When Life Gives You Lemonade . . . Share It....

Dec 31, 2011 by

When Life Gives You Lemonade . . . Share It.

For the past few days I have had the privilege of having my family under one roof. Given that, at other times of the year, we live across three states, being together is not at all something I take for granted . . . not like I used to when we all four occupied the same square footage. This heightened awareness of gratitude never fails to open my eyes to things that might have otherwise gone unnoticed; a loving touch shared between my son and his wife, absentminded wrestling between siblings, spontaneously erupting laughter at nothing in particular. These moments of ordinary living become precious, shiny things when we choose to let them, to see them. Looking back over all the meals shared, gifts exchanged and memories made, it’s become clear to me that...

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Kind of Like a Carpenter

Dec 23, 2011 by

Kind of Like a Carpenter

Christmas.  During this time of year, Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus . . . an incarnation of God, in human form; humble, manger born, poor, a carpenter.  Despite his humble upbringing, his message of love, hope, peace, and grace still rings beautifully around the world, beyond his time on this earth, and farther than he every physically traveled while here, walking upon it. Such a powerful message through such modest means. I believe that God still speaks, often using the same subtle tactics as employed through a child, born among barn animals, to unrefined parents.  Less bullhorn, more whisper. Walking the streets of downtown Seattle with friends this past weekend, I think I thought I heard him. “Shoe shine!”  Anyone who walks Pine St. downtown has at least heard that call....

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Sing For Your Supper

Dec 16, 2011 by

Sing For Your Supper

You only have to be in Seattle 5 minutes before you discover that Tom Douglas knows a thing or two about food, restaurants, and, in particular, coconut cream pie.  Within four square blocks, you’ll find at least five Tom Douglas restaurants and they all have at least one menu item in common. You guessed it . . . the coconut cream pie.  It’s delicious, and you needn’t be a coconut cream pie fan to think so. Today as I walked the streets of downtown, visiting the women’s shelter, post office, and grocery store, I headed toward the Dahlia Bakery to get a cup of soup for lunch.  Tom Douglas also knows how to make a mean pot of soup.  As I approached the bakery, I noticed a sign they had displayed prominently at the...

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Go To A Happy Place

Dec 13, 2011 by

Go To A Happy Place

I had an MRI today.  My neck has departed its small protest of aches and pains and has recently opted for more an “uprising” or “movement” in the discomfort it unleashes on me during the day and, sadly, most especially at night.  The result of an auto accident years ago, the spasms and headaches I occasionally endure are a reminder, I guess, of how lucky I am to still be here to experience them.  My car, it was totaled.  I, grabbing my neck with one hand and consoling the new, teenaged driver who rammed into the back of me with the other, was lucky to walk away from the smash up. There have been whole seasons with my neck’s complaining rendered largely ignorable.  There have been others, like now, that have me prostrate on...

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