By NANCY PATRICK Living in the Bible Belt of America has many advantages. Christian people who live morally upright lives, support their families, participate in their communities, donate to charities, and exemplify integrity and honor comprise the majority of the community. In spite of the positive aspects of living in a Christian community, some people feel alone and alienated when
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To Be or Not to Be By Nancy Patrick What you know of me— Fragile minutiae, Miniscule iota, Deceptive shard. Evasive splinter of— Who I am Was Have been Can be Might be Would be Could be May be Must be Should be Will be. By NANCY PATRICK In 1962 when I was 12-years-old, Neil Sedaka released his hit
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By NANCY PATRICK My upbringing, though a simple one, taught me about worthwhile values. I confess that I have materialistic moments and desires, but I strive to keep them at a minimum. When I contemplate my New Year’s resolutions, I try to keep them simple, unselfish, and realistic. I consider several categories of behavior for my own life. One area
Read moreNancy Patrick at new home in Illinois, far from home, on Christmas 1974. Nancy and her husband, Mike, had just moved to Illinois for Mike’s first pastorate and they were among strangers for the first time. By NANCY PATRICK Every year by Thanksgiving, our society transforms into a charitable, adoring, nostalgic, and sentimental group of people who seem to
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By NANCY PATRICK I enjoy Thanksgiving more than any other holiday. Its position between two of the most publicized holidays of the year—Halloween and Christmas—offers a chance to breathe and focus on something other than commercialism. Thinking about Thanksgiving actually makes me feel good. It reminds me of the plans for my fall wedding back in 1968. Enrolled in Hardin-Simmons
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By NANCY PATRICK I thought about starting this paragraph with a string of happy emojis. The reason for my elation—my husband, Mike, and I will celebrate our fiftieth wedding anniversary on Nov. 23. When we married, Mike had completed two years of college, while I had just graduated from high school. Neither of us had a clue about the
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By NANCY PATRICK Abilene, Texas, a relatively quiet, safe place to live, has had a recent increase in violence. This has prompted me to ponder the causes of such unusual behavior not only in Abilene but also around the world. My dilemma relates to the apparent fear and anger felt by many people who behave badly—both verbally and physically.
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