My sister and her family showed up at my door around 5pm that day, with Christmas gifts and luggage in hand. It was the first time we would be together in Nebraska for the holiday. I was eager to host them on my turf. But there was a wrench in the works. The water heater …
The very thing that caused me to lose my faith was the path I found to return to it. Faith has that kind of effect. I felt my faith slipping away around 20 years ago. It felt shameful because I was a professional in it. I made my living describing to young people what a …
I have friends that groan all the time about how marriage is hard. And while I agree with the implied meaning behind that statement, I balk at it being a healthy focal point. My eyes will see what I focus on, especially with these new glasses. I prefer a different definition. Marriage is Courage. If …
In case of a house fire, I have a few things in mind to grab first. I would get the photo albums in the top of the hall closet. I would fetch my Taylor guitar and I would make sure I have this card with me. It’s a miniature history of our life together in …
Conversation is a favorite pastime of mine. I guess I could even call it a hobby. I could listen for hours when I latch onto someone interesting and willing to tell their unfeigned story. I’ve been known to fall asleep on the phone mid-sentence while talking to Feng Dude. The last time it happened, my …
I just got new glasses for the first time in 10 years. I usually wear contact lenses and only rely on my frames for early morning while my eyes adjust to being awake. I’ve been wearing a current prescription with my contacts, but a very outdated one with my eyeglasses. When the new ones arrived, …
There are many great resources available to help guide my grief process. I recommend these two books that prepared me for my loss. Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande and Final Gifts, by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. It’s so helpful to hear from people who are a little further down the road that I am …
Read more “You’re Throwing Away Papers. You’re Not Throwing Away Larry.”
I had lunch with Weed yesterday and when I got to the pub late, I found him at the table reading my book. He let me know that this was the first book he had read in a long time because of dyslexia. But to overcome it, he told me how he learned over time …
It’s been important for me to recognize the role of hospitality amid my grief. In the restaurant, I tried to always make a point to my staff that we show hospitality to each other first, then to the customer. I can’t give what I don’t have. It becomes much easier to serve kindness to a …
Someone told me recently, “I liked your recent entry about faith. I wish I had faith like you.” I said “Faith isn’t usually the issue. I think what you’re talking about is your lack of Hope.” I get this from this simple definition I have adopted: Faith is being sure of what I hope for, Certain …