Eliza Fletcher’s story matters — I went for a 7 mile run the other day, per my marathon training plan. Did I think about safety? I always do. I can’t afford not to. I’m a woman. I also thought about the abduction and death of a female runner as I ran. And I ran alone…

How this distance can change your life — Ultramarathons aside, in the world of running, the ultimate test of mental strength and physical fitness is the marathon. Why is running the marathon such a powerful testament to a person’s will and mental toughness? One reason: the pain. We’ll revisit this point in a bit. Pursuing the Dream In…

Edited education is a handicap — It’s 5:00 on a Friday afternoon. I’m wrapping up my documentation for the day, and I’m running later than anticipated. But before my frustration gets to me, I’m calmed by a welcome, yet unexpected sound. …

And fantasizing about an America with universal healthcare — The health insurance industry is largely tied to employment in the United States, and it largely dictates healthcare in this country. Even Medicare, the healthcare safety net subsidized by the federal government, is a system that you pay into as a tax in your working years. But how did this…

Stories from my life in retail — Once upon a time, I worked for the now-defunct Hecht’s department store. I love shopping, so it only seemed natural to help others do the same. I took great pride in this job, realizing that I made a bit more than minimum wage, and it was the nicest department store…

A Poem — One Nation Ruled by the Minority Without liberty, without justice, without care for our most marginalized citizens. One Nation Whose lawmakers Are bought and sold by corporate greed. One Nation With citizens crippled By insurmountable debt. One Nation Dumbed down By conspiracy theories and misinformation. One Nation Exhausted Because of…

A different kind of ethics lesson from the church — If you grew up in church, yours may have had the tradition of Wednesday night suppers. It was certainly a part of our weekly routine growing up, along with choir practice and missions education. These suppers were big events, with not only a big fellowship hall full of tables, but…

Part one in my journey to the RRCA Convention 2023 — I’m getting ready to fly for the first time in years. I’m the type of person who wants to travel but gets overly anxious about it. Typically, the trip to my destination is nerve-wracking but the trip back seems easier. One of the last times I flew was to St…

First, it was “Don’t Say Gay,” and now it’s “Don’t Say Periods” — Yes, it’s odd that discussing such an essential bodily function of females has become so political, yet here we are. The party of small government has proposed a law to make it illegal to discuss the topic until 6th grade in public schools in Florida. As if little girls needed…