memories

A Song in the Breeze

| Laura Lee Bonde

Yesterday in the park, we brought worship and conversation to Lee. As we approached the meeting place, Christine (my friend from work) and I noticed that only Lee was there. I had brought three chairs, so even if no one else showed up, we would be able to site and chat with him during the whole lunch hour. We were excited!

As we grew closer to him, I noticed his “luggage” was nowhere in sight, so again, he had his friend watch it, so he could have a “normal” afternoon of worship. Continue reading →

To Be Given an Hour

| Laura Lee Bonde

The other day, a friend posted something that said, “If you had an hour to spend talking with someone, who would it be with” (or something like that). I immediately thought of my dad, Paul Bonde. And since then, at different moments, I’ve thought about him, and most of those thoughts have traveled with tears, tears that flow like a river inside but barely show on the outside, tears that speak of joy, sadness, hope. Because I’ve been feeling so much about it, I thought I’d share it with you.   Continue reading →

Neon Tears

| Laura Lee Bonde
At the starting line
At the starting line

Last night, Katie and I participated in a neon color run. It’s a 5K that was run at 8pm, music blasting, packets of powder exploding in the air, colored powder being thrown at you at different stations. It’s meant to be fun, but last night, that’s not exactly how it went.

At times, my daughter can be a little moody, and I love her through every mood, which is, sometimes, easier said than done. The beginning of the race was exciting. They had techno music blasting, people yelling in unison, jumping up and down, dancing. The energy was alive, and then we took off. Continue reading →

Meet Emil

| Laura Lee Bonde
Me and Emil 1-15-15
Me and Emil 1-15-15

This is my friend from the bus stop outside of my work. When I first met him a few months ago, he was grumpy. Look at him now!!

Since the first day I met him, what’s happened?

He let me bless him.
He let me pray over him.
Prayers were answered…freaked him out.
He almost died.
He was placed in a home.
He believes in God.
Transformation.

Over time, I’ve talked with him, laughed with him, loved him. We’ve become friends. He is the sweetest man! He used to be grumpy. Now, he’s not. I never know when I will catch him at the bus stop. Yesterday, I was so happy and surprised to see him, and he felt the same way about seeing me. I rarely have my phone on me at work, so after we talked for a little, I ran in and grabbed my friend to take a picture of us. I’m so glad because in case I never see him again, I will always have this picture!