What Great Memories!
Good morning... After a full night's sleep, I wake in the guest room of my parent's villa in the Renaissance senior living community near my hometown of Berea, Ohio. The walls here are filled with pictures our of our extended family growing up over the years. Two of my favorite photo collages live in this room, a frame of my dad (a retired administrator at Berea High) giving high school diplomas to me, [...]
On My Mom’s 84th Birthday
Good morning... As I wake early to travel to Ohio for a visit with my parents for my mom's birthday, I think of the Anne Lamont quote: “I am all the ages I've ever been.” Turning 84 years old today, my mom is all the ages she have ever been. She is a living bundle of memories from childhood, from college days, from years of raising us three kids with my 85 year [...]
We’re On The Same Wavelength
"Good morning," she texted after yesterday's post When We Are Weak And Weary, a post highlighting the soulful symphony of birds and the positive benefits of regularly taking at least seventeen seconds to focus on something soothing, something beautiful, something life-giving. "We are on the same wavelength," my friend wrote, "I recorded this cell phone video on Saturday! So soothing - loved your reflection today." I thoroughly enjoyed the video below, and I [...]
When We’re Weak And Weary
Good morning... Even with all of the doors to our home closed and locked tight, I heard the birds bickering boldly in the middle of the night. Loud. Relentless. These unseen creatures were having a heated discussion. "If I open the door, trying to catch a glimpse, I might scare them away," I thought to myself, so I stayed still in the quiet dark listening to the symphony of their strong varying voices. [...]
Our Youngest Turned 21
Good morning... Like many once-in-a-lifetime events, the 21st birthday of our youngest child was kinda underwhelming for me. Years ago, during a particularly challenging summer with our son, I found the hand painted old fashion sign above: "Good Beer. Good Cheer. Always on tap here." I purchased it at Goodwill as a symbol of hope that our family of six would eventually make it to adulthood without any major mishaps derailing our dreams. [...]
When Best Friends Wed
Good morning... After seventeen years of dating and fifteen years of living together, yesterday was the incredibly special night our neighbors wed. We enjoy living across the street from Joe and JoAnn. She and I particularly share a similar zest for life, and we love giving random gifts to one another as the Spirit moves. Earlier in the week I dropped off on their front step a big handful of gifts, most purchased [...]
My Mom Fell Again
Good morning... Sustained by our prayers through March, April, and May, my mom miraculously opened her eyes in the ICU and came back to life at the sound of my father's voice. Recovering from a surgery to repair her broken femur following a fall in early March, my mom's health had nosedived quickly. Within 24 hours, she had suffered a stroke and a whole body infection was shutting down her organs, landing her [...]
On This Too-Heavy Day
Good morning... "Just read this lovely blessing from Kate Bowler," a friend emailed me yesterday. Before the heat of the day rose high. Before the shock of another mass shooting dropped us low. Before this night of broken sleep took its tiring toll on so many ordinary people. "Thought you would enjoy it," she added, ". . . fits perfectly my week." Sometimes I am paper thinning at every touch. Responsibilities and duties [...]
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Good morning... Developing resilience helps us to navigate life's tumult. Wars. Grief. Divorce. Addictions. Betrayals. Disappointments. Mass shootings. Mental and physical illness. Political, racial, economic polarization. How do we, ordinary people who are trying to process life's overwhelming experiences, how do we develop lifesaving resilience? I'm not asking a rhetorical question here. Really. Truly. How do we productively process the turmoil reshaping our lives? A three-fold answer begins to dawn within me. First, [...]
One Week Ago Today
Good morning... One week ago today . . . . . . "Nineteen kids came romping up the golden staircase, taking two steps at a time, sprinting toward the mother-of-pearl gates," writes beloved blogger Sean Dietrich. "It’s a wonder they didn’t knock Saint Peter over onto his Blessed Assurance. The children all smelled like little-kid sweat and stinky feet. Their loud footsteps could be heard echoing from as far away as the Andromeda [...]
We Will Remember
Good morning... During this tumultuous time when so many flags are flying at half staff, we set aside a day to remember those who have sacrificed their lives to defend the freedom we cherish. Men and women. Young and old. People with varying skin color, economic status, family history. The impact of war ripples out to reshape us. “You will lose someone you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, [...]
Our Private Tears
Good morning... Deeply moved... He went into his private room and wept there (Genesis 43:30, NIV). When we are deeply moved, might we also give ourselves the gift of private tears? You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book (Psalm 56:8, TLB). Seen. Heard. Deeply loved. Our private tears do not [...]