A Magical Story

I picked up The Vanished Man at a hospital reading room when I desperately needed a way to escape the reality of what was happening. It would have been difficult to have chosen a more fitting tale. Deaver’s mix of forensic crime solving and the world of magic, gave me just the kind of engrossing escape from reality I was hoping for.

I’d read one other Lincoln Rhyme novel before. While I enjoyed it, it left only a mild impression on me. This one was different. Lincoln supposes the villain he is looking for is an illusionist, so he recruits a young magician to help. As a result, the tale becomes a fascinating one, a typical forensic crime mystery filled with tales of magic – including “insider” information.

January 3, 2009 | Filed Under Books, Reviews | Comments 

Happy Birthday Dad

Yesterday was dad’s birthday.Mom decided the kids should do something special in memory of him. We all got some flower seeds to sprinkle in the yard or garden. We also got some helium balloons to ‘release.’ It was very nice. We all arranged to do it at about the same time since we could not all be together. Becky drew a smiley face and wrote “Happy Birthday PopPop” on one of her balloons (and one of Billy’s). She said that would let PopPop know that we were saying “Happy Birthday.”I miss you very much, Dad.We all do!

June 3, 2005 | Filed Under Family | Comments 

As you go,

Very often I sit in church and think of how nice it would be to discuss the message with Dad. He would have loved today’s message.He and I used to have this discussion about missionaries. It was a mystery to him that so much talk in the church revolved around overseas missions when so many here at home were in as mush need here at home. Several years ago Terri and I raised support to take a couple of short-term missions trips overseas and Dad was always very supportive. He understood how valuable the experience was for us and the teenagers who went with us, but he still made a very good case for spending more time and money helping people here at home.Today pastor Richard taught from Matthew 28:18-19. His message challenged everything I understood about these verses. I grew up listening to Kieth Green singing “Jesus commands us to GO” and preachers explaining that Jesus would not return until we reached all of the unreached peoples of the world. I don’t really want to debate either of these points, but today I realized that the Scripture says “as you go,” and this gives me a whole new perspective on things.Missions opportunities are all around. I am called to be in a certain place and work in a certain place and do certain things. I go to work. I teach. I take care of my family. I go to my son’s baseball games and my daughter’s soccer games. As I do these things I should “make disciples.” The focus should be on making disciples and not on going.

April 17, 2005 | Filed Under Faith, Family | Comments 

Visit with Dad

On Saturday I had a chance to visit Dad’s grave. It was my first opportunity to see the stone. It is very nice. You did a good job, Mom!After my visit I was at my brother’s home for the rest of my nephews birthday party. As the kids were preparing for bed, we discussed the The DaVinci code. My brother read it first and forced his wife and me and Terri to read it. We talked about how much Dad would have not liked the book but how nice it would have been to discuss with him the contents of it. He would have loved that discussion. Having discussions like that without him is hard for me.I miss Dad very much. This week has been hard. My wife’s birthday is just around the corner. She and Dad were very close and she keeps remarking how much harder this is than she imagined it would be. I know my birthday in January was the toughest day yet for me.Just today I almost picked up the phone to call him again. I had a simple question about cooking. People have warned me about this but I can’t believe how my mind plays tricks on me like that!

April 11, 2005 | Filed Under Family | Comments 

Dangerous Intersetions

It’s interesting the things that remind me of Dad. On our way to my brother’s for Thanksgiving, we drove througth one of the most dangerous highway interchanges in the country; and it reminded me of Dad. I remember clipping an article from the paper about the proposed reconstruction project. I brought it to Dad’s on a visit once and we talked about how dangerous this place really was and how this plan looked like it would help, etc. Actually, I’m disappointed he didn’t get to see the project finished. Is that wierd? 

December 1, 2004 | Filed Under Family | Comments 

Remembering Dad

I shared some of my Dad’s favorite Scriptures in devotions yesterday. It was difficult to do. Someone had to pass me a box of tissues about half-way through. I had to ask someone to finish reading Psalm 34:1-8. It was worth it no matter how hard. Several people came to me to tell me how glad they were I shared. My father was an amazing man. I miss him very much. 

November 23, 2004 | Filed Under Faith, Family | Comments 

Update on Dad

I spoke to Mom today. Dad will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow for 24 hour chemo. I considered going to spend the day with him, but I will go on Thursday instead. I will spend the day and then I can take him home and get him settled.

April 26, 2004 | Filed Under Family | Comments