Category Archive: Cindy Koch

What if You’re Wrong?

By Cindy Koch –

Some things hide deep behind all emotion. Some things dwell there that I never really had to think about. From the childhood memories, to the teenage explorations, to the adult reasoning, I have inexplicably known certain things about myself. And I’m sure everyone does. We live with ourselves—our thoughts, our reactions, our hopes and dreams—and we construct a unique identity deep within our familiar walls of own flesh and bone. I can remember the scared little girl silently terrified in the dark. I can recall the secret confusion and solitary triumphs found only in the treasury of my mind. I have tried to learn how to deal with this ugly, harsh world by trial and error, failure and tears. I have fought to find a path of beauty and comfort for my ever-tender heart, building my strength as an individual every single day.

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New Year’s Confession: I Hate Running

By Cindy Koch –

One foot in front of the other. Looking down at the earth, my unnaturally white shoes break loose the top layer of dust that has been pressed down by years of runners. Keep going. Looking up to the sky, a cold breeze rushes through my gasping airways, nearly suffocating every icy breath. New Year’s running programs must happen to me from time to time. But each and every new resolution I boldly commit to always starts with paying a price. Aching ankles, dizzying exhaustion, and a frustrated spirit.

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The days after Joy

By Cindy Koch –

Mountains of colored paper, wrinkled and ripped, pushed behind the aging tree. Yesterday’s sparkling lights now highlight the dry needles, littering the floor where the presents used to be. Imprints of bows crease the useless frayed ribbons hidden beneath that pile of past promises. That once exciting horizon of a joyful Christmas has quickly darkened into the routine of clean-up and mundane reality. It came for such a short time and has left us no better off than before.

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Have yourself an apathetic little Christmas

By Cindy Koch –

It’s only a week away. Baking, wrapping, and packaging. Mailing, singing, and giving. Parties, church services, and family dinners. Frantically running, exhaustedly buying, tension and family stress is building. Everything is pointing to that final day, December 25, when we will culminate with cries of Christmas joy. But the closer we get, the more frustrated we seem to become. Because all of our attention is pointed at a day that does not last long enough. It is almost more disappointing than joyful. And as soon as Christmas arrives, December 26 follows—and the celebration is over.

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What’s with Mary? She’s not all that

By Cindy Koch –

Do you see that girl that sits alone over there? The young one, not especially beautiful, but not unlike any of her other friends in our tiny city called Nazareth. Mother makes her draw water in the morning; father made sure there was an upstanding Jewish boy waiting to marry her. Everything was completely ordinary and plain in that little Mary’s life until the one day when she said an angel showed up.

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The Ugly Side of Love

By Cindy Koch –

Perhaps you have loved someone. The relationship was good and fruitful. You felt safe and could talk about anything. You enjoyed spending time with this person, be it your spouse or sister, your father or friend. You were eager to do what was necessary to keep this love aflame. You endured through troubles, hardships, and even a little pain for the sake of your love. But always, in the end, you knew your love would be returned.

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Creations Create

By Cindy Koch –

Just like any other Sunday, the ushers marched down the center aisle halfway through the church service. Their leather dress shoes kept even time with the piano music during the offering. As they passed our pew, I noticed neither one of the gentlemen were looking at their destination. Their heads were tipped to the right and they both wore a proud, goofy smile. I scanned the rest of the congregation for a clue to their delight. In a wave of curiosity, every man woman and child also turned to focus on the grand piano on the side of the church.

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Windows Wide Open

By Cindy Koch –

It was strange to see such a man so very proud of a pristine window. It was quite beautiful, in fact. The clear glass sparkled as tiny raindrops glittered the surface. Pretty lace curtains were tucked carefully at each edge. They gently draped to frame a perfectly symmetrical arrangement of vases and flowers. Two identical small cream ceramic vessels took their place on either side of one larger vase trimmed in gold, lavender flowers of plastic positioned gloriously in the center. Just beyond the flawless display, the heart of the house lay exposed, for all to see. A shiny glass dining room table presented four table settings. A crystal chandelier hung directly over the spotless centerpiece. Looking deep into the room behind the shiny glass, not one thing was out of place. Symmetry, cleanliness, order, perfection lay just behind the wide open window.

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