Readers: Can You Help Some Teen Musicians Make Joyful Noises?

I have written before about the wonderful chamber music orchestra that our older son is privileged to be part of. This eclectic group of musicians, called Stretto Youth Chamber Orchestra, is gathered together by the amazing Sherri Anderson, a joy-filled Christian whose life's mission is to bring music to everyone. Her musicians come from an extraordinary  range of settings - from boarding schools to homeless shelters and foster homes.

I don't think I've ever asked my readers to consider making a tax-deductible contribution to a worthy cause, but I am asking you now.

Confirmation and "A World Unbound by Time"

Usually, I imagine eternity as time never ending. I imagine it like an infinite number, like this one. This means when I think about heaven I think of a place where time goes on and on and on. Interminable. It sounds so dull.

This Pentecost, our younger son was confirmed in the Catholic Church. During the liturgy I had this powerful, visceral sense of eternity. I felt it all the way to my bones. It was not the kind of eternity I usually imagine, but the kind of eternity I have come to understand, a world unbound by time.

Something about the Name Mary. Or Not.

Several times in recent weeks, folks at work have called me "Elizabeth." I'm not sure why. There is another Elizabeth in the English department, so maybe that's it. Or maybe my given name, Allison, just seems close to "Elizabeth." In any event, I did not mind. I am not particularly fond of my name. I don't feel like it fits me. Me of the dark looks, sometimes dark moods and always, loud laughter.

My parents thought I was going to be a boy. You know, they'd had a son and then two daughters so it was time for another boy. Right?  God does these patterns, right? I was supposed to be named Gregory.