I remember having an argument with a friend and his dad, an LAPD officer. The dad put us two teens into a scenario that he’s seen often — you’re a cop and you’ve just busted a local drug lord. There’s cash everywhere in one of the rooms and you’re alone. It hasn’t been counted and “no one” would know that you took some of it. Would you take any of the money?

This year, I spoke in church on Mother’s Day. As one would expect, I focused on the sacred calling that motherhood is; however, since I’m not a mother, I looked at this topic from the perspective of a mother who has experienced much in her life — my mother.

I had never thought about the two groups selected to worship the newborn Savior of the world until now. After some reflection, I came to realize the differences between these groups symbolize one’s willingness to serve under any circumstance.

I’ve been listening to Handel’s Messiah since it’s Christmas and Bryan and I’ll be attending a sing-along in Downtown LA later this month. The music is wonderful, but today, I heard an aria I’d never really listened to before. It comes right after the ever popular “Hallelujah!” chorus, and it is a Soprano aria based upon my favorite scripture of all time: Job 19:25–26.

Many couples have one song that puts them in the mood — Bryan and I have over 200 that span genres and decades.

Very early in our courtship, I was inspired to send him a song every day to express my feelings for him. What followed became a catalog of love songs that journaled the range of emotions I, and sometimes we, felt as the love between us grew.

One day as I was spending way too much time surfing Facebook, I stumbled into a friend’s page of favorite quotes. Some were pithy while others profound, but there was one that offered me the best advice for an interview I know I will have one day that I need to begin preparing for now.

Years ago as I was moving out on my own, I had the daunting yet exciting task of purchasing my own bed — not a hand-me-down, but a brand new bed I had selected. I was beside myself!

So, I went to a store with a large selection of mattresses and tried out every bed on the showroom floor.

Rodney R Fuller, circa 1985

For some reason, I’ve been thinking about my brother Rodney. He was born nine years before I was and as far as I can tell, my major caretaker when I was a wee lass. His nickname for me was “Poops” — I’ll give you one guess what I did to deserve that moniker.

If there’s someone you can talk to
Someone no one can replace –

If there’s someone you can laugh with,
’till the tears run down your face –

If there’s someone you can turn to
When you need a helping hand –

If there’s someone you can count on,
To advise and understand –

If there’s someone you can sit with,
And not need to say a word –

If there’s someone you can trust,
To keep each confidence she’s heard –

If there’s someone you can think of,
As each year comes to an end,

Then you’re a very lucky person,
For you’ve found an eternal friend.

“But you’re so intelligent …”

Over the last few months, this one unfinished statement has rung in my mind. It is based on a very brief conversation I had with a dear friend regarding the issue of gay marriage. I don’t support the practice of it, whereas my friend does.