Compassion and Peace in a Confusing World
I read a newspaper article this week that reminded me of Mexico’s Sunday (November 1) commemoration of The Day of the Dead, the traditional visits to graveyards. Last year they had to forgo the Day because of the pandemic. The Day of the Dead provides symbolic means to outwardly honor the lives of their deceased loved… Continue reading Dia De Los Muertos
Last week President Biden spoke before the United Nations. His speech addressed, among other issues, the urgency related to the pandemic and the climate. This quote was featured in the Wall Street Journal: “Our shared grief is a poignant reminder that our collective future will hinge on our ability to recognize our common humanity and to… Continue reading Common Humanity
“Pay attention to the things that bring a tear to your eye or a lump in your throat because they are signs that the holy is drawing near.” Frederick Buechner A fellow church member and friend of mine approached me with a question a few years ago that I still think about. He was in… Continue reading Healing Tears
The past few weeks have been troubling as we reflect about the heavy-duty challenges before us as a country, as a world, and as individuals. These include: The Coronavirus Resurgence: In the U.S. deaths are rapidly growing toward 1,000 per day. I watch the chart turn up each day and has not been at this… Continue reading World Losses
Being a grandparent is fun, but I am finding it also carries a huge responsibility. I am so fortunate to be able to “care, teach, listen, and lead” these little people. I average about six to ten hours per week in the company of five-year-old twins (a girl and boy) and their three-year-old brother. What… Continue reading Who is Teaching Who?
Sometime during the next year or maybe the next decade, someone may well ask you, “How did you live through the coronavirus pandemic and the post-pandemic?” The question may be from a neighbor down the street, or a grandchild asking for a writing project at school. How will you answer the question? The events of… Continue reading What Will We Say?
Our family had a wonderful Memorial Day celebration this week. My day started with preparing two large slabs of pork ribs, cutting-up strawberries for dessert, running to the store for extra ice, washing last night’s dishes, and cleaning the back yard and deck. I’m tired just typing about it. I did a lot of thinking about… Continue reading Remembering
The past year was unforgettable. Last March, I was wrapping up my job as Parish Visitor at my church and trying to say goodbye to many of the church’s seniors in my last week. I hoped to visit seven seniors. Two were in lockdown. I visited with four of the remaining five. Two of these four… Continue reading Things We Can’t Forget
I have written a good bit these past few months about the on-going pandemic and the possibility of its long-lasting impact on the millions of people. The obvious and direct impact has been the well over half-million deaths resulting from the COVID-19 virus. The Washington Post has published a beautiful tribute of stories about victims of this disease… Continue reading What Can We Do?
I was excited a year ago at this time of Lent. I was serving as the Parish Visitor and Commissioned Pastor at my Presbyterian church and I was asked to share in the leadership of our Ash Wednesday worship service, a Christian tradition which begins the Lenten season, 40 days before Easter. Congregational members during… Continue reading For Such a Time as This
At Peace 