Confessions of a Workaholic
My wife clocked out of her state job for the last time recently. She is now officially retired. It’s good timing, as she’s needed to help her mother care for her father, who is in hospice care. Recently, my wife asked me to work less in 2024. I sat down...
The Power of an Emoji
Recently, I wrote a heartfelt message to a troubled friend and sent it via Messenger. Within a few minutes, an angry-face emoji popped up beside my message. Instantly, I felt a sensation in the pit of my stomach that I recognized as anxiety. I immediately thought,...
When Marriage is Like Two Ships That Pass in the Night
The 1979 Barry Manilow song “Ships” peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. Manilow’s beautiful melancholy tone in this song reflects the love of a father and son, best characterized by their geographical distance and emotional pain. They try...
What Dying Patients Are Teaching Me About the End of Life
1. We Lay Down Trophies and Accolades After visiting a well-known aging pastor and his wife, I thought about the couple’s influence among their peers, church, community, and denomination. Most of this had vanished because of their declining health and years...