Nine holes of golf between two silly girlfriends who call each other "dude" and giggle would have been enough fun.  But, adding an adorable 4-year-old granddaughter to our day, and letting her enjoy the ride from the middle of the golf cart seat, safely tucked in between Mary and I, was more fun than the game itself. With each bump,we were careful to hold Mikaela as she came up off the seat and laughed out loud.  And she really thought she was the cat's meow when her Grandma let her sit on her lap and steer the cart.  I wasn't sure what I enjoyed more - spending the afternoon with my friend Mary, or enjoying the sweetness of a child's innocence. As we drove over the bridge to hole #9, there on the other side appeared a small pond we would have to hit our golf balls over.  Mary and ... View Post

This morning, a fully functioning, very independent 90-year-old woman died, on Thanksgiving Day, of all days.  Those who loved her smiled and said, "She lived a good long life."   I asked them to tell me something about her.  They smiled once more and said, "She was never bitter about anything in life.  Never!" And that would have been all I would ever know about her - She was never bitter.  Never. Webster's Dictionary defines Bitter as:   Angry and unhappy because of unfair treatment, exhibiting intense animosity, reproachful, hard, resentful, sore, harsh, cruel. But thankfully.......... Webster's Dictionary also gives ANTONYMS for the word "bitter:"  Caring, forgiving, gentle, kind, kind-hearted, loving, sweet, sympathetic, tender, warm. Thanks to Webster's Dictionary including ... View Post

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”   (Philippians 4:19 NIV)  Leaving the funeral of my closest friend’s mother, I could only think of how precious and short this life is, and how much I love my sons, Rory and Ian.  In my pocket was a 30% off coupon for the Christian book store, a $25 gift card, and today was the day to pick up our pre-purchased copy of the movie “Courageous,” -  a new movie about stepping up to be the kind of father scripture defines.  So, why not bless Rory and Ian with a small gift today “just because,” I thought.  The Tim Tebow book I knew Ian had been eyeing was on sale.  I could get him that.  And I wanted to get something encouraging for Rory.  He has had a lot of stress lately, the kind that comes with being ... View Post

It's Memorial Day Weekend.   The television, radio, stores, & social media are flooded with reminders.   The BBQ's are all but fired up, and it won't be long and the celebratory photos will make their way onto facebook.   MY "exciting" plans involve weeding the backyard and planting a few flowers around the patio, and then perhaps to sit back in my chair and enjoy the beauty of the rosebush Dad & I planted about 14 years ago.  Dad loved rosebushes. But I can't start enjoying the Memorial Day weekend without thinking of three of my favorite veterans, and closest of friends.  I'd love to tell you about them!  Why?  Because they have been significant people in my life, who the very thought of makes me laugh out loud.   And, well, because I think they are pretty cool, and I think you ... View Post

I went to bed wondering if I should get up and watch the documentary on Kermit Gosnell, the "doctor" in Pennsylvania who was convicted of killing three babies who were born alive during abortion procedures. Yes, I said it.  He KILLED them.  Finally, unable to sleep, I got up and decided to watch it.  Now?  I'm going to cry myself to sleep. The tragedy of my own daughter dying because of a very severe and rare birth defect, and our choice to subsequently donate her body to the Neonatology Museum at Loma Linda Medical University Center, will never be an "old" story to me.  She is my daughter. And on my "bucket list" of things I want to do, is a trip back out to California where she is, because you see, it's been 8 years since I saw her.  I'm saving so that I can make a quick trip out ... View Post

On most days, I am a fairly cheerful person.  My glass is, the majority of times, at least half full. But I AM human, and I DO feel emotion.  I get angry.  I feel sad.  I get disgusted and impatient and annoyed.  Just like everyone else. In only the past few days, I have exchanged texts with a group of people praying for a young 17-year-old man getting a 2nd liver transplant in an attempt to save his life.  In between those texts, I ran up and down the stairs at work, to check on a friend, who was bedside as her mother was passing away.  I have gotten mugged and had money stolen from my bank account.  I have received news that another friend's mother has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, and learned that someone else I love will have surgery tomorrow to diagnose and stage their ... View Post

As I sit here tonight listening to the rain fall, I can't help but think back to 23 years ago this evening.  My heart was breaking, I felt more alone than I have ever felt in my life.  Silently as we made the 150-mile road trip through the California desert en route to Loma Linda Hospital to give birth to my daughter, knowing that she would die, I cried out to God like I had never cried out to Him before, or have ever since. Why?  Why MY daughter?  WHY ME?  Why is this happening to me?  Why are you taking her away from me?  Why God???!!!!! There's not much choice of music on the car radio when you're driving in the middle of nowhere. That's when I heard this song for the first time, and I knew, even though the author of it was not singing about MY situation, God was singing to ME ... View Post