From the Olympic stadium in Ancient Greece to the banks of the Housatonic River … E.S. Kraay writes stories about things that make a difference.
A native of the Berkshire Hills in Western Massachusetts, I cherish fond memories of Tanglewood, the Pittsfield Public Library, Herman Melville, Norman Rockwell, Richmond Pond, Pontoosuc Lake, the Hashim Boys, Rudy Benedetti, my Auntie and Babcia in Housatonic and my Aunt Sadie in Westfield, and so many, many other people and places that remain dear to my heart.
As a young boy, I was blessed with a wonderful English teacher, Norman Najimy. Mr. Najimy had a passion for the written word, and his passion still burns in me and drives me to write books. He inspired me to read every night. That was half a century ago, and I haven’t missed a night since. Before I was a student of Norman Najimy’s, my life’s dream was to be an archaeologist. After that eighth-grade English class, I wanted to write books.
I wandered for 40 years in the desert and did not fulfill that ambition until 2008when The Olympian was published. Eighteen years and well over a half-million words later, I claim seven novels and two meditative collections.
My heart has led me to each story with the conviction that despite the challenges we face as members of an ever-expanding universe, someone, somewhere will always rise to do what’s morally right for this planet we call Earth and for the billions of creatures who inhabit it.
Mitakuye Oyasin
Stewardship
The dictionary defines stewardship as the careful, ethical, and responsible management of resources or things entrusted to one’s care. This week, my daughter “mutually agreed to part ways” with the university she has coached at for six years. I view coaching at any level as stewardship. This morning, she shared a message she received from…
For 25 years, I’ve carried a list of ideas for novels and other books. Following the publication of my last novel, The Faith of Job in 2021, and my book of reflections in 2024, I started and stopped several manuscripts. Unlike Stephen King and Steven Pressfield, my powers of concentration are waning. Similarly, 25 years…
This is a guest post by my youngest son Jesse. I’ve realized something about myself… I love praying for people. Not because I have everything figured out. I don’t. Not because my faith has always been perfect. It hasn’t. But I know what it feels like to go through seasons where you’re carrying bad things…