I make lots of plans and then get annoyed when they don’t work out. This week, several trivial plan changes showed me that I need to change my response when my plans fall apart. Even though these were very small disappointments/changes, they can be good training for becoming habitually flexible. I’m slowly learning to be…
The Miracle of Good from Evil
Dear husband’s parents are 96 and 97 years old. They aren’t finding much pleasure in living right now. At times, they complain, which wearies them and us. Many times, though, they find humor in memories, and they show interest in others, which makes them enjoyable to be around. This has sparked conversations between dear Husband…
Primitive Headhunter or College President?
Two men. Two very different fathers. A man we knew in Indonesia was the son of a headhunter who slept on a skull for a pillow. On the other end of the spectrum, my father was the son of a college president. The two sons, our friend and my father, had opposite life outcomes. Can…
Out of the Rubble
Did you ever look at someone and think, “Yikes! That person is a mess. Not much hope for them.” Maybe after reading this story, you’ll have a different reaction to messy people. She was a young person who had managed to make a way for herself. It wasn’t the life she had envisioned as a…
Beauty
She was a potential client who had driven out to our small, country home from her large, suburban home. She was a woman about my age. (I tried to tell myself that she was younger, and that was the reason she looked so much better than me!). I was so impressed with her appearance. Her…
Numbered
A close friend was on the job site a few days ago when a mechanical failure took the life of a worker. Our friend’s life, as well as those of other co-workers, were spared from what could have been a multi-fatal accident. Everyone was just doing their job. The day had started like so many…