Author Archives: carolyncustisjames

In Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women, journalist Geraldine Brooks tells the disturbing story of a Palestinian woman who was the fifth daughter in a family desperate for sons. Her parents named her Tamam (meaning “enough” or … Continue reading →

Even though I know a full year in advance that the Christmas holidays are coming, I am inevitably caught off-guard. Getting behind with Christmas decorating, shopping and baking is one thing. Poor planning for the birth of a child, however, … Continue reading →

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make an ezer[helper] suitable for him.” —Genesis 2:18 Three A.M., and my life was about to change forever. I was wide-awake. No, I wasn’t tossing … Continue reading →