In case of a house fire, I have a few things in mind to grab first. I would get the photo albums in the top of the hall closet. I would fetch my Taylor guitar and I would make sure I have this card with me. It’s a miniature history of our life together in …
Conversation is a favorite pastime of mine. I guess I could even call it a hobby. I could listen for hours when I latch onto someone interesting and willing to tell their unfeigned story. I’ve been known to fall asleep on the phone mid-sentence while talking to Feng Dude. The last time it happened, my …
I just got new glasses for the first time in 10 years. I usually wear contact lenses and only rely on my frames for early morning while my eyes adjust to being awake. I’ve been wearing a current prescription with my contacts, but a very outdated one with my eyeglasses. When the new ones arrived, …
There are many great resources available to help guide my grief process. I recommend these two books that prepared me for my loss. Being Mortal, by Atul Gawande and Final Gifts, by Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley. It’s so helpful to hear from people who are a little further down the road that I am …
Read more “You’re Throwing Away Papers. You’re Not Throwing Away Larry.”
I had lunch with Weed yesterday and when I got to the pub late, I found him at the table reading my book. He let me know that this was the first book he had read in a long time because of dyslexia. But to overcome it, he told me how he learned over time …
It’s been important for me to recognize the role of hospitality amid my grief. In the restaurant, I tried to always make a point to my staff that we show hospitality to each other first, then to the customer. I can’t give what I don’t have. It becomes much easier to serve kindness to a …
Someone told me recently, “I liked your recent entry about faith. I wish I had faith like you.” I said “Faith isn’t usually the issue. I think what you’re talking about is your lack of Hope.” I get this from this simple definition I have adopted: Faith is being sure of what I hope for, Certain …
My eyes leak regularly and I’m OK with that now. I tear up daily and often several times a the day. My Today’s a Good Day song might move me somehow. The show on Netflix this week spurs emotion. Your story about your loss might trigger something in me. All of these experiences are somehow …
Faith informs every aspect of my life. It is central in my decision making process. It guides my thinking and how I observe the world around me. It influences my view of politics and community involvement. And certainly the most fun part about faith is how it prompts me to engage people in my life. …
My dad had a number of proverbs that he often quoted to me as an impressionable young man. Some of which were a bit racy and would incur a chiding from mom. “Jack, don’t use that language with him.” She especially didn’t like it when he explained to me, “Son, all that glitters is not …