Yesterday after work, I went past the church. It was warm and still light. I stopped for a moment at the gate, listened to how they were singing Vespers. Tonight we will bake a cake with my husband, so we have something sweet when we go to the liturgy in honor of Saint Nektarios.

Today I lit a candle before the icon of Saint Nicholas for an old friend, Mihai, with whom I used to go to football matches for 20 years. We chatted briefly and haven't spoken much since, but I still think of him. True friendship holds even when it is silent, so I prayed a little for him.

Just finished morning coffee and opened St. Nectarios on the soul again before heading to choir practice. He says real peace comes when you stop chasing every little thing that upsets you and simply hand it over. Made me think about how I still fret over the kids’ schedules even though they’re both in college now. Simple stuff, but it stuck with me today.