100 Words

Everyone Has a Back Story

July 18th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

Long before the backstory of the Wicked Witch of the West was written and became the musical and movie Wicked, my husband would regularly remind me that everyone has a backstory. Backstories typically prompt kindness or forgiveness or looser standards. I never thought of back stories having glory until one morning at Costco.

A favorite employee was giving samples of an electrolyte drink. I said I would ask my husband his opinion as he used electrolyte drinks during training for marathons.

I never ran. but I started cross-country skiing at the age of eight. When I was fourteen, I won a silver medal, which I still have. A Russian won the gold.
Maria from Poland

I hope to learn more.

I recently attended the memorial services of a neighbor. We had casually chatted in our yards—usually about flowers. I now know she helped raise baby twins when she was a teenager and later raised her sister’s children. She mentored a teenage co-worker and sewed the teen’s prom dresses.

I wish I could know more.

I’ve thought many times how interesting my family and friends are. Now I want to learn their backstories.

What is your shareable but unshared backstory?

Friendship, Relationships

Included and Remembered

July 11th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

My 4th of July birthday has special advantages. My mother yearly pointed out that my father and much of the nation had the day off. Friends and family members mentioned the fireworks. Uncle Gene’s standard joke was,

I called the White House, and they scheduled fireworks over the Capitol for you.

In 1958, The Greensboro Daily News wanted a photo of a child turning one on the 4th of July. The assigned photographer knew my parents.

I had just finished my nap when the photographer arrived.

The best part of a July 4th birthday is never mentioned. My birthday and I are not forgotten.

As I read my birthday wishes and know others are thinking of me as they celebrate—they tell me they do—I reflect on the beginning of those relationships. Inclusion. How can I resist someone who includes me in their life? How blessed I have been from including others in mine.

There is no single “magic” moment that defines the start of a friendship.
Anonymous

I know the intent of the quote, but I disagree. All friendships can be traced to a moment of inclusion, whether we remember that moment or knew where it would lead.

Decisions, God's Faithfulness

Enjoying the Story

July 4th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

I have told you that my mom reads the last chapter of the book so she can enjoy the story because she knows how it ends. When we were kids, she went to the computer in the middle of a movie to find out how it ended.
My son

I’m guilty as charged. I claim I’ve run out of adrenaline or else I need to save it because my supply is short. That may be true. I didn’t read the last chapter of books when I was young.

Twenty years ago, I stood with my oldest sons for a for a high school graduation photo. I thought, “I wish I had known how it would turn out. I wouldn’t have worried so much.”

As I turn sixty-nine, I want to apply the lesson of fiction to my real life. I want to enjoy my story and the stories of others much more because I know the ending.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.
Revelation 21:3 (ESV)

Parenting

Let’s Make a Memory. Or Not.

June 27th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

I wanted my children to have wonderful memories of their years with us, and I worked hard to create them. “Do you remember?” I later asked and waited for the excitement or joy or whatever I hoped to create.

No. I don’t remember.

Was the experience wasted? Maybe. Maybe Not.

Moments after entering the Lewis Ginter Memorial Gardens one holiday, a child yelled, “Butterfly, Butterfly.” Children were running everywhere because, unbeknownst to me, I had chosen a free admission day to visit the LEGO® creations in the gardens.

Given my experience with my now adult sons, I figured these exuberant youngsters would probably not remember the day. However, as they explored the area, they were receiving something just as good if not better than a memory—joy, laughter, wonder, curiosity, and adventure.

Children rarely get what we expect from an experience. When my youngest was four, he went to George Washington’s birthplace with my mother and sister. On his return, I asked about his adventure i.e. his memories. He saw a horse poop. Big stuff for a preschooler—both literally and figuratively.

May God give us grace to choose moments over making memories.

God's Faithfulness

My Surprise: Brought to Light

June 20th, 2026
Mollie T. Cox

When I went to bed last week, my cyclamen was alone, or so I thought. Unbeknownst to me, a growing pinhead was hiding under the leaves. Less than twelve hours later, a 4-inch common gilled mushroom was sharing the cyclamen’s pot.

I marveled at my morning surprise. After lamenting that I didn’t have children to share the wonder, especially my fall students, I used the Seek app and set about learning.

A common gilled mushroom was the closet match and satisfyingly fascinating. These mushrooms can release 100 million spores per hour. Spores are carried by wind, rain, insects, and birds, which answered my question of how one arrived. My cyclamen has had a few ventures outdoors, but they were on my second-floor deck.

I’m always looking for spiritual applications and there were several. Here are two.

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
Luke 8:17 (ESV)

And he said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises day and night, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how.
Mark 4:26-27 (ESV)