“It’s Friday, but Sunday is Coming.”

I first heard these words spoken when I was about thirteen.  For Catholics, there is no more solemn day than Good Friday, a day marked by sacrifice, loss, and great sorrow.  The idea that renewal, hope–Easter Sunday–is around the corner does not seem possible. (more…)

I know exactly where I was when I heard that the tragic events of January 8th in Tucson had claimed the lives of six people.   As the story of what happened in that Safeway parking lot unfolded throughout the weekend, I admittedly fell into tears several times.  The images of the injured and dead, the heroism of the first-responders, and the bravery of the individuals that ran towards the mayhem, caused tears of sadness, fear, and gratitude.  Of course, I prayed for the recovery of the injured, but there was something about the lives lost that left an imprint on my heart. (more…)

Our sixteen-year-old son is learning how to drive a car.

A sixteen-year-old. And my car.

And, unfortunately, I have to teach him.  There are no do-overs or reset buttons when learning how to drive and this scares the hell out of me.  I would rather have a colonoscopy—and I’m speaking from experience here–than  be a passenger with a  teenager behind the wheel. Don’t get me wrong, I do like the kid and he is way high on the responsibility bell curve for his age, but what is that really saying? He is one of the best of the worst drivers?  Why are Carolyn and I allowing him to pursue his license?  I would rather have him be driving than sitting in a passenger seat with another teenager at the wheel. But I’ve also concluded that  teenage drivers should have their own lane on the highway with barricades on each side. Just like bowling: no gutter balls allowed. (more…)

This was our year to host my family for Thanksgiving!  After having spent the morning at the hospital with Sean during his colonoscopy, I was racing through the store, knocking a few more items off of my “to-do” list when my cell phone rang.  It was Sean.

Me: What?  (tone…not so nice)

Sean: We’ve got a problem. There’s water pouring through the family room ceiling.  The master bathroom toilet overflowed.

Me: Are you on drugs?

Sean: Yes…but that’s not the point.  I tried to soak it up with towels but there’s too much.  I turned the water off so it’s stopped. (more…)