When I was a kid and late November turned into December, my sleeping patterns took a turn for the worse. I would go to bed and toss and turn thinking about Christmas. The big day would still be weeks away, it didn't matter. I would dream of the joy of Christmas morning. I imagined playing... Continue Reading →
My grateful list for 2025
I started a habit a few years ago of listing out some of the things that I'm grateful for each Thanksgiving. Here's a few of the things on this year's list: --Family members and great friends near and far. --My wife still loves me. Let me repeat that: my wife still loves me. In this... Continue Reading →
Celebrating in style!
I looked down at the floor. I took note of the curve of the tile. My wife would say something. I would grunt a yes or no back. I would look up occasionally, but I wasn't really sure where to focus. We were waiting in line to make our way into the funeral viewing for... Continue Reading →
The will of the river
A river charts its own path. Like the wind whipping through a valley, rivers go where they want to go. I couldn’t help but notice that the river I was admiring the other took hard right turn. It seemed to almost backtrack. I thought right away of the folksy movie Fried Green Tomatoes. In the movie, Buddy... Continue Reading →
All in a day’s work
When I think back on my dad's heart attack in 1980, I see everything happening in slow motion. My father in a flannel work shirt lying down on the sofa for a nap. My oldest brother rushing to call the local ambulance. My heart pounding with fear of the unknown. The thing that sticks out... Continue Reading →
Standing up to a bully
When I was in middle school, my friends and I were on the football team and raced from class at the other end of the hall to the locker room. We had to get into our football equipment and out onto the field. Our coaches wanted us on time. They didn't want us to be... Continue Reading →
The walk
I want to stay warm. I want to keep sitting at my desk. My heart isn't into it. Gray skies have moved in, the wind has picked up, and the temperature has dipped over the past hour. My heart questions, "Do we have to do this? Is now really the best time?" My brain tells... Continue Reading →
Rocky and raw eggs leave an impression!
I leaned in close to hear over the noisy bus. The driver kept shifting gears and it made especially hard to hear. Dana sat in his seat and let out a little smile. He knew that he had everyone's attention. He waited for the longest time and then started up again. “And then he ate... Continue Reading →
Wiping away the tears
When Dick Vermeil took over coaching the Philadelphia Eagles in 1976, he ran one of the toughest training camps in the league. This was back in the day when NFL coaches ran football training camps like boot camp. The Eagles would practice in pads and equipment for hours at a time two or three times... Continue Reading →

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