Writing from the Heart with Brian
Think, Laugh, & Cry Each Day
I pulled the ax over my head and thrust it down hard on the large log in front of me. Thwack! I took another swing. Thwack! And another and another. When I was in high school, I worked several summers on a small farm. The farmer hired me to do odd jobs like mowing his... Continue Reading →
Two boys grow up on the same street. They have a wonderful childhood. They love to play kickball, hide-and-seek, and ride their bikes. They put baseball cards on the spokes of their bikes to make a motorcycle-like rat-a-tat engine sound. They both have strict instructions. They can stay out and play with friends. When mom... Continue Reading →
A friend wished me well the other day and told me to keep the faith. When I hung up the phone, I found myself thinking about my friend's comment. What does keeping the faith even mean? Is it religious? Is it spiritual? Oh, I get the context of unwavering trust in God and to the... Continue Reading →
Merry Christmas! "And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."--Luke 2:7 --"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have... Continue Reading →
(Reposted from Dec. 25, 2015.) When I heard the song "Ave Maria" and a few others a few years ago, it inspired me to imagine in my own words what it must have been like to walk in Mary's shoes. Here’s my story from 2015. . . . My beautiful, beautiful baby boy rests peacefully... Continue Reading →
Dear Santa, I can't believe it's been a year since we last talked. The news of the day has been trying. There's war. There's people struggling to get by. The world needs you now more than ever. We need your kindness and caring. We need your hope and optimism for a better tomorrow. Mostly, we... Continue Reading →
I find it helps to remember that I have two choices at Christmas. I can approach Christmas morning with the image of Mary and Joseph and the baby Jesus resting together after a busy night. I think of their long journey full of obstacles. I imagine them tired, but thankful and filled with love, hope,... Continue Reading →
When my three kids were young, Christmas Morning was about all the normal things: Santa Claus and his reindeer; presents under the tree; and ripping the wrapping paper and playing with all their new toys. As a parent we tried to teach them about giving and sharing. We worried about them getting the true meaning... Continue Reading →
(I first ran this story in 2017. My babies are grown now. But, I've never stopped worrying about them.) Last week when I was rifling through a box in our basement, I found an old calendar. I started to push it aside, but something caught my eye. My wife must have had an appointment with... Continue Reading →
Writing from the Heart with Brian 
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