My recollections of sitting around the dinner table at Thanksgiving are filled with potent memories, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins galore. Eventually, the table configuration added my own family; a wife and children. As the passage of time added people to the table, it also took some away. In my mind’s eye, there are … Continue reading Empty Chairs at Thanksgiving
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…
I have to admit, reluctantly......very reluctantly, that at my age I probably have fewer years left to live than those that have already passed. That means I’m on the downward side of life. During my time on earth I have learned that life is precious, precarious, —and short. My understanding of this fact of life stands … Continue reading Its a Short Life
I enjoy live theater. There is something about the live interaction and the energy between the characters and the audience that draws me into the experience. Last week I visited a local theater to watch the world premier of a play. On this occasion, the story was set in a hospital waiting room where a woman … Continue reading Really? A Night at the Theatre about a Terminal Illness
It has been said that grief from the death of a loved one is very individualized and personal. If it hasn’t been said then I just said it! While it is true that grief is individualized there is enough similarity in everyone’s grief to be able to understand most grief journeys. I said able, not easy. My … Continue reading Grief: States not Stages
I know this is a big secret but I thought I should divulge my bias.... I'm a big fan of romance. I have seen first hand the powerful positive impact life-long romance can have on a marriage. With all of this bias in mind, along with some insight from relationship science, I recently wrote the … Continue reading Long Live Romantic Love
It’s the eve of Thanksgiving and I just put down a book, Intimate Relationships, which talks mostly about marriage. It’s one of those scholarly type books that one doesn’t just breeze through. The section I read tonight talked about the dissolution of marriage and loss. Interestingly, the topic of widows and widowers was mentioned, all … Continue reading Widowerhood, Withouts, and Thankfulness
For many the word “intimacy” brings thoughts of THAT part of the marital relationship to mind. However, in a marriage relationship THAT is only part of the overall concept of intimacy. Sorry to disappoint—and lose about half of the readers—but intimacy is a principal element in all healthy relationships. In the simplest terms intimacy can … Continue reading Relationship Intimacy
think relationally... 