The chocolate filling
My friend and I stood at the pastry stall, debating our choices. “I’d really like to get the chocolate croissant, but only if it has the chocolate filling!” “I think it d... »
Amy Joy Mizrany
Celebrate the positive
When it nears the end of the year, most of my focus goes towards Christmas. It’s an exciting and larger-than-life kind of event. But there’s also the aspect of December b... »
The faith jump
“Look, Auntie Amy, look!” My niece had climbed to the top of a platform at the playground, and she stood waving at me excitedly. “Wow! Good for you!” I came closer until... »
The making of a violin
One morning, I walked into my music teacher’s classroom to start my violin lesson and noticed two violins on the desk. My eye was immediately drawn to the first one, whic... »
Which game are you playing?
“Take the shot! Take the shot!!” There he stood, the football at his feet, the goal wide open, the rest of his team yelling more than enough encouragement, while the othe... »
Golden repairs
A book I was reading mentioned a form of Japanese pottery repair called kintsugi. This means “golden joinery” or “golden repairs” and it is the art of fixing broken potte... »
The kind deed that backfired
I don’t know a time when my heart had felt quite so hurt. I had done a favor for a friend, and now I heard that he thought I had malicious feelings towards him. For reaso... »
Ask! — and you will receive!
It was exam day for my brother and me. All the late evenings we had spent studying were about to be put to the test. We had taken one exam already. Our lecturer sent us a... »
Peace in the storm
After a busy day of work, my colleague and I had one last stop. We loaded our van with educational materials and headed to drop them off at a little library. This library... »
The bishop’s candlesticks
The many stories Victor Hugo weaves in Les Misérables are powerful and memorable. My favorite one is about the ex-convict Jean Valjean and a small-town bishop. After bein... »
The meaning of Christmas
It’s Christmas, and I love to sing! It’s almost a subconscious action at this point—whether I’m walking or sitting or on my phone, I’ll be singing. It’s something I do th... »
The greatest moment
I’ve always thought it was fitting that Jesus’ crucifixion took place on a hill. His cross was raised above the pathways and bustle. You had to travel up to it, you had t... »