LINDA SAMMARITAN
When God says no to my shortsighted demands, He shows me the beauty beyond.
Worthy of our Praise
Do you ever feel God doesn’t hear your prayers, that He doesn’t care? Have you been praying a specific prayer for forever, and nothing has happened?
I’m not promising easy answers to those questions. I’m still seeking answers myself. No cookie cutter solutions–which I’m sure you’ve already given up on, but I hope this blog site and author website can provide hope while we both wait for the God of the universe to finish His work behind the scenes.
Like us, Debbie and her family, the main characters in Sparkles from Silence, are waiting on God to help them through their struggles and trials in life. Once a month, I post some little detail related to the plot. Something in life worthy of reflection. The questions we have for God, questions Debbie might consider. Occasionally, I add photos of my sister and our family, the real-life Debbie, Krista, Phil, and Wayne!
Also once a month, I post an article related to thoughts on God and people and the universe–spiritual metaphors.
I trust He has a perfect plan for me–and for you. Plans to make us better than we ever dreamed. The God who set the galaxies in motion and who put together all the parts of an atom is more than worthy of our praise!
My Blog
Maybe Today
“I’ve prayed and prayed, and God doesn’t answer.” How many times have I heard that from frustrated...
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Savor the Moments
My initiation into the world of sports began thirty-five years ago when my oldest son...
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Promises Kept
The granddaughters had walked their baby dolls in the stroller, put together some puzzles, played...
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Families Aren’t Like That Anymore
"Families aren't like that anymore." I've heard this comment repeatedly from my critique groups...
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Interview with Chip Mattis
Earlier this week, I reviewed a picture book that has the potential to be loved for generations....
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Under the Dancing Tree by Chip Mattis
Under the Dancing Tree is one of those rare picture books that caresses my heartstrings with the...
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World Without Sound
World Without Sound is a fictionalized version of our family’s struggle to communicate with my deaf sister. Tricia was a “German Measles” baby, born at the end of 1964 in the middle of the rubella epidemic. Hundreds of thousands of children were born with severe disabilities.
Tricia is profoundly deaf. She is also blind in one eye and has a mild case of cerebral palsy. At three months old, she underwent pioneer open-heart surgery to close a hole in the aorta.
What was it like to grow up with a sibling who couldn’t hear or speak? How did she learn our language? World Without Sound shares those answers with all who are interested.
Short Stories in Anthologies
While I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction, I don’t write in those genres. My writing portrays real life, and each of my published short stories is grounded in a true event.
“Right 232” in Light Bearers is nonfiction. My father never told us what happened until years after his miracle.
“Higher Ground” in Hodgepodege recounts some real events that my parents experienced in Hurricane Irene.
The idea for “Save the Last Dance” in Dancing Up a Storm came from my high school years. However, the main character is a vague (and better) version of me at that age!
ASL
Fifty years ago, most schools for the deaf believed teaching deaf children to speak was the most helpful form of education if they were to get along in the hearing world. So I never learned sign language when I lived at home with my sister. Times and attitudes have changed.