Articles

I'VE LIVED IN WHITE SUBURBIA most of my life, and over the years I've had only a handful of friends who aren't white. I'd like that to change.

THE PAINTER HENRI MATISSE described color as magnificence. You don't have to be a painter to know what he means.

" WHOSE CHILD are you?" In my native village in Edo State, Nigeria, you don't answer this question simply by giving your family name. The question is meant to draw out your ancestry.

AS AN ADOLESCENT, I was so shy that I'd find an excuse to leave the classroom rather than risk being called on to say anything in front of the class. If I managed to stay in the room, fear and a feeling of inadequacy glued me to my seat.

MY FRIEND LOUIE had a parrot named Pipo. They were good friends, and Louie would often say to him, "You have a big nose!" Soon Pipo began imitating Louie, repeating in the same tone of voice, "You have a big nose! You have a big nose!" Every time somebody walked into Louie's home, the parrot would call out, "You have a big nose!" Some people would stop and smile, in sort of an embarrassed way.

I GOT A BIRTHDAY CARD with a message inside that read, "When you wish for something, be specific!" On the front of the card was a nonplussed kitty with a computer mouse between her paws. That card got me thinking about prayer.

IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, 50 people gather in an upper room of a metaphysical bookstore to hear messages from departed loved ones. In Tucson, the United Spiritualist Church of Mankind advertises "Holy Spirit communication.

OUR FAMILY INCLUDES both children born to us and adopted children who came to us at older ages. Each of our adopted children had experienced deprivations or abuse, in some cases so severe that there was little expectation for them to grow up to lead healthy, normal lives.

AFTER A FEW YEARS OF MARRIAGE , my husband and I wanted to start a family. I thought that this would be a natural and easy step for us, as we had a very loving home and felt we would make good, strong parents.

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