Celebrating the Gift of You
Today, one of my friends is celebrating a birthday. This young man (young enough to be my son, and yes that makes me feel old) lives with cerebral palsy and … Continue Reading Celebrating the Gift of You
What Does It Mean to Be Independent?
My mother tells me that I was conceived on the Fourth of July. She says that she remembers well the hot summer night on their back porch in the city, … Continue Reading What Does It Mean to Be Independent?
Like Christmas Morning
You know the scene: a kid in pajamas runs down the stairs on Christmas morning, sees a brand-new bike or a pile of new presents under the tree, and exclaims, … Continue Reading Like Christmas Morning
What Would You Do? The Prisoner
Last week, as my father and I were passing through the bright and lofty lobby of a medical center on our way to my routine pulmonology appointment – he, walking … Continue Reading What Would You Do? The Prisoner
Advent Waiting… Christmas Is Coming
I love the Advent Season. When I was a kid, that meant that I loved Advent calendars. Opening little doors every day to find hidden words, pictures, or best of … Continue Reading Advent Waiting… Christmas Is Coming
Joy of Heaven
When I was going through my cancer scare, a friend of mine asked me to pray for her friend who had just been told that his leukemia was terminal. And … Continue Reading Joy of Heaven
Beauty Hunger
I have always been drawn to beauty, as bees are called to nectar and deserts thirst for rain. When I was an atheist, I found delight in the beauty of … Continue Reading Beauty Hunger
Wisemen Still Seek Him
Everybody wants something. Whether desiring wealth, pleasure, power, health, approval, comfort, freedom, or happy love, very few of us would rest content saying that there is nothing that we want. … Continue Reading Wisemen Still Seek Him
Joyful
A few words about joy. Well, okay, more than a few… I used to think that Catholicism was very dour, celebrating solemnities (solemn celebrations?) bemoaning sin and life in this … Continue Reading Joyful
Gratitude
If you are not a grateful person, then you will never be great. If you do not appreciate the people in your life, then you cannot receive their amazing value … Continue Reading Gratitude
A Prayer before Eating
This is the famous 1918 photograph by Eric Enstrom called “Grace”. It has hung in the dining room of my parents’ house since before I was born. Interestingly, although … Continue Reading A Prayer before Eating
Favorite Things: Quotes from Saint Therese
It’s a human inclination to want to be famous, wealthy, or influential in some grand way. I want to be a successful author, with big dreams of making bestseller lists and overcoming my … Continue Reading Favorite Things: Quotes from Saint Therese
Inside Out
I would like to have grown from the inside out. To know myself, with my eyes closed, before I explore the external world of color, shape, and sound. To learn, … Continue Reading Inside Out
Where Is God in the Midst of My Misery?
There are times when I suffer real physical pain. Given the already extremely weak and crumpled state of my body every day and, then, adding another physical ailment (which I … Continue Reading Where Is God in the Midst of My Misery?
Joy: Why Are You so Happy?
People often tell me that I am a happy person, saying it with surprise and wonder as they look at my crumpled up body in a wheelchair. I’m no longer … Continue Reading Joy: Why Are You so Happy?
The God of Silence
What does God’s love feel like? Is it warm and fuzzy? In opening our hearts to let God love us, do we experience pleasant sensations, like an encouraging embrace? I … Continue Reading The God of Silence
