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 →
I went into the belly of the beast. I saw the news reports about the coming snowstorm. Local weather forecasters were talking about the storm, the threat of double digit snow amounts, and the threat of electrical outages days in advance. They suggested that homeowners keep a fresh batch of food, water, and batteries available.... Continue Reading →
I walked out of the doctor's office and got into my car. I can't tell you the last time I've eaten McDonald's or Wendy's. I try to eat healthy. However, I found myself suddenly fighting the urge to stop. The urge was like a magnet pulling on me. I nearly turned my car in the... 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 →
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 I was a kid, I would often get tongue-tied. My brain would jump four steps ahead of my mouth and my thoughts would come out in a jumbled mess. It was a mix of a stutter and stammer. When I hit a rough patch in school, usually once or twice a week, I would've... Continue Reading →
I have a tendency to lose things. I hate that feeling of needing to pull out my wallet and finding that it's missing. "Damn it, where did I put it now." To avoid that feeling, I try to put my keys, wallet, change, and phone in the same place each night. I put them in... Continue Reading →
The shop manager at my local garage pulls me out of the waiting room. He talks in quick, muffled bursts and carries a clipboard that has billing sheet with an outline of a car. He points to the tires. I make out only a few words, but I definitely hear tire rotation and alignment. For... Continue Reading →
(I first ran this piece in November 2016. Volunteering never goes out of style.) The husband and wife couldn’t have been more grateful. The woman asked if we wanted something to drink or eat. I told her that I was fine and got right to work. A large group of coworkers and I were helping... Continue Reading →
Writing from the Heart with Brian 
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