Jim Stitzel
Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of WordsExcerpts from Life
Tribe
I'm tired. Frankly, I'm exhausted. And I hurt. Everywhere. My mind is in pain, and my body responds in kind, translating that emotional turmoil into physical suffering. I'd like nothing better right now than for somebody to take me in their arms and hold me and tell...
Unexpected Pathways
This past week has been a whirlwind of the unexpected. I started a new job at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc., something I never anticipated I ever do. I've avoided anything to do with factory work over the last three years as I've fought my battle with anxiety...
On Church Shopping and Unexpected Surprises
For the past year, I've been on the hunt for a new church home. Having settled myself in a new town and worked to re-orient my life to be centered here as much as possible, I started out by visiting several local churches. In every case, I ended up feeling...
Fiction
Splitting the Sky
Lightning splits the sky, making contact with the lightning rod on the Capital building. Only, instead of disappearing, the bolt remains, freeze-framed between cloud and building. Another bolt, and another freeze-frame. Over the course of the next ten minutes, dozens...
The Scratch
It started out as a scratch. A cat scratch, at that. The crazy kitty lanced a slash across my forearm that was deep enough to bleed. I washed it with soap and water and thought that was the end of it. Then I woke up in the night to the scratch burning and itching like...
Singing in the Dark
I walked narrow, dusky corridors alone. I no longer heard your laugh, but somehow I knew you were okay. You were built for these passageways, in a way I never was. I knew I’d find you eventually, though. It was just a matter of time and patience. Then I heard your...