The Joy of Parenting: Dear Dad

Dear Dad, Happy Father’s Day! On fifty-three occasions you have celebrated this day as a father. I wonder what your memories are of our very first one. For the record, my memory of that occasion is a little fuzzy. Over the years, my respect for you has grown, not because you are more worthy but … Continue reading The Joy of Parenting: Dear Dad

Man’s Ultimate Conquest

The Pursuit Perhaps it was months or years before the wedding. That day when your eyes locked and the pursuit of her heart began. You can remember laying awake at night thinking about ways to impress her, ways to demonstrate your affection. Time and money were no issue. You were creative too. It worked! You … Continue reading Man’s Ultimate Conquest

21 Statements a Successful Marriage Makes…

Marriage says, "Dear love of my life, ... ... I want to experience life with you until death parts us." ... I do not know what the future holds but whatever comes my way and whatever comes your way, we will face it together." ... I want to make the most of this relationship." ... I'm in this … Continue reading 21 Statements a Successful Marriage Makes…

The Destroyer Visits

It’s been said that all bonds are built on trust. This statement is never truer than in a marriage. In a healthy relationship trust grows, develops, and deepens over time. Most couples understand that there are ups and downs during life. While these times surely test trust, it is a couple’s daily interactions which offer the … Continue reading The Destroyer Visits

A Good Run

The scene has been replayed in Hollywood so often it’s becoming a cliché. You’ll recognize it. There are two guys near the end of the movie, they’ve been struggling through tremendous odds and just when we think they are going to win, they are suddenly surrounded. With no hope for survival and in the most solemn … Continue reading A Good Run

A Year Ago: Remembered

A year ago today, January 7, I was in a hospital room with Carrie as her body was steadily failing. The prognosis had gone from a fair chance of surgery which would heal her to maintenance of the spreading cancer to a few more months of life then, finally, to imminent death within a day or … Continue reading A Year Ago: Remembered

Sunday Post 103: Happy Times

Another widowed father voicing similar understanding that life still has much to offer even after experiencing a life-changing tragedy such as the death of a spouse.

The Real Fuller House

Being in the play A Christmas Carol does a lot of good for me in many ways.  When you spend 75 days listening to the lines of a grumpy old man whose only life’s focus is money, it begins to sink in.

Toward the end of the play Scrooge says, “I was just remembering my happy times.  They seem so very far away.”

I wonder how many people there are in the world who share that same sentiment.

There have certainly been times over the past couple of years when I felt like life just didn’t seem to be worth living without Lisa.  But life is big.

Perhaps I won’t ever find love like I had with her, maybe that is behind me.

But as I look at those around me, I’m beginning to realize that few of us live with every aspect of our existence exactly where we want it to be.  Fortunately for me…

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A Ready Date and Social Substitutes

One of the things I miss about not having Carrie around is always having a ready date. I am aware that this doesn't sound too romantic but stay with me a moment. For nearly 30 years (I’m including dating and rounding a little) if I wanted to do something with someone she was my first … Continue reading A Ready Date and Social Substitutes

The Ambiguity of Life

It is late Sunday evening as I begin this post. I am relaxing on my reclining leather coach. It is quiet. No television. No music. The only noise is the clicking from my wireless keyboard and the hum of the refrigerator from the kitchen. I’m staring at the walls that I painted a few weeks … Continue reading The Ambiguity of Life

A Husband as Caregiver

A Caregiver is a superhero PDF handout (don't miss the PDF above...)I recall one of the early visits to the cancer treatment center when my late wife, Carrie, was receiving a typical six to seven hour chemotherapy treatment. The oncology social worker, Kathleen, stopped by to talk. Kathleen encouraged me to stay involved with my wife during … Continue reading A Husband as Caregiver