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The Longest Shadow
It’s almost poetic that my dad would die on the day of the winter solstice, or sometimes called “the longest night of the year.” Only he and I would likely find it so. Because for years he has called me, almost without fail, to remind me that the days are either getting longer or shorter.…
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On Being Fragile and Calling 9-1-1
“Call 9-1-1” Bethany had never told me that before so I knew this was serious. “9-1-1, what’s your emergency?” “Yeah, hi… my wife is on the ground and she’s experiencing some kind of chest pain. I don’t know what to do.” After some basic questions about my location the operator asked: “How old is she?”…
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Somewhere Between an Artist and an Engineer
I’ve been thinking a lot about identity. Dad was a building engineer. I say “was” because he’s technically retired, but not because he’s stopped. To this day he continues to build. His 5 acres in the rolling hills of Kentucky are filled with barns and buildings of which he and my mom have designed and…
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Lemonade and Hanging at the River
Today was much needed. Actually, I think the last two days have been what we have needed for a while. I don’t know if it’s because we have been so busy, but just some time as a family doing fun things and being together has been good for my soul. The last few weeks have…
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Carpet Cleaning on New Year’s Eve
I just spent most of New Year’s Eve shampooing the carpet of my rental house on a cold, wet, winter day. Oh, and I slept in the hallway last night on a temporary bed pad. What do these two things have in common? Puke. The entire family is sick and have been for three days…