Letters, stories, and other stuff
108 stories
Dec 27, 2008
It's been seven years since we've been home for Christmas. And even though we caught some February snow two furloughs ago, Zach never remembered it. So we all had a blast this past week when eight inches piled up outside our window. We…
Continue readingOct 21, 2008
I squandered my weekend. I had intended to tackle that overdue prayer letter among other things. This Saturday was supposed to get me further ahead, but my best-laid plans went up against Zach's puppy-dog eyes. Then Renee started singing a…
Continue readingSep 30, 2008
I have on several occasions tried (started and stopped more than once) to figure out what sort of things to write here. Here in this blog which looks altogether the same. In this world which looks altogether different to me since a month…
Continue readingAug 30, 2008
On Friday we gathered for a memorial service for dad. It was simply amazing. A slice of heaven. I have spent the past two days hearing people tell me what kind of man he was. How he helped their marriage or their wayward son, or even how…
Continue readingAug 28, 2008
Dad passed away on Monday; not unexpectedly, but sooner than we thought. I was sleeping at the time, while Renee kept watch over him. She phoned me to tell the sad news. And her voice revealed a tenderness and awe in the moment; Dad just…
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Aug 12, 2008
I remember a night years ago when I woke up to the sound of a little whimper outside our bedroom door. I recognized it instantly. Amelia was sick. She had probably picked up another amoeba or something – an easy thing to do out there in…
Continue readingJun 30, 2008
On Friday morning I drove into New York to spend the day with my father. It was a surprise for him. One that he seemed to cherish. For me, it was a mercy from God. ~~~ I crossed First Avenue with a downtrodden face. An eight-dollar…
Continue readingJun 16, 2008
Renee is one in a million. The kind of girl who never really wants anything for her birthday, except a surprise. And it doesn't matter much what secret gift is bestowed, only that it is planned in advance. Because all she really wants is…
Continue readingJun 12, 2008
We’re officially New Yorkers now, and I’m not sure how I feel about that. We were in the state a mere ten minutes when I got a speeding ticket. I was rocketing along at a reckless 32 MPH as the officer explained it to me. I think the…
Continue readingMay 25, 2008
I cannot remember the last time we were stateside for Memorial Day. I never forget the day, even as it passes completely unnoticed in Kenya. I married my pretty wife over this weekend thirteen years ago. She told me I should never forget…
Continue readingMay 2, 2008
Mom and I sat together in the waiting room, leaning toward each-other in whispers, both of us a little sad. We did a lot of waiting on Thursday at Sloan Kettering. Dad had a full day at the cancer center in New York - his home away from…
Continue readingApr 28, 2008
Dear friends, Hoping this letter finds you well. We are, somewhat unexpectedly, in the United States right now. In case you didn't already know that, this letter should fill you in on some of the "why and where, and what next?" Our family…
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