Feb
02
2022
Dad was a maverick and exceptional teacher. He grasped ways to make concepts understandable way before the science of pedagogy confirmed his teaching methods. Cookie jar, a way to help campers understand the mechanics of a proper follow-through when...
Feb
01
2022
One of the verses Dad and I memorized together was Deuteronomy 4:7-9, a beautiful set of verses reminding parents to pass on what they have seen and witnessed as transformation from God to the next generations.
Dad and I often...
Jan
31
2022
The book of James says, "Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter trials of various kinds." Some translations say to consider trials, "pure" joy. I see life in pictures therefore when I imagine pure joy—I tend to...
Jan
28
2022
Dad would say, "Imagine an elevator. Most of us have moods and emotions which take us up and down the elevator. But some people get off and live on certain floors. Some people, no matter what happens in their...
Jan
27
2022
Shann had his first dream of my Dad last week. He had been wondering when he would have one. He woke up and told me, “Your Dad came to visit me in my sleep last night.” I immediately started...
Jan
26
2022
I have never loved flowers as a gift. They have always seemed to be an extravagance. I would rather Shann buy me a vacuum or a pair of shoes, something durable and useful. Dad rarely gave flowers when I...
Jan
25
2022
Last spring, I read Dad and Mom a beautiful short story from Anthony Doer’s book, Memory Wall. The story tells of a young girl who loses her family and must move from Kansas to a former Eastern Bloc country to...
Jan
24
2022
I spoke to one of Dad's lifelong friends from California. They expressed sorrow because they did not get to say goodbye in person to Dad. My dear friend from Hawaii said the same thing. I felt very sad myself....
Jan
20
2022
One of my daily devotionals gives short segments from the writings of Henri Nouwen, a beautiful Christian author. He wrote many moving books, including Return of the Prodigal. One of my favorites is, You are the Beloved. Nouwen talks about the...
Jan
19
2022
One skill I am incredibly grateful for in my Dad is the peace he had to navigate difficult topics with wisdom and care. My Dad welcomed any topic in the home for Jay and me. As long as the...
