A Solitary Advent, Not Lonely

Ruth had almost forgotten that during the last day at school she had entered her name for giving moral support to patients in the local hospice. Therefore when there was a telephone call for her this chilly winter morning she did not expect this sudden request at all. She stammered, “Yes, indeed madam, Ruth Van der Laan speaking, but…oh, yes, of course, I will come…yes madam, three o’clock this afternoon suits me…yes, oh, very well. And thank you.” She was not prepared to fulfill this request...