Silence

“Words can sting like anything, but silence breaks the heart.” Phyllis Mc Ginley, late Pulitzer Prize winning author.

Breathes there a human without a heinous phrase from a parent stuck in their craw since childhood? Words can hurt.

But silence. It ‘s powerful. It can be living, breathing abandonment. It can be disrespect. One is suddenly not worthy of words

Silence, on the other hand, can be an effective tool for an orator. It can add power to a critical point when bound with it.

From yet another perspective, my silent time with the Lord in prayer is vital to my journey. It draws me close never left abandoned.

Too Old?

“Life gets better the older you grow, until you grow too old of course.” Keri Hume, the late New Zealand writer. How old is too old?

Osteoarthritis is prone to worsen. Cognition and reflexes tend to wear down. But is that life?

Good meals with family or dear friends can get better with age. Appreciation of a good story in what we read or watch can grow.

If we love and cherish our Lord, the relationship can grow even stronger. Our gratitude can reach new heights as the difficulties of being “too old” mount while the good Lord cushions the journey with LOVE.

Where would we be without Love?

The Pen

“Solitude, whether endured or embraced, is a necessary gateway to original thought.” Jane Hirshfield, an American poet.

I generally embrace solitude. The world seems a noisier place as I head towards my own sunset nearing the end of my eighth decade.

It is good to quiet those arthritic joints and worrisome thoughts. In doing so my world of writing opens more easily. It’s only by the hand of God in my life these things are fluid as aging is not for the faint of heart.

Thank God for my spouse, the roof above us, the ability to retire and our wonderful offspring. That is what makes these golden years in which my pen can give life substance through original thought. Thanks for listening.

Slowing Down

I am close to 78. Since about the beginning of the year, I have had problems with stiffness and pain in my four extremities.

It seems checking with two of my older friends that can be the lot of my older years. Hopefully, the physical therapy folks can help me make this all less lingering.

On the other hand, by God’s grace, it’s good to be alive. The infirmity has slowed me down and, is chipping away at my impatience. Thank God for huge favors,

My dear spouse of 45 years is making it all more tolerable. God ordained that day we met at her art school’s open house in March of 1977. In some ways, it seems like only yesterday.

3 a.m.

“We are all mad at three in the morning.” Ruth Rendell, the late English crime writer.

Yes. Everything hurts more at 3 a.m. Yes. We are more prone to worry, toss and turn at 3 a.m. Even Less rational? Perhaps.

But the hand of God is waiting to touch our brow, to ease the pain, to give us that wonderful medicine, hope. The coming day is a NEW day in His hands.

Communication?

“After all, when you come right down to it, how many people speak the same language even when they speak the same language.” Russell Hoban, the late, American, expatriate writer in England.

It is a fine art, communication. The best novels we read are the subject of numerous edits.

The other day in an excellent documentary about Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, I learned he spent seven years writing that fine work. So driven to refine his masterwork, to communicate well.

Sure hope my own writing improves my speech. It sure needs it.

Challenges

“It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” Frederick Douglas, 19th-century African American reformer, orator and writer.If you tear up a rose into numerous pieces that’s far easier than piecing it back together.

I think you build strong children by showing no favoritism to siblings and making all the children feel loved, a daily 18 year challenge. I needed God’s grace every step of the way as did my spouse, Kristine.

A Very Good Day

How unusual. Last night, Kristine and I watched a streamed program where a lead character had just lost his father.

He shed no tears and recalled only his difficulties with his father. But later, he recalled a wonderful day on which they attended the World Series together appreciating his father’s humanity a bit more.

I had a difficult father. It brought me back, tearfully, to attending an Ohio State football game at seven years of age with my dad. The color, the music, the crowd, and the game itself were thrilling to inhale. Yes he was difficult, but that good day was unforgettable.

Venturing Out

“I don’t like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn’t of much value. Life hasn’t revealed its beauty to them.” Boris Pasternak.

Virtual won’t do it. We all need ups and downs, joys and sorrows to become lifelike in Pasternak’s words. You will fall down if you venture out. It hurts but it can make us more human in God’s hands.

Art

“If art doesn’t make us better, then what on earth is it for.” Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize- winning American author. I agree. If I can’t engage you and prompt you to reflect on becoming better much of the time, why write?

Some of the time we all need a respite from the daily pressures of life. In those moments entertainment, frequently laughter or mysteries seem to help.

In essence, for me, art should be, by God’s grace healing, whatever the “dys-ease.”