Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” is often remembered for its familiar carol refrain, but its deeper power lies in the tension it refuses to ignore. Written during the Civil War, after Longfellow’s own life had been marked by grief and loss, the poem does not begin with naïve cheer. It begins with bells ringing out a message that feels almost impossible to believe: “Peace on earth, good will to men.” Longfellow immediately names the disconnect many of us still feel today. He describes a world “blackened, cursed by hate,” where violence and injustice seem to mock the promise of peace. This honesty is part of what makes the poem enduring. It does not deny the brokenness of the world or the reality of division. Instead, it gives voice to the despair we feel when headlines, social media, or even neighborhood conflicts suggest that goodwill has gone silent. But the poem does not end there. The bells keep ringing. That persistence matters. The bell...

  This movie (A Man Called Otto with Tom Hanks) is being screened at the Moxie Cinema in Springfield, Missouri, on Sunday, Oct. 3 at 2:30 p.m. to conclude Missouri Good Neighbor Week. Tickets are  free and available online  but are limited in number. "A Man Called Ove" by Fredrik Backman (which is the book that is the basis for the movie, "A Man Called Otto"), is a touching and emotional novel about love, loss, and the power of community. At first, Ove seems like a grumpy old man who has no patience for anyone. He follows strict rules, dislikes change, and believes things should always be done the right way—his way. However, as the story unfolds, readers discover there is much more to Ove than just his tough exterior. His story is both heartwarming and inspiring, showing us the importance of kindness, understanding, and the impact we have on the lives of those around us. One of the most powerful aspects of this book is its message about relationships with neighbors....