“When love exists, nothing else matters—not life’s predicaments, not the fury of the years, not a physical winding down or scarcity of opportunity.” — Isabel Allende This past weekend, we celebrated our wedding anniversary—23 years that feel like yesterday. We met in college in 1993, so we’ve known each other for over 30 years. It’s … Continue reading Twenty-Three Years Later, Still in Love
Tag: life
Book Review: Introverts in the Church
“Sometimes it seems that our many words are more an expression of our doubt than our faith. It is as if we are not sure that God’s Spirit can touch the hearts of people: we have to help Him out and, with many words, convince others of His power. But it is precisely this wordy … Continue reading Book Review: Introverts in the Church
The Overlooked Side of Retirement: Mattering
“Many of us plan for our future wealth and health. Few prepare for an equally essential aspect of retirement: how to continue to feel seen and valued.” – Jennifer Breheny Wallace This quote opens a great article in the Wall Street Journal titled The Retirement Crisis: No One Warns You About: Mattering. Mattering is described … Continue reading The Overlooked Side of Retirement: Mattering
The Relationship Recession and the Rise of Singlehood
There is a trend lately of offering money to women to have babies as a way to solve the declining natality rate. After decades of maltreatment against women at home and in the workplace, schemes like offering money—ideas mostly proposed by men—will not solve anything. I don’t know about you, but if I were a … Continue reading The Relationship Recession and the Rise of Singlehood
A Thanksgiving Reminder: Give, Be Present, Love Deeply
"You only have what you give. It's by spending yourself that you become rich.” - Isabel Allende This Thursday we celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, and I know that other countries celebrate a day of thanksgiving at various times throughout the year. Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a day to be thankful … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Reminder: Give, Be Present, Love Deeply
An Hour with Surviving Sue
Early this year, I read a wonderful book written by Dr. Vicki Atkinson titled Surviving Sue, and you can read what I wrote about her book here. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend an event sponsored by the Cultural and Performing Arts Department of Harper College in Chicago’s northwest area. I spent a little … Continue reading An Hour with Surviving Sue
The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 12
When I first read Dr. Stein’s post and scanned all the questions he laid out for us, I thought about how great of an exercise answering them would be. One question, in particular, caught my attention right away—one that invited deep personal reflection. That question was: What have you learned about life that you didn’t … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 12
A Life Remembered, A Lesson for Parents Everywhere
I have been debating for a few days now whether to write a reflection on a recent loss in our family. I was thinking about just writing it in my journal, but then I thought that putting my thoughts on this medium could help someone out there, and if I can help even one person, … Continue reading A Life Remembered, A Lesson for Parents Everywhere
The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 11
I can’t believe I’ve already worked my way through ten questions. Some of them took me back decades, reminding me of both the good and the bad in my life. It’s been a great exercise to reflect on where I was and where I am now, and the transformation is incredible. As I pondered this … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 11
The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 10
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy Ten years ago, I was a 42-year-old, overworked, stressed-out man and about 20 pounds over my desired weight of 165, something I felt every time I went for a run. I worked in a place where I couldn’t see … Continue reading The Questions We Don’t Ask — And Why They Matter, Part 10
Thoughts about leadership, history, and more 