Brothers & Sisters
Yesterday my best friend’s older sister died. Her older brother died a couple years ago leaving her the oldest. Being a big brother or sister is a huge responsibility. It is a place of influence. In fact parents, at least my parents, held me responsible for any punishable offense by the mere tattle of one…
Happy Father’s Day
My dad is slowly shuffling toward home. I alternate emotions often as I spend time with him. I am always proud and honored to be called his daughter but I am also sad to watch this intelligent and strong man decline as time marches on. I am not in denial over the reality that he…
It’s Father’s Day Tomorrow!
This is the 12th year we have not had Jim to celebrate! I am thinking about my kids and the amazing dad they have. He was taken from our everyday lives but His memory and impact live on. I am grateful; most of our memories of him are happy. We celebrate and miss him at…
Work Anniversary
We used to say we worked in decades. We spent 10 years in Downey, Scottsdale and Illinois. Now I have spent 10 years on staff in Fullerton. The church has changed its name and pastors more than once during that time. I have changed offices, job responsibilities, had a ridiculous number of “bosses” and said…
Walking Backward
“History doesn’t repeat itself but sometimes it rhymes.” – Mark Twain Sometimes I feel nostalgic. I look at old photos. I watch reruns & classic movies for the umpteenth time. I collect treasures and leave it out to remind me of people and places I once knew, I revisit places in my mind or in…
God is like a Mom
The Bible is clear on the idea that we understand God better through relationships and comparisons to those people we know. We know what God is like and what He is not like as we interact with the world around us. Jesus told parables of familiar things to help us understand God’s character. By example,…
Happy 7th Anniversary
They say that this anniversary is itchy! I am not sure why people seem to think this is the time couples re-evaluate their relationship when statistics show it happens much earlier in the marriage. I am not sure it is a real thing anyway but I would say that every anniversary is an opportunity to…
Happy Birthday Clay
You are 26 today! When you were born, I could not see this far into the future to imagine what you would be like as an adult. Of course I hoped and prayed for a son to grow into a godly man. Together your dad and I worked hard to instill values and habits that…
Happy Birthday Connor
With this letter I first and foremost want to wish you a happy birthday. I also want to take advantage of it to say thank you, and I love you. Thank you for loving Emily and for the happy moments wee have enjoyed together this past year. Thank you for continuing the pursuit of work and…
Panic Attack Letter (2009)
I wrote this when your dad was first diagnosed with Brain Cancer 13 years ago. I just found it and thought you would get a laugh from it! I was in a bit of a panic at the time so this is very random! Dear Clayton and Emily, I decided to write down some important…