A powerful yet simple truth is that we learn quite a lot from observation. I’ve been thinking about that this morning, and recalling incidents in which I developed and changed over my lifetime as a result of watching others. I can recall, for example, the great power of observing my grandma kneeling at her bedside,Continue reading “The power of observation”
Tag Archives: love
Endings and beginnings
My heart is heavy after learning that a lifelong family friend died last night from a short battle with cancer. She is free from suffering and pain and with her Savior, for which I give thanks. I still grieve for her and the family and friends left behind — I can’t help but feel —Continue reading “Endings and beginnings”
Ready or not
Ready or not, here comes the Fall. I’m not. Ready, that is. On my plate today, among many other things, is to finish grading final papers for my summer class. When I looked at enrollment for my Fall class, I found to my surprise that there are 22 people on the list. That’s more thanContinue reading “Ready or not”
We all want acceptance
We all want acceptance. Or so it seems to me, at least on some level. We want and hope to be accepted for who and what we are, to be affirmed and loved and cherished and honored as is, not for who we might be or even want to be. This is the root ofContinue reading “We all want acceptance”
More to come
An older brother told me that as a birthday present, all of my siblings and my mother had contributed to buy me a Nikon 70-300mm zoom lens for my new, used camera. I couldn’t believe it and am a bit ashamed to say that I broke down in tears. No, I sobbed. A dream ofContinue reading “More to come”
Capacity for hurt
Many separate and unrelated situations lately have been hurtful. This leads me to a thought early in the morning of another day: Our capacity for hurt may be great, but our capacity to forgive must be greater if we are to remain functional and whole. I struggle with the forgiveness part, I’ll admit. It’s especiallyContinue reading “Capacity for hurt”
Secrets and lies and photographs
Fifty years ago, a split happened in the Christian fellowship that my family was a part of going back at least two generations. The split was catastrophic, literally and figuratively tearing apart and destroying families all over the world, separating husbands from wives, parents from children and grandchildren, siblings from siblings, frequently by force. InContinue reading “Secrets and lies and photographs”
Fewer days ahead than behind
For me, there are fewer days ahead than behind. It’s a little weird to think about. What does that mean? What can be done about it? What might change as a result of this reality? Big questions, with few clear answers. For starters, this does not represent some sort of crisis. It just is theContinue reading “Fewer days ahead than behind”
I can’t breathe
“I can’t breathe.” This simple statement resonates around the world today, especially for people of color. It’s something that multiple people have said over and over again as they lay dying at the hands of police. It has rightfully become a rallying cry against injustice, oppression, and mistreatment. It resonates powerfully with me as well,Continue reading “I can’t breathe”
Difficult and dark
Things continue to be difficult and dark. The book of Psalms is a source of comfort and strength as it has been for so many centuries for so many people. I may have mentioned it before but Psalm 121 is an example of what I mean. This dog also brightens my every day with herContinue reading “Difficult and dark”
The OW Factor 