Kim's Ramblings

      As this year and this decade draw to a close, we don’t have to look far to see all the problems and hurts in our community, nation, and world. It’s natural to want to fix things. It’s frustrating as well as humbling to admit there is very little we as individuals can do to solve these problems.        But if we open our eyes and our hearts, we don’t have to look far to find beauty and love. If we will look past the problems and hurts, we can see how blessed we truly are.        Each of us has a little circle where we live, work, worship, and play. We should each do everything in our ability to make things better within our own circle. We shouldn't compare our circle to anyone else’s circle, or envy someone else’s circle. If we each take care of our own little circle of the world, maybe these circles will grow and overlap, and make the whole world a better place.        We will wake up tomorrow to a new day, a new month, a new year, and a new decade. Instead of a New Year

There’s an intruder in the house. I huddle under my blanket, straining my ears for any sound of movement. The monster has not allowed me to see his face, but I’ve glimpsed him there, lurking in the darkness. I’ve heard his stealthy movements. I don’t know his identity or his intentions, but I suspect the worst. I fear he will come for me while I sleep. I dare not close my eyes, but I cannot maintain this vigil much longer. My body begs for rest, for peace. But how can I sleep knowing there’s a monster under my roof? I tense at every squeak or groan of the old house, sure my attacker approaches. Two guards are pledged to protect me. But I can’t fully trust them. They speak no English, and they’re given to loafing and sleeping on the job. Exhausted, I sink into fitful sleep. Morning arrives. My situation looks moderately better in daylight. The guards on duty appear alert and competent. A fellow prisoner bravely, recklessly conducts a search for the intruder, finding no