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Some Random Thoughts at 44
Every year around my birthday, I love to come up with random thoughts that strike me at this stage of my life. As I reviewed what I came up with last year, I realized how much I am still in the same mindset. (I’m not sure that is a good or bad thing.). So with a few add-ons and clarifications (all in bold)…here are a few things that strike me this year: Seeing the world upside down is seeing it right side up. Thank you, St. Peter. (From this perspective, perceived loss is a gain, perceived weakness is strength, and true greatness is found in humility. ) Sinatra’s album, Nice…
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Two Choices
Watching my two boys climb rocks a few weeks ago in Maine brought a profound sense of gratitude and reflection. Grateful to be their father. Reflective because I tried to understand how they see the world, specifically me, as their father, something I must admit I rarely ever think about. As adults, our lives, rightly so, are filled with significant responsibilities, so it is difficult to stop and see the perspective that our children have towards us. As a parent, we do what we do, day in and day out, and rarely think about the impact our presence has on our children. We are the caregivers, the ones in charge,…
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Facebook, Beauty, and Good Friday
I don’t find myself on Facebook much these days; when I am on, I love the memories that pop up on my feed here and there. You know the ones, 3 years ago today you were here…7 years ago today you posted this, etc. Last Friday, my Facebook memory was from 5 years ago in Venice, Italy. More specifically, it was a video that I had posted inside St. Mark’s Basilica during the Good Friday Celebration of the Lord’s Passion. After not sleeping last night, here are a few things that kept me up all night about the video and the significance of this day, this Good Friday 2021. What…
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Moments in Time: Dingle, Ireland
As many of us celebrated St. Patrick’s Day this week, we find ourselves on the Dingle Peninsula in the southwest part of Ireland. The town of Dingle is the largest town on the peninsula located in County Kerry. The magnificent road that winds around the peninsula is called Slea Head Drive. A little side note, the westernmost part of the peninsula not only brings a spectacularly beautiful view of the rough surf of the Atlantic. But the islands off to the west are the closest part of mainland Ireland that you can get to the United States. Nestled in the rock just off the road sits a statue of the…
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Let’s Dance
I have not done much dancing of late. I’m afraid my days of getting down doing the running man or moonwalk have passed by. That said, I couldn’t help but dance this week to a different tune. There is no secret how these times have been mentally taxing for so many of us. No role, occupation, or vocation has been spared. This week, we got some bad news regarding the health of one of our sons. Nothing serious, but heartbreaking for him nonetheless, as it will most likely prevent him from participating in his favorite sport for the foreseeable future. A participation that has been so critical for the mental…
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Moments in Time: Glen Coe, Scotland (Highlands)
The winds were overwhelming but calming. The periods of rain were drenching but refreshing. The brisk air cut through your skin but awakened the very breath of your life. Standing in its midst was somehow a confrontation with truth beyond the ability to explain with my senses. Quite simply, it was one of the most mystical experiences of my life. Glencoe is nestled in the Scottish Highlands. It is about 100 miles or so from Edinburgh. Suppose you leave from Edinburgh, as I did. In that case, you go through the lush greenery of the Scottish lowlands, passing many breathtaking lochs (lakes) and some picturesque towns. Stirling, for one, with…
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Hard To Be Human
It’s well documented that the pandemic has brought to the surface many challenges for millions of people around the globe. Not only physical illness but loneliness and isolation have sparked a wave of mental illness as well. The pandemic has affected all of us in some way. Like so many things in life, although the struggles we face are felt by many, they are unique. In other words, our experiences and struggles are our own. The pandemic for us has been about navigating being home with two school-aged boys every day for almost a year. On the one hand, I have loved it because I know this is a time…
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Moments in Time: Helena, MT
This week’s destination brings us to Helena, MT. Helena is the state capital of Montana and became known as the “Queen City of the Rockies” due to the boom of the 1864 gold strike. That said, what brings us to the beautiful city of Helena today, is baseball. Specifically, June 1996. We find ourselves at Kendrick Legion Field, at that time, home of the Milwaukee Brewers Rookie Ball Team. I was a skinny young 18-year-old, a boy, playing for the Great Falls Dodgers, the Rookie Ball Team for the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the opening night of the Pioneer League, and we had a road series against the…
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“Shining Like The Sun”
There was a moment last week that gave me great pause. Standing in the middle of an outdoor shopping area watching people walk by, I was struck with a profound feeling of wonder. Blame it on the Covid-19 shut-in orders, blame it on not being out and about regularly in almost a year, blame it on sitting every day with my 4th-grade son teaching him. Still, there I was, engaging in an ordinary, mundane activity of heading to the store before a snow storm yet being swept away with feelings of wonder and awe. Namely, to be in the presence of others. What a gift. Standing still and watching people…
