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A Note to Our Readers: Looking Ahead to a New Journey

Benjamin3 Comments
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By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026

2–3 minutes

A journey is beginning, not yet fully mapped.
We wanted to share where our thoughts are headed next.

Some plans start as ideas, not itineraries.
This is one of those moments.

Steven And Benjamin

I wanted to share a brief but meaningful update with those of you who read, follow, and support this site. Over the years, this space has become more than a place to publish stories—it has become a point of connection. Because of that, it feels right to let you know something. We are quietly and thoughtfully planning it for the months ahead.

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My husband and I have started planning. We are in the early stages of what we hope will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. At this stage, everything is tentative and flexible, but the intention is sincere. Our route would take us from Phoenix to Salt Lake City. We would then travel to New York. Next, we would cross the Atlantic to Amsterdam, and continue on to Berlin. From there, we hope to spend time traveling through Germany. We also plan to visit neighboring countries. Prague is one place high on our list.

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The time-frame we are considering is September, though no dates are locked in yet. This trip is not about just checking destinations off a list. It’s more about slowing down. We want to see places with intention and appreciate the history, culture, and everyday life of the regions we visit. Germany, in particular, feels like a place where time deserves to be taken. This is true whether in cities, small towns, or the countryside in between.

This isn’t an announcement—just a looking ahead.
A few early plans, and an open door for conversation.

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The journey brings one of the most meaningful hopes. It is the possibility of meeting people I’ve come to know through writing over the years. Words have a way of building bridges, and in some cases, those connections feel more like extended family than acquaintances. If you are in or near Berlin, Prague, or Amsterdam, I would genuinely welcome your thoughts. I would also appreciate your insights if you know those places well.

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If you have advice on places that shouldn’t be missed, I would be grateful to hear them. Share routes worth taking or quieter corners that offer something special. Practical tips for traveling through these areas are also welcome. And if our paths happen to cross along the way, that would be a gift in itself.

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More details will come as plans take shape. For now, this is simply a look ahead. We invite you to share your thoughts, insights, and recommendations in the comments below.

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | ©2026

Groff Media ©2026 benandsteve.com Truth Endures

Simple Moments: How a Bench Transformed a Neighborhood

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1–2 minutes

The Bench by the Willow Tree

On the edge of town, near a quiet creek, there’s an old willow tree. Beneath its sweeping branches sits a wooden bench—simple, weather-worn, and unremarkable to anyone passing by. Yet, for the people who live nearby, it has become something more: a gathering place of unexpected kindness.

It started with an elderly woman who came to rest her legs each morning. One day, a teenager walking his dog sat down beside her. They began talking. By the time the boy left, she was smiling in a way her neighbors hadn’t seen in years. The next day, the boy came back—with coffee in hand for her.

Word spread. Soon, others began stopping at the bench. A widower brought extra tomatoes from his garden. A young mom offered homemade muffins. A pair of joggers left fresh flowers tucked into the slats. Strangers became neighbors, and neighbors became friends—all because of an old bench no one ever noticed before.

The willow still stands, and so does the bench. It hasn’t been polished, painted, or rebuilt—it doesn’t need to be. Its gift is not in how it looks. Its gift is in what it holds: conversations, kindness, and the small reminders. Even in a world that feels divided, we can still find each other in the simplest of places.

✨ The Takeaway: Sometimes hope and connection aren’t found in grand gestures. They aren’t always in perfect plans. Instead, these are found in an ordinary spot where people choose to show up for one another.

By Benjamin GroffMedia© | benandsteve.com | 2025