saint john – 300 words a day

Waiting a little while longer.

I headed to the mall alone on Christmas eve morning. I wasn’t there to walk. I had last-minute arrangements to make. And I wasn’t alone. The mall was already full. I stopped by the fountain. The crowded tension was stifling. “Sit down,” a familiar voice said. I turned and saw Saint John pointing at the […]

by Jon Swanson

Saint John and the Cubs.

Nancy and I walked past Arnie’s Jerseys and Stuff. It’s the local sports memorabilia store. We usually ignore it, not being fans of the teams, the old players, or the markups. This time I stopped, staring at the Ernie Banks Cubs uniform shirt. It was part of a display of Cubs items. After they won […]

by Jon Swanson

Advent 26: Saint John and the books.

It was the day after Christmas. Saint John of the Mall was sitting in front of Barnes and Noble. Through the doorway we could see piles of books on tables. Every table had a sign: “Best books of 2016” and “Making the most of 2017” and “Clearance.” “All those stories,” I said. “All that creativity. […]

by Jon Swanson

Advent 25: Merry Christmas

The mall is closed today. I’m not sure where John is. I’ll be at the hospital. I’m expecting to see him listening to patients, understanding their fear, offering them hope. I’m expecting to hear him talking with family members who are watching for any movement at all. I’m expecting to be reminded to love like […]

by Jon Swanson

Advent 24: Waiting with Saint John