writing when inspired about the often overlooked
It’s the anniversary of your dad’s death ten years ago. You think about how fast he went that day. You knew he was dying. You wish you had crawled in bed with him like you have heard others do. But dying is messy, at least it was for your Dad. Maybe it was because it…
Dear Reader: My Mother’s death was not an “easy” one – not that any are, but don’t we all hope for one? I journaled little except for journal entries on “Caring Bridge” during the last three weeks of her life and I was too spent to write much after her death. Two years later, during…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * “It’s like I am winding down. And you can’t keep winding down forever without coming to the end,” he told me a few days later.” (Harold Longenecker 12/6/2012) * * * * * * * * * * *…
Sometimes thoughts land in my journal, or on my Facebook page, and stay right there. Today I give you three of them all wrapped up in one blog post, “Psalm 27, Sunsets and Trying Harder.”
“I found him in bed when I came to visit this morning.” Kathy, my dad’s case manager was on the phone, calling from his apartment during her once-a-month visit. “Usually he is downstairs waiting for me. I think he may have broken his hip when he stumbled and fell in his room this morning.” It’s…
Help calm my heart, Jesus. Dad died four years ago today. I reckon the uptightness I feel about all the things I want to get done this week, wondering if I have enough time left (to live),keep me distant from the fact it is May 16, 2017 and so I breathe in and out and…
Proverbs 20:7 (The Message) God-loyal people, living honest lives make it much easier for their children. Today is the first Father’s day without my dad. I knew this day would come and used to wonder how I’d ever survive. The grace in this loss is that I had him for a long time. He was…
Losing an elderly parent “when it’s time” . . . a strange unpredictable mix of feelings It’s hard to file these feelings into folders marked Grief Gladness Relief Sadness It’s more like the “curious blend” I referenced here on this blog a couple of weeks ago the day after my dad died. Confusing at best,…
Psalm 145:4 Generation after generationstands in awe of your work;each one tells storiesof your mighty acts. This we will do. It is up to us now to tell of God’s mighty acts. “Papa Neckie,” as he is affectionately known by his Great Granddaughters has now joined Great Grandma in heaven.They are no longer here to…
“OK, Dad. The dictionary agrees with you. ‘Moil” is a word.” You are right again.” Just a few days ago – a fun game of UpWords. This photo was taken on Tuesday night’s Upwords game before he was gone on Friday night. Psalm 61:5b Thou hast given us the heritage of those who fear the…