Last night Donya asked if I remembered what I gave her on that first Valentine’s Day we spent together. I did, sort of. I remembered I gave her a blouse or a dress or some such. (I am sure the mountainous, volatile, protective Tommy Weir was thrilled that the big-eared kid with the silk shirts…
Tag: Relationships
A Handmaid’s Tale: Looking into the “Martha Syndrome”
Confession: This has nothing to do with the sordid tale of the popular book or mini-series by this name, as the subtitle of the article surely reveals. Instead, I use “handmaid” as it was commonly used in Bible times as that of a female servant. Moreover, I use it the way traditional writersused “man” or…
Leadership 101: Make no place for foolish pride
As you read the following, keep in mind: Effective leadership requires a certain vulnerability. They say confession is good for the soul. So, here goes: It is a sad fact of my flawed nature that, too often, the less certain I am on a matter, the more vociferous and vehement my argument. In other words,…
A Birthday New Year’s Resolution -or- 101 reasons to celebrate
What a week it’s been! I have 101 reasons to celebrate life right now. Last Friday, my baby girl got married to the love of her life and started that incredible journey called marriage. It was a beautiful wedding, well attended, and pulled off without a hitch. I had the privilege of preaching the charge…
It’s the Journey, Man! or, Welcome to Walley World, now go home
One of my favorite Hollywood comedies is National Lampoon’s Vacation. I love it because it is such an accurate caricature of life in the American familyand because most of us who have been around a minute can identify with the characters and their misfortunes. There is this epic journey to Walley World, with mishap after…
Hello, Spring and Happy Birthday, Dad
Dad didn’t pay much attention to his birthday, the way I remember it. Maybe that is because I was a kid most of his time on earth and kids figure birthdays are mostly for them and not so much the old folks. He’s been gone 25 years already. He would have been 76 today. It’s…
I, Tom Sawyer: The True Adventures of an American Youth | Part One: Billy Jack, Buford Pusser, and me
I grew up with a Bible in one hand and a copy of Mark Twain’sThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer in the other. If I had a third hand it would have held a football. A fourth would have had a baseball glove on it. A fifth and sixth would have clamped the handlebar grips of…
Everything all the time
I was spending some of Saturday’srainy morning sorting through Amazon Prime, downloading “free” music when I came across an album title that resonated with me. It is a Band of Horses album. It’s the title? “Everything all the time.” And it got me thinking. We have created a world for ourselves and our progeny where…
Passersby: remembering not to forget those you met along the way
Arriving at the office before 8AM, I am among the first in the BB&T building. The parking lot is empty, except for three or four vehicles strategically parked in the scant shady spots. The early bird gets the shade… and the windshield presents from careless birds. I’m alone on the elevator for the short ride…
The greatest love poem ever written, or How to say “I love you” so they won’t forget
Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote one of the most beautiful, transcendent, enduring love poems in all of human history: How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of being and ideal grace….