Unless you were born after 2010, you’ve lived through the technology revolution that began with the personal computer in the last two decades of the 20th century, but really conquered the world with the “smartphone.” In less than a decade, these portable hand-held devices went from being communication tools (used…
That’d make an interesting “man-on-the-street” question, wouldn’t it? And you could follow it up with, “How about yours? Was he a ‘good dad’—by your definition?” I’m guessing some might answer the first question with a reactive set of criteria. That is, their answer to the second question would be “no,”…
Late February, several years ago now, my bride and I went for a bike ride on an unusually warm day—well into the upper 50s. Well, that’s warm for February in northwest Illinois. The weather had been like that for several days, so all the snow and ice were gone, and…
For a good chunk of one’s life, the years come and go, marked by birthday celebrations along the way. Some are considered significant milestones—18, 21, 30, 50, and so on. I just had one of those milestones last week, joining the ranks of the Medicare Mob on May 27. The…
A little over nine years ago, I added a new hat to wear. In addition to husband, father, pastor (with all of its accompanying hats!), I became a “papa.” A quite different hat from that of “father,” to be sure! But it did get me to reflect on my own…
I grew up in a home that celebrated Thanksgiving in the most traditional way. An early afternoon feast of turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and dinner rolls—often Pillsbury crescents slathered in butter. Of course, pumpkin pie with whipped cream. After such…
“Here we are as in olden days…” Are we? In many ways, we are. Christmas rolls around again as it has for centuries. Hasn’t always been so universally celebrated; nevertheless, no one alive in the western hemisphere remembers when it wasn’t celebrated. The other night, we went for a Christmas…
I grew up thinking I was one of those “Heinz 57” people with a genetic makeup that spans the globe. Well, not the globe, but the European continent, anyway. When asked my nationality, my family name, I’d have to answer, “Well….it’s complicated.” Until a few years ago, I had no…
