, and have seen one another almost every day since. He offers me warmth and light, I give him a smile and encourage him to shine.

When the sun finally sets, I am sad, if only for a moment. The kitchen is now dark, devoid of that golden glow that he offers in his presence.

Whether I win or whether I lose, the sun shines on me with the same warmth and light. Did you win? Your "sun" shines on you with an immense glow, I've seen it! But if you had lost, that glow would have been just as golden!

Consider your love... God has given you a prize worth more than one hundred sunrises and sunsets! Treasure this precious moment, and get ready for tomorrow.

Jenny Kathleen Alarcon

Of babies, pancakes, and the importance of a listening ear

Why are some people friends with others? I've come to realize that a connection is not only made with people who are like you. Some will tell you that if you are not of the same race, generation, political belief, or socio-economic background as another, you cannot be friends.

Well, I beg to differ! I have a friend with whom, on the surface, I have very little in common. As a matter of fact, after really thinking about it, the only three things that we really have in common are babies and a love of God and pancakes. How these three things have made us so close, I must admit I don't understand, since I have struggled to even be around certain people who have pages of things in common with me!

However, I have learned to appreciate the gift of friendship, no matter what the connection. So I will continue to love my baby, stuff my face with pancakes, and follow God's direction and not the world's!