​​Trace Moments
Jeff was running late - stuck in traffic, slowly making his way to the Medical Center. Traffic seemed unusually heavy for a Saturday morning. ​​

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Just Pray
Pray without fluff, without the ceremony. Instead, give praise to God and state your need, in the name of Jesus. That's all. 

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​Becky's Song
It’s a cool, spring day in Arkansas. A city bus stops in front of the clinic. Becky’s mom takes a deep breath, finding courage to get off and enter the building.

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Innocence Lost - A Soldier's Story
It is late in the evening. Light from the television covers Jesse as he lies on the couch. Half awake, he hears a report on CNN. 




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Alice and Ben

New Recruit

The Last Great American Novel
​- the beginning

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Tater Salad

It was always a treat to go visit Mi-ma in the Heights. Being in that house soothed my soul. It was calm - a slower pace. As grandmothers go, she was ideal. She spoiled me and was caring. She loved me.

The Innocence

I'm so bored. After playing outside all day, I sit in my room. Nothing to do for this 11 year old. Moments ago,  I finished my supper – Mom made pork chops with mash potatoes. I suppose I can doodle until bedtime.

Goodbye to Mi-Ma

Mi-ma’s health became poor due to many years of smoking. The doctor asked her to stop but she never did. She would hide it, smoke in her bathroom. We all knew but never said a word.
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Today is the day!

The alarm clock goes off playing a new song by Bon Jovi - "You Give Love a Bad Name". My parents left for work and I’m struggling to get out of bed. As with any typical high school senior in 1986, I would rather sleep the day away.

She Was a Lady After All...

The halls of Hofheinz Pavilion are crowded. As graduation ends, friends and family slowly funnel toward the exits. My daughter Caitlin is now a high school graduate. Outside, the sun starts to bake. The air becomes still as my Mom and I wait for her.

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To be notified of new material or eager to sign me to a multi-million dollar book deal, please let me know below...
​

I’m Mark and welcome to my mind. 

I am a former Op-Ed
​Staff Columnist for the University of Houston - Downtown newspaper - Dateline Downtown. 

By day, I am a Control Systems Engineer.
​
By night, I enter my world of snappin’ beans and other things. 
 
I hope y’all enjoy my column. I write because I love it.

I write… therefore I am.

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