69 Years – Today is Corny Joke Day!
Before November 8th, 1955, before the twinkle in Lionel’s eye 9 months prior to that, before any life on planet earth began, Jim was loved and his life was orchestrated by a good God. And this loving God knew all about who Jim would become and who he would influence. He planned for us to…
Stepping into the Gain
“For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Phil. 1:21 It has been 14 years since my Jim stepped into the Gain. It has been only 5100+ days but it feels like an eternity. It is interesting that it is eternity for Jim! God placed eternity in each of our hearts…
The Last Goodbye
When Jim was on hospice several family and friends made their way to our home to spend a last time with him. The “blessing” of cancer (which is tough to call it that), or any lingering illness rather than something more immediate and sudden, is that there is a small window to put one’s affairs…
Advances in Treatment
Not often, but once in awhile after seeing an ad on TV or hearing of another person with the dreaded disease, I wonder what would have happened if Jim had gotten GBM4 today versus 14 years ago. The majority of brain cancers are highly invasive and rarely spreads to other parts of the body beyond…
Imagining a Life
I love the Pixar movie Coco and the focus on remembering. Telling stories, sharing memories and passing on traditions is what creates the power of family. It connects us to each other and keeps the bond with those who have died alive. I recently heard a statistic that says we usually remember only and up…
There is a time for everything!
Today on my calendar is the birthday of my friend Lorraine who I have not seen in a “long” time. I imagine that if we got together, we would pick back up in the middle of a conversation like no time had passed and we would not stop talking until we fell asleep mid-sentence. I…
Sweet Home Alabama
Today I am in Alabama. The weather is lovely, but cooler than normal due to Hurricane Helene. My cousin Brian and I are turning 65 so we celebrated with pedicures and steak dinner. I wish everyone could see the Alabama I see. It is much nicer than the reputation Alabama carries. When I said I…
What’s so magical about 65?
What is old age? When does it start? 90 years ago FDR decided it was to be 65. The thing is that I think old age is just ahead of whatever age you are. I also think that it is somewhat an attitude or an outlook. I know some people in their 90’s and they…
A new Perspective on Old Age
In last week’s news it was discovered that people do not age gradually. There is a big jump at 44 and another at age 60. So I guess that in anticipation of this “big” event on Thursday, the next number is over rated and I have been on the downhill slide for 5 years! Who…
Never in my Wildest Dreams #36
Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined my life. I could not have predicted most of it! Of course I had dreams and imagined all kids of scenarios – who didn’t!? Of course there are parts that are better than I imagined and things that are worse. Of course there are regrets and…