This week I heard the story of a man who attended the same university that I did for my undergraduate degree work. He was just a few years ahead of me, so he is in his early 50’s. His life however has taken an unexpected direction. I don’t know the details, but I was made aware this week that he has lived alone in a nursing home for quite some time. Thankfully several alums from our alma mater have made…
I am not one apt to complain. At least that is the perception I have of myself. There is a distinct possibility that such self understanding is way off base. I am capable of whining about anything and everything. I realized I have nothing to grumble about, because I spent today spent visiting friends at Parkland Hospital’s Burn Unit in Dallas. I have a friend whom I privileged to serve at the Granbury Police Department that has been with her…
Driving Miss Daisy won the Academy Award for best picture in 1990. The story line revolves around the relationship of an elderly Jewish woman from Atlanta, GA and her African American chauffer, Hoke. Jessica Tandy won the Academy Award for best actress in a leading role that year. Morgan Freeman was nominated for best actor for his portrayal of Hoke. In one particular scene, Miss Daisy is going to a formal banquet to hear after dinner speaker, Dr. Martin Luther…
He opened the cash register and handed me a dollar bill…What’s this for, I asked? Well it is obvious you can’t afford a razor, so here is a dollar to go buy one. I got the message…I was expected to show up for work clean shaven. I was an 18-year-old freshman at Texas Tech University in the fall of 1980. The man offering me the necessary funds to buy a razor was Bill Groux. Bill owned and operated one of…
There is a Valentines Day tent set up in the parking lot of one our local retailers today. They are marketing flowers, candy, stuffed animals, and a wide assortment of heart shaped objects just waiting to be purchased. Valentines Day is big business. I won’t be visiting the tent today. I have already ordered something I thought to be unique and fitting for the occasion. Valentines Day is supposed to be a day that represents love. Actually I think there…
It happened over 20 years ago, but the lesson it is still imprinted firmly on my mind…In my role as a law enforcement chaplain, I was riding out with an officer on the day shift. This particular officer had just completed a role in a lengthy undercover narcotics operation. She had now returned to the patrol section, so I was assigned to interview her. It was our desire as chaplains to do a better job serving officers working in deep…
Yesterday as I lectured at a theological institute in Torreon, MexicoI noticed a lady sitting on the front row eagerly following everything I was saying in English. (My translator was taking everything I said and sharing it in Spanish as I delivered the lecture.) Naturally it was reassuring to see that at least one person could understand my message in English. A little later in the day I learned more about her story. Johanna (not her real name) was arrested…
I will give you a piece of my mind… in a New York minute. Communicating interpersonally in a manner that lacks tact is one of my longtime failings. I am blunt to a fault. My sweet little bride tells me that I get my fists up verbally. I have attempted to take some corrective measures over the years, but I have found another flaw in the process. In the process of evading communication that is a little too direct, I…
The holidays are usually a time to catch up with old friends. This year was no exception. There are always conversations that start with: “How is _____ doing? What is going on in their life?” During the course of one of those interchanges a friend of mine described some mutual acquaintances in the following manner: They seem restless. They are probing for something. They spend a lot of time going to self-help conferences…They are searching for meaning and for some…
Recently a friend shared the idea that our personal flaws can be compared to an elephant in the room: difficult not to see and even harder to get past… I concur. Most of us have a clear awareness of the elephant standing in the room of our hearts. We know what our faults are and they are unlikely to be eradicated simply by making a few New Year’s resolutions. What is the alternative then? I have a few musings on…