I am fascinated by the message depicted in the picture accompanying today’s blog. This couple is obviously intent on making sure they do not stray from the correct path and wind up at the wrong destination. In so many ways, they represent the approach to life that Linda and I adopted early in our marriage.... Continue Reading →
Restoring Hope in 2023
Linda and I always enjoyed the excitement of the Christmas holidays. Her creative spontaneity provided the impetus for a joyous break from our demanding schedules. In the early years, we alternated between visiting my parents in Florida and her parents in the North. After the children were old enough to enjoy the winter sports, we... Continue Reading →
Fulfilling His Promises
After retiring from the pastorate in 2012, Linda and I had six years to prepare for the time in which she would become a resident in the Memory Care Unit at Legacy Village in Cleveland, Tennessee. We spent a significant amount of that time developing a more intimate relationship with Christ, defining the core values... Continue Reading →
Reviewing Precious Memories
Sixty years ago today, Linda was in Kentucky and I was in Florida. Even though we were on Christmas break, our thoughts kept returning to what had just happened at a small college in Cleveland, Tennessee. After ignoring each other for a year and a half, in the two weeks before leaving campus, we had... Continue Reading →
Birthday 2022
With the exception of minor editing, changes in dates, and the accompanying picture, today’s blog is the same one that I published on Linda’s two preceding birthdays. I cannot improve the message. In four days, Linda will be 82. On our first date, I was 19 and she was 21. Over the years, our age... Continue Reading →
Surviving Grief and Loss
At this time in Western Culture, as we witness an unprecedented erosion of biblical values, it is easy for followers of Christ to feel like the man highlighted in the picture accompanying today’s blog -- alone in a desert place with no hope of finding a way forward! Facing grief and loss exponentially exacerbates these... Continue Reading →
Staying the Course
Today’s blog, with minor revisions, was first published on September 5, 2021: As a long-term primary caregiver to my wonderful wife Linda, I am often asked by those who are just beginning the journey how to prepare for victory and avoid defeat. My answer begins with a simplistic assertion: “Far more important than how many... Continue Reading →
Reassessing the Journey
As Linda and I continue our journey through the “Long Goodbye,” the picture accompanying today’s blog evokes feelings with which I am very familiar, and am experiencing at this very moment! Since becoming a primary caregiver to my wonderful wife, I never remember being absolutely certain that I knew what was coming next; however, I... Continue Reading →
Overwhelming Gratitude
In four days, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. As this special day draws near, I am so appreciative of forgiveness of my sins, establishment of a new identity in Him, and a certain hope of spending eternity in Heaven. This year, as I helplessly watch Alzheimer’s relentless quest to consume Linda’s personhood and ultimately take her... Continue Reading →
Taking the Next Step
Jesus, in describing the intimate relationship that He has with His children, makes a profound statement: “I am the Good Shepherd and know my own sheep, and they know me...” (John 10:14 TLB). For those of us who know Him as Lord, this provides wonderful assurance and comfort. At the same time, there are less obvious factors... Continue Reading →