I called Mom while I was shopping and asked, “Should I bring chocolate cake or apple pie for Christmas?” – Welcome

Then she glanced down at her sign and back up at me with an expression I can only describe as readiness, the expression of someone who has a job to do and is prepared to do it.

The music changed. The doors opened.

Light came in from the sanctuary, warm and gold and absolute, and through it I could see the backs of heads, the rows of people, the altar continue reading …