Year: 2014

“TURN RIGHT ONTO 3RD STREET. YOUR DESTINATION WILL BE ON THE RIGHT.”

The stilted, robotic voice directed me into the parking lot of the Kenny Anderson Community Center, temporarily fading the voice of Ira Glass with the announcement. It was six o’clock on Monday, and I was there for a meeting of the Sioux Falls Writers Group. This was my inaugural attendance. I was anxious.

I carefully navigated into the car park, feeling out its layout. Then I saw the kids. There was a group of high schoolers playing basketball. Some younger children were walking down the sidewalk heading home after an extra-curricular. My stomach churned. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone but attendees: people with notebooks or laptops, bags quoting famous authors, eyeglasses.

I pulled into a parking space. “YOU HAVE ARRIVED AT YOUR DESTINATION,” said the woman. I pause “This American Life” and waited in the still-running vehicle measuring my breath.

That’s when I noticed the little mouse.

Continue reading “The Little Mouse”

Holli and I celebrated my 31st birthday at a local pan-Asian restaurant, which I affectionately call “Ultra Mega Buffet.” It’s been dubbed “The Largest Buffet in South Dakota,” and that could be measured by the square footage, the food selection, or the combined weight of the clientage.

My first plate was sushi; Holli’s was Mongolian grill. I retrieved my lukewarm serving of suspect seafood and waited. I played Disco Zoo. I waited so more. After Holli joined me, I folded my hands. “Should we pray?” I asked.

“Oh,” she said, surprised, “you didn’t have to wait for me.” I assured her it was no big deal. After all, I had dancing animals to tend to. We bowed our head in prayer and said our grace, unaware of the unexpected blessing we’d soon receive.

Continue reading “An Unexpected Blessing”