Beth has gone in for surgery twice in her lifetime. The first time she had a kidney removed. The second time she had tubes put into her ears. On Tuesday, she is scheduled for her third surgery, to remove the tubes previously placed in her ears. We were discussing the upcoming surgery this evening. When we reminded her that they would be taking out her tubes she asked, “Will they be putting…
Believe it or not, I actually read this stuff. I find it interesting to relate to what was going on in my life. When I get over how poorly it is written, it’s kind of cool to relive the moment. In any case, I was reading some of my more recent stuff this afternoon. I’ve come to a conclusion: I’m a bit of a whiner. Believe it or not, it hasn’t all been bad. No, I don’t…
The house is quiet at four o’clock on a Sunday afternoon. Cheryl and Beth have gone shopping and I am home alone. The end credits began to roll on a movie on cable and I switched the TV off. The sun is shining on the first full day of day-light savings time, but all the blinds are closed. It isn’t completely dark though; the light shining between the blinds keeps the house in a…
In my wanderings, I see parents who are sent to jail for not paying child support. They are given a sentence, but with a catch. They are given the “keys to their own cell.” The court makes a determination as to their immediate ability to pay. This “ability to pay” is the “key”. An example might be a term of 30 days in jail OR a payment of $100. The idea is that…
Last night I watched a news program intending to explain the circumstances leading to the terrorist attacks of September 2001. As I watched the program I learned several things, but more importantly – I was inspired. I was inspired by possibilities. I was inspired by the seemingly credible hope that better things may be possible. I was grateful for this, but I was also jealous. Here was…
You notice someone doing something that you think may be unethical. You don’t know the person committing the act very well, but you have no relationship whatsoever to the person who will be adversely effected from this act. Muddying the waters, it appears that this act – while unethical – will result in just ends (in the grand scheme of things). The person committing the act is…
In 1991 I was a college student. My girlfriend at the time was worried about a possible draft, but I was not. There was a war brewing, but I was shamefully carefree. Watching the footage on TV it all seemed so far away, almost abstract. I had no emotional attachment to what I was seeing.
Last week was different, but why?
I am twelve years older. I am no longer a college student, and I work for a…
I haven’t decided if it is better to leave or to be left. Last Friday we were heading home to finish off our trip to New Orleans. I was sitting in our car with Cheryl and Beth, the engine running, everything packed in, mentally preparing to pull out of our parking spot in my sister’s building for one last time. It was a sad moment. Travel can be a bit of an ordeal, but it is a…
He has left, and the disturbance has gone with him. You know a vacation is coming on soon when you find yourself sitting at your desk with your mind on vacation a week early. I’ve been thinking about how I’d like to do the drive and how many hours I’d like to get in the first day. I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to do when I get there and anticipating how much…
The doctor’s office is normally a quiet place to write, but not today. Since I am unable to concentrate on anything else, lets talk about what is going on here. There is a gentleman sitting two seats down that is imploring everyone to pray. “We should pray for…” – the topics vary. That things will go back to the way they were twenty years ago … that terrorists…