Rendezvous

“I have a rendezvous with life.” Counter Cullen, 20th century, American poet. I like the synonym engagement for that long term of French origin with that silent “z.”

Life is such a grand gift. Sometimes, there are moments we will never, ever forget.

The moment of engagement to Kristine so raised my spirits, uplifting my life. It led to our rendezvous with our two wonderful children, their captivating spouses, and our grandsons.

As an athlete, I just edged into the middle of the pack. So, two, and only two, events stand out. The only triple I ever knocked, which, incidentally, broke up a little league no-hitter, was an unforgettable engagement between bat and ball. The same was true of my only running, one-handed backhand down the line ever. It was in a singles match in 1974. How did the shot ever happen?

Ah, those unique moments rising well above the mundane. They are gifts from God for each of us in this short, beautiful life.

Methodically

“Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other. “WALTER ELLIOT, 20th century, Scottish politician. Well said Walter.

Reminds me of what it took to get through my higher education. I would go through my class notes enough times to digest them and then bring them to mind when tested. I wanted to eliminate nerves from the equation so I took many short “races” through the notes.

I also used a magic slate. It was a device on which the first few times through the notes I could essentially rewrite them without wasting paper. It enhanced the chances they woul be remembered, the pen to brain connection I understood existed.

It was all perseverance with a capital “P.” But, it served me well.

I brought it back to life of late to pass the over 70 years of age, written, drivers license renewal test in California. The state was reminded that I haven’t lost all my marbles yet.

The Unexpected

A key choice at a fork in the road…

Pilgrim on a Long, Long Journey

“Sometimes the slightest things change the directions of our lives, the merest breath of a circumstance, a random moment that connects like a meteorite striking the earth. Lives have swiveled and changed direction on the strength of a chance remark.” Bryce Courtenay, the late South African novelist.

I placed my name on the “I am available” list of the College of American Pathologists in my last year of residency. One day, I received an invitation to be interviewed from Russell S. Fisher, MD, the Chief Medical Examiner of Maryland in Baltimore.

In 1974 I didn’t know what a medical examiner did. For all I knew they gave tests for medical licensure. I learned with a little research that they practiced forensic pathology.

I spoke to one of my mentors, a friend for life, who, though he wasn’t much older than me, was my chairman of clinical pathology. He said Dr…

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Home

Oh, the joy of living in the same house for 29 years. When I was a kid we just kept moving. I had enough of that. In fact, Kris and I moved four times before living here.

I like this place. It’s home. My now adult children grew up here.

The Pandemic upped my homebody status. Home is where my microgym is. The health crisis was the impetus for a room where I can stretch, resist, thai chi and elliptically power walk on my Cubii peddling device.

That sentence was a mouthful as is the quantity of prescription pills I down, daily, in my late 70s. But at least I am downing. Isn’t that the pitcher who gave up home run 715 to Aaron?

Jerusalem

It’s the most bountiful city on earth that I have experienced. My spouse, Kristine, and I will never forget the spring of 2019 when we visited.

I so felt the Lord’s presence in that HOLY place. The steep inclines, the Wailing Wall, the other ancient walls, the spices arranged as they were in ancient markets in colorful array, it all filled our senses.

If you have never been, you likely have no idea how unique your experience can be in this place. It left a beautiful, indelible imprint on my soul.

we Lost Tim

The wonderful, eloquent, personable pastor to the world, Tim Keller, died yesterday morning. He spoke to our hearts. What a loss.

Thank God on YouTube we have an abundance of his extraordinary sermons, and also ready access online to his many clear, hopeful, instructive books. God rest his precious soul.

As Time Goes By

None of us know how quickly it will all pass when we are young. That morning train becomes evening before the nanoblink of an eye..

Last night, I had dinner with a group of men at our church I have met with early each Friday morning for nine years. It was one of the activities I joined when I first retired. The time together includes prayer, sharing and Bible discussion.

The original founder of the group, who I had known, moved out of town years ago and met us all for dinner last night. He was now bearded, wore glasses for the first time and his thinning hair had turned completely white.

At first I did not even recognize him but then I heard his ingratiating laughter. Some things just don’t change with time as was also true of the generosity of the man who hosted the dinner, another dear old friend.

As our morning train becomes evening, us old codgers need those friendships that are in Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen’s words “Chicken Soup for the Soul.”

The Journey

“There is nothing more important to our survival, nothing more dignified than learning how to take care of others, how to serve and teach people with kindness and openness.” Samantha Hunt, an American novelist.

I think I stopped short of helicoptering our two kids. But, I just cannot forget the time I yelled at one of my son’s youth tennis opponents when I thought he miscalled a shot as out on a key point. The scream was the diametric opposite of dignity embarrassing my young son. 

Then, there is the ultimate challenge with our loved ones, speaking the truth in love. For me, doing so requires lots of prayer and lots of sensitivity.

Whatever sensitivity I have was learned the hard way. Thank God I have been open to a few lessons when I have erred. Here’s hoping your journey is going well.

Tender Mercies

“Writing, getting something down on the page, is a gratification that, like a child faced with a candy bar and an empty stomach, I have trouble postponing.” Rosellen Brown, author of Tender Mercies.

I find in my anectdotage, commiting words to that screen helps me ease into the new day. The process gets my mind cranked up having been preceded by some word games.

Writing is one of the tender mercies of my morning followed by, another, a homemade latte ending my nightly fast. Thank you for the little things that sweeten my morning, Lord.

One Needs to Sculpt

“Writing is an exercise in sculpture, chipping away at the rock until you find the nose.” Stanley Elkin the late American novelist. It’s so true.

That first draft gets starts the engine. It generates words on a screen or sheet.

But then one needs to sculpt. The editing for me is the most enjoyable part of the process. It’s taking that raw material on paper and bringing engagement, beauty, rhythm, and occasionally humor to the piece. The editing brings a smile to my face and peace in my heart.