That first week of school it became clear how the school was different. John's class only had ten students in it. The amount of attention he received and the level of concern for the instruction were evident even to John.

After supper, I went to do my homework and finally got ready for bed. I was really very tired from my work shift. As I got into bed. My usual prayers for family and friends turned to work. I prayed for wisdom and grace at work.

On their next check-up with their doctor, they addressed their concern for his language development, as he was nearing eighteen months old. The doctor did his usual exam and records check before hearing the parent’s concerns.

Well, a week went by, and Grace had watched the video several times a day every day. After the third time she could watch without crying, and after the fifth time, she could be less critical of her movements. By the end of the week,

Jimmy has brown hair and loves baseball. He knows all kinds of facts and history on the sport. He is a fanatic for the Kansas City Royals, who has only watched on TV, despite living less than an hour from the ball park.

Jill is finishing fifth grade and will be transitioning to middle school next year with her classmates, and students from fifth grades in other schools. Jill is very aware of this change coming up, as are her friends.

"The sun in the west was a drop of burning gold that slid near and nearer the sill of the world." —Lord of the Flies, William Golding William Golding's use of metaphor for the reader who understands the figurative references is beautiful.

It was not long before my mother was overwhelmed with her situation and with my problems. She was pregnant again and couldn't conceive of managing with me around. That is when she put in an orphanage so that I could receive the kinds of support I neede...

I was quietly considering the darkness and the light in my mind’s eye, as I reflected on my life. It seemed only yesterday, that a much younger me, saw only darkness, failure, and uncertainty. The perceived dawning of light seemed to come only moments ...

“I can’t read, that’s why!” screamed Jasmine. She buried her face into her pillows and cried heavily as her mother just rubbed her back. Shelly was equally upset inside, and asking herself many questions about their move and why she’d missed Jasmine’s ...