I grew up in the fifties with practical parents - a mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it. A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived...

Dear Dad, It’s a sunny day here at the cottage. I’ve been sitting on the beach watching my kids play and thinking about the fact that Father’s Day is coming up this weekend. I decided to write and tell you what it meant for me to grow up with you as my father. The highlights of my childhood were all those times that you carved out of...

The Vietnam War wounded our nation, but in an odd way, the unpopular war healed my relationship with my father. I was 17 years old in 1967 and straining against my parental reins.  It seemed like everything I did bothered my dad.  His “get off the phone” or “turn down that music” echoed throughout our suburban Chicago home.  Our disagreements...

When I was a boy I didn’t know I loved my grandmother. Being around her was more fun than being around most people and I thought of her as the center of all good things. Grandmother was the best She could make taffy that just disappeared in your mouth and sent bright sparks of vanilla playing on your tongue. She could find any herb you might...

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Mom’s 83rd birthday! I almost forgot. This could very well be her last birthday, so we better celebrate - to show honor to a wonderful mother and grandmother, a faithful servant of God. Quickly I phoned my sister-in-law and suggested we invite all...

“What a gorgeous outfit!”  Angie, my co-worker said. “It’s my grandmother’s,” I answered and then watched the look of shock on her face. I loved that response.  In my early adult years, my grandmother, Susan, had become one of my best friends. My evening visits would sometimes result in my staying overnight and she would lend...