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 …
My eyes leak regularly and I’m OK with that now. I tear up daily and often several times a the day. My Today’s a Good Day song might move me somehow. The show on Netflix this week spurs emotion. Your story about your loss might trigger something in me. All of these experiences are somehow …
Faith informs every aspect of my life. It is central in my decision making process. It guides my thinking and how I observe the world around me. It influences my view of politics and community involvement. And certainly the most fun part about faith is how it prompts me to engage people in my life. …
My dad had a number of proverbs that he often quoted to me as an impressionable young man. Some of which were a bit racy and would incur a chiding from mom. “Jack, don’t use that language with him.” She especially didn’t like it when he explained to me, “Son, all that glitters is not …
I feel like I turned a corner a couple of weeks ago in my grief process. Light is returning to my eyes and I am not squinting as much any more. I am acquainted enough with grief to know that I need not fear this condition. Isn’t it easy to be fearful when things are …
Words are powerful. I don’t take them for granted. I don’t like verbal fighting for this reason. I’m afraid I will say something I regret. I’m usually a risk taker, but I am very cautious when it comes to speaking. In 2011, I was invited to present a talk at TEDx Lincoln on the topic …
Listen to The Parting Glass by Cara Dillon Those in attendance probably didn’t notice, but I held a wake last night. The book signing at Francie & Finch was a culmination of many years and of energy expended to sustain an idea. One that was bigger than the restaurant, Bigger than simple food and drink. …
I share these thoughts this morning with a disclaimer. Grief is a personal journey. It is non-linear. It comes in waves. Sometimes those waves feel oppressive and induce a sense of drowning. Those who are currently in that ocean or have swam in it understand this first hand. But how one treads that tumultuous water …
I can tell by the hesitance on your face before you say it. You try to catch yourself before the words come out of your mouth because you don’t want to do anything wrong. It’s because you care and you want to know, so let me give you permission to go ahead and ask. How …