Friday, October 30, 2015

Why am I still scared of that dead man Papa?




It was an honest question, not entirely from out of the blue. Yet, it got me to thinking, maybe I'm scared, too.

"Why am I still scared of that dead man Papa?”

Thursday, October 22, 2015

In the spring when I was young


In the spring when I was young


On the bluff overlooking the water crystal clean and pure

When green leafs were just but buds

The view below of the lake crystal blue was clear

The sunrise shone through the buds bright and warm


Monday, October 19, 2015

How to change a flat tire..and a life


Want to know how to change a flat tire...and a life?

We could see blinking red lights way off in the distance. As we drew near, it was too dark too see much more than the flashers and someone standing behind the car.

“A woman—” said Roxy—“She’s wearing a skirt and it looks like she’s holding a cell phone.”

We turned off the highway, just before we reached her. The road we took veered off to the left at an angle. I kept watching to see if someone would stop.

No one did.

I couldn’t, because, well, it doesn’t really matter why. I just couldn’t.

Okay fine…

Friday, October 16, 2015

How to find your Sweet Spot



Have you ever felt God? Heard Him? Sure you have, I’ll tell you when.

The world falls silent…

You swish a three pointer, nail a hole in one, land a ten pounder, roll a strike—three times in a row, shoot a bullseye, knock one clean outta the park…

In sports, that’s being in the zone. Or, finding your sweet spot.  

Have you ever been there?

Think. It’s important.

Your sweet spot may be a clue to your calling, your purpose, the reason for your being.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

It’s messy—and that’s okay


It’s messy…and that’s okay...


He was almost, no scratch that, he was downright giddy.

I was tired, irritated and in a hurry.

He was ten again on the way to Disney.

“You have no idea how good it feels just to get out of that place.” With each word he lifted his hands higher and higher. “I can’t explain it, I just feel soooo great.”

“Yeah, it’s nice to get out—but that’s a nice place you live in, Dad. They take good care of you, they’ve got lots of fun things to do, it’s safe—”

He shook his head and lowered his chin to his chest. “See, that right there. You coming against me like that, it makes me…it just takes all the wind out of me.”

He looked out the passenger window and folded his arms across his chest.

Friday, October 9, 2015

The Volunteers


An hour and a half north. I could do it with my eyes closed and my truck knows the way by heart.
I stopped beside the yellow curb and hustled to the passenger door.
My wife, Roxy, got out of the back seat and headed toward the entry, but before she got too far one of the volunteers asked if we needed a chair.
I nodded, thanks, and helped Dad ease his feet to the ground.
The wheelchair arrived and once Dad was settled in, I jumped behind the wheel to make room for the next vet waiting to unload.

Thursday, October 8, 2015

I'm that dad, again


I watched him hustle around his van as I eased out of the parking stall.

He glanced my way and yanked the latch on the minivan, the rear door drifted up.

I noticed a weary, hurried look in his eye.

He reached inside and like pulling a rabbit from a hat, he flipped open a full sized stroller.

I put the truck in drive and as I pulled away, I glanced one more time in the rear view mirror and witnessed that dad’s weary eyes transform into a smile.