Sophia peered over the edge of the desk........

Sophia peered over the edge of the desk. She stood spellbound a full ten minutes watching her sister drawing colorful designs on an uncooked egg. Jacqueline's room was off limits unless big sister accompanied her, and she knew to touch only with her eyes. Sophia was six. So with her eyes she took in the bright red animals, the yellow bands of wheat, the brilliant white stars, the dark shiny browns and blacks that divided the egg into panels.

"Are you makin' breakfast?"

"No, Sophie, I'm coloring this egg for Serge."

"The far 'n strange student?"

"Foreign exchange student, Silly. Serge is from Ukraine. I read in a book that in his country the girls give colored eggs to the boys they like."

"You like Serge?" Sophie asked, eyes wide.

"What do you think?"

"Does he like you?"

"He loves me. "

At that, Sophie covered her mouth with her little hands and tore from the room.

"That secret won't last long," Jacqueline thought to herself as she put the finishing touches on her masterpiece.

The next day Mom stood in front of the fridge collecting ingredients. Braided egg bread had become an Easter tradition in the family and this was the day to make it. "Sophia," she called.

Sophie padded around the corner and into view.

"Tell me about these eggs. "

"In the crane girls give 'em to boys." The whole dozen were decorated in color crayon with birds and fish and sunshine and flowers and every pretty thing a little girl of six had ever seen.

"You've been talking to your sister, I see. And who are these for, Daddy?"

"No..."

"Papa then?"

"No..."

"Derrick down the street?"

"No," she giggled. "They're for Jesus."

"Easter eggs for Jesus?"

"He loves me," she explained, turned on her heel, and strode out of the room.

Mom gently closed the lid on the eggs, loaded everything back in the fridge, took down the list from the refrigerator door, and added 'eggs.'


by James Grasley

What legacy will you leave?

Two people who have influenced my life have died in the past 3 weeks and I had to wonder what legacy do we leave behind?

Both men had difficulties in their lives, both went through hardships, trials and pain but they choose very different paths.

One leaves behind a legacy of tormented lives. Lives that are still recovering from the impact of pain, abuse, violence and terror.

The other leaves behind a legacy of lives changed. Lives that have come through pain, poor choices and difficult life circumstances and were given a second chance, a chance for change.

Both men were not perfect. Both men made mistakes. Both men were smart. Both men could be charmers and could be difficult.

But one man chose to stand under the Cross of forgiveness and through his life left a legacy of second chances, while the other (as far as we know) never asked for forgiveness, never made restitution, never took responsibility.

Both men made an impact on the generation to follow.