Category: Life
“I know this life is a strange thing Can’t answer all the “whys” Tragedy always finds me Taken again by surprise”– -From “Love Will Find a Way” by Amy Grant It finds us. Young, old, wealthy, poor, educated, humble, proud. The waters of tragedy, suffering, and hardship leak into the homes of our lives, sometimes […]
Abraham Lincoln is credited with the saying, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Seems simple enough—just do it — take responsibility, and don’t delay! Wait, what does that even mean? What does it mean to take responsibility—make my bed, brush my teeth, recycle, walk the dog, show up on time, […]
I know it’s a waste, but it’s only $2.00 and fun to pretend–so no big deal. But then, as I pass the Mega Millions billboard, my mind wanders to… ’what if I actually win?’ I’ve seen the numbers: the prize– $1,550,000,000; cash payout– $757,000,000; net after taxes–$575,472,000 (plus or minus a few million—pocket change at […]
I had the good fortune of celebrating my 50-somethingth birthday this month. The best part of that day was having the opportunity to speak meaningfully with each of my three sons, now living in lands too far away. On one of those calls, my son mentioned that he had written me a note and offered […]
Take cheer my friend, everything happens for a reason! Wait—What? Really? Every car accident, job loss, bankruptcy, divorce, broken friendship, injury, cancer diagnosis, loss of a loved one—this and everything else—they happen for a reason? In my work as a physician, I have heard this counsel offered so many times, and always with a sincere […]
I’m a Karmann Ghia. Like the car sold by Volkswagen until the early 1970’s which had a German chassis and mechanicals, but with Italian styling, I’m a product of a father of German heritage and an Italian mother. While we certainly enjoyed woofing our wurst, the flavor of my family was clearly more solidly soppressata. […]
David…I see you. These are some of the kindest words ever spoken to me. Several years ago I was asking a longtime family friend who is an executive coach if he would be willing to meet with my sons as they were facing transitions into adulthood. As we talked further about his work in guiding […]
Light gently filled my eyes as my heavy lids were wooed open by the sound of rustling in the tent next to mine. Then more rustling and the sound of zipper doors opening in sequence announcing that it was a new day as my brothers crawled from their tents. I sat up, immediately feeling the […]
We were midway through the scoreless first period of the wrestling match and I could feel my body beginning to loosen, to gain speed and move more fluidly. It seemed my matches always started the same— an anxious stiffness, almost clumsiness—too aware of my every awkward movement. I had earned the opportunity to wrestle-off for […]
The Anticipated Games There’s no shortage of impact from the global pandemic our world has endured. Due to COVID-19, the “2020” Summer Olympics are part of the history that is 2021. As such, we got a chance to experience the Winter Olympics just a few months later. I love the Olympics. Although I’m someone […]
The Unanswered Message I missed the initial call. But when my phone rang a second time immediately after at 6:50 AM on a Saturday morning, I knew something was up, and it likely wasn’t something good. I felt this deep in my soul especially when the caller ID told me it was a patient with […]
The smell of earth filled every gasping breath as I slid face-first across the ground; muddy ooze flowing over the face mask of my bulky football helmet. Where did he even come from? At 12 years old I was 75 lbs and only chest high to the majority of kids my age. And though I […]
