Tag: care-giving

  • The Town with Many Moms

    The Town with Many Moms

    Growing up in a small farming town, and belonging to a little close-knit church, meant I had plenty of folks looking out for my best interests. This was especially true on my mother’s side, as I not only had my own mom, but several other ladies who filled that role. One such angelic soul was…

  • Above and Beyond

    Above and Beyond

    Every Friday night, before we sing on Saturday, I text the nursing home activities director,“Are we still good for tomorrow?” She usually answers with a thumb’s up emoji, but one week she sent the message,“Please lead the residents in patriotic music, around the flagpole out front, for Armed Forces Day.” My wife and I eagerly…

  • Do What’s Needed

    Do What’s Needed

    One evening in 1970 something, my family sat down to dinner–all but my oldest brother, who’d just gotten his driver’s license. The phone rang and my mom answered, but something was off. She hardly said anything. After listening for several seconds, she spoke, “Where is he?” My sixteen year old brother had been in a…

  • Living to the Max

    Living to the Max

    Meet Max. He’s an eight-year-old Boxer and the elder brother of the family. Jaiden (5) and Jackson (3), his human siblings, are his two best buds. Lately, Max no longer feels like climbing the stairs, or playing fetch with the boys. Gone is the high energy that’s so typical for his breed. This week a…

  • Surprise in the Sky

    Surprise in the Sky

    On a recent flight, as we prepared to land, the airline steward came over the intercom with the familiar spiel, “Please check that your seat belt is securely fastened, and your seat and tray table are in the full upright position.” But then the gentleman surprised everyone with his own twist. “As we say back…

  • Helping Others Find Their Wings

    Helping Others Find Their Wings

    One mid-week, the airport terminal was almost empty. Yet there he stood: an older gentleman staring at the TSA check point like a deer in the headlights. Hoping to encourage, without embarrassing him, I said to my wife, “This way, sweetheart?”as I started through the roped off maze. The man followed. So far so good.…