Some times the events that occur during our childhood can have major affects on us as adults. Some of those events if tragic enough can have disastrous affects on all aspects of our life as adults. This is one story of a man trying to put his life back together as an adult. This is of course, fictional but the reality is there are many adults trying.

Karen had been very patient with her husband Jacob for their seven years of marriage. She knew that he still didn't entirely trust her with their six year old son and that frustrated her. She felt like he was afraid she would hurt him and he was so extremely protective of the child. His protective nature kicked into high gear when women were around. She wasn't sure how much longer she could endure his endless questioning any time she was alone with him.

It's Christmas time, and the holiday season is bittersweet for Paul and Debbie Noland. Seven years ago their son disappeared without a trace, and they found their faith shaken to its very core. Christmas is the Season of Miracles, however, and when a young woman named Breegan comes into their lives they find joy, celebration and a miracle of their very own.

I sat on the park bench crying my eyes out, stunned by the unreal encounter I'd had with my hospitalized father. In just one day he had gotten so much worse...

A dozen or so ducks had wandered up from the pond to come check me out. Quacking, shaking their little tails, unafraid, so darn cute. Now the ducks were making me cry.

"Sorry babies, I got nothin' for you!" I sniffed as I rummaged through my purse, hoping that somehow a bag of Duck Chow I hadn't realized I was carrying might appear in there.

Suddenly a flock of Canada geese---thinking my little friends were on to a handout---ran in and chased them all away.

"Oh," I gasped, "OH!"

And now the geese were in front of me instead, acting like I was supposed to recognize them as the more rightful recipients of whatever treats I had. I knew their type. Thugs. Schoolyard bullies. The alpha male reared his head, scornfully staring me down...

"Oh yeah?" I jeered, "I wouldn't give you nothin' even if I had it, you stupid goose. Damn right I'm talkin' to you! We're the only ones here, who else would I be talking to? Think your so bad don'tcha? Beating up on a these poor little ducks. Why don't you try picking on somebody your own size. Come on tough guy, right now! You and me!"

When from out of nowhere came a woman's voice: "Joy?"