Dearest Rachel – It probably doesn’t come as any surprise to you, but I often find myself wondering how different things would be if you were still here. Not just the big, obvious things; even the incremental pieces of a single day’s timeline might be altered in ways I can barely imagine. Still, I’m aboutContinue reading “My Timeline and Its Alternatives”
Monthly Archives: June 2023
Yes, I Have To Do It Now
Dearest Rachel – Shortly after your accident, Pastor Scott reached out to me, and offered to meet me on a regular basis, to keep in touch and “make sure I didn’t do anything rash.” It was a very informal approach to grief counseling, even before I enrolled in the support group (in fact, he evenContinue reading “Yes, I Have To Do It Now”
All Happening at Once
Dearest Rachel – For all that I paean my semi-retired state as being one where I’m completely free to do anything I want to at any time, that’s never really been entirely true. There are always constraints to one’s supposed freedom, be they physical, moral, logistical, financial or otherwise self-imposed. It might be taking thingsContinue reading “All Happening at Once”
Other People’s Accidents
Dearest Rachel – I woke up with a slight headache this morning, and I regret to inform you that it’s only increased in strength over time. Some of it may have to do with the fact that I can’t remember much of last night’s dreams, apart from a.) it (or was it they?) was (were?)Continue reading “Other People’s Accidents”
Setting My Rules Aside
Dearest Rachel – I promised myself I would wait for the girls, but there’s only so much I can do about self-imposed restrictions when I want to break them. I’d apologize, but to whom? I’d gotten my hands on that anime series I’ve mentioned a few times since Anime Central; A Place Further than theContinue reading “Setting My Rules Aside”
from Rachel: To Enjoy God’s Presence
After reading Isaiah 43:1-7, please complete the following: “When I read verse 1, I feel…” “Special (precious to God)” What reason exists for not giving way to fear? “God is with us.” Fill in the following blanks with the promises God made based on the following conditions. When you pass through the waters, “I willContinue reading “from Rachel: To Enjoy God’s Presence”
The Treasure of Your Words
Dearest Rachel – So… later this afternoon, I head over to Jenn’s place and hop a ride with her and Bill to tonight’s wedding. I still have yet to try on a jacket, tie on a tie, and write a check to the happy couple as a gift (I’m not one for shopping, after all,Continue reading “The Treasure of Your Words”
Electric Summer
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday morning, I was carrying my cereal bowl into the dining/family room to eat breakfast – I’ve never really managed to find a good, comfortable place to set myself down in the kitchen on one of those bar stool chairs I’d gotten shortly after the remodeling was completed, and the fact thatContinue reading “Electric Summer”
Shouldn’t It Be The Weekend By Now?
Dearest Rachel – You know, apart from putting sufficient time in at the ‘office’ (and it’s not as if I haven’t done any ‘work’ there these last few days), it rather feels like it’s been a suitably full and eventful week already. I’ve gotten in all the exercise I ever do these days in theContinue reading “Shouldn’t It Be The Weekend By Now?”
from Rachel: Baby’s First Year Calendar
Dearest Rachel – Thirty years ago this evening, I came home to find you standing in the tub, mildly perplexed, with water running down your leg. Unlike your mom, you hadn’t had some sort of catastrophic breaking of your water; indeed, it was so minimal that you assumed it was no more than a prematureContinue reading “from Rachel: Baby’s First Year Calendar”
A Question You’d Never Ask Me
“So… how was your date?” Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure you actually did ask that very question once or twice, but it was directed at Daniel rather than myself, obviously. He’s had a couple of girlfriends (and friends who were girls; there’s a difference, as you know), and been on a few dates withContinue reading “A Question You’d Never Ask Me”
Too Distracted to Care
Dearest Rachel – I couldn’t speak for you, but it’s customary for a guy preparing to go on a date to get a slight case of the jitters beforehand. Maybe it’s out of concern for the plans he’s made; he’s hoping they don’t fall through somehow. That certainly seems reasonable, but I think it goesContinue reading “Too Distracted to Care”
Recognizing the Real Thing
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday being Father’s Day, there’s a bit of a tradition at church to give out little presents to the honorees. With the moms last month, it was these little bundt cakes; for us dads, there were ice cold bottles of Mexican Coca-Cola. Personally, I thought it was more appropriate when theyContinue reading “Recognizing the Real Thing”
from Rachel: To Experience God’s Peace
According to 2 Thessalonians 3:16, how often and in how many areas of life does God desire to give you peace? “at all times, and in every way” Identify what each of the following passages teaches you about peace; watch for hints of a common denominator between many of them. Isaiah 9:6,7 “Jesus is theContinue reading “from Rachel: To Experience God’s Peace”
Who Bothers to Read Minds?
Dearest Rachel – Well, it seems that, in the words of the late Charles Schulz (is he up there, by the way? Have you seen him? I’m thinking he might be hanging out with his childhood beagle friend), I’d wasted a good worry. Pastor Scott hadn’t really been concerned with whatever heavy questions I mightContinue reading “Who Bothers to Read Minds?”
A Question of Motive
Dearest Rachel – The funny thing is, I don’t really think I have that much to say to him; at least, no more than at any other time since we last got together for lunch like this. I feel like I have to come up with something, because I don’t see him believing that, especiallyContinue reading “A Question of Motive”
Restating the Past
Dearest Rachel – I’d thank you and Kevin for the visit, but as it wasn’t even long enough for me to react to your presence, I don’t know how worthwhile it was for the two of you to bother making a cameo appearance in my dreams last night. I think we were wandering the corridorsContinue reading “Restating the Past”
Incomplete Advice
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s been a while since I had a dream worth telling you about, so I suppose one was bound to come along sooner or later. I only wish that one, I had the time and foresight to respond in a thoughtful manner, and two, that I was able to finish withoutContinue reading “Incomplete Advice”
One List for Another
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t expect to be writing you again so soon, to be honest, honey – it’s just a day of errands, when all is said and done, after all – but considering that my earlier letter pretty much ended with far too many words already and me still only making plans toContinue reading “One List for Another”
Moving Toward São Paulo
Dearest Rachel – I’m going to start with a few apologies with this letter, honey. First of all, this one is going to be a little rambly, compared to most of the things I write to you. I know I try to keep a consistent theme with each of these letters, but it’s not goingContinue reading “Moving Toward São Paulo”
Finding the Rot
Dearest Rachel – Kris has been working here for nearly an hour and a half, and has yet to make it out of the kitchen. However, it looks like she’s about to wrap things up, and begin on the (relatively) lighter work of cleaning up the rest of the house, now that she’s finally discoveredContinue reading “Finding the Rot”
from Rachel: To Find Satisfaction in God
According to John 8:32, what will Christ continually use as the means to our destination? “the truth” What do you think being satisfied with something means? “I think it means feeling that it, in itself, is enough. As opposed to, in the middle of one activity, thinking about another you’d rather be experiencing.” What doesContinue reading “from Rachel: To Find Satisfaction in God”
One Final Trip (part 2)
Dearest Rachel – So, it’s finally settled between the girls and me. You’ll be laid to rest, as per your wishes, on your 55th birthday. After all the wrangling about scheduling and the like, we’ve come to an approximate date far enough in the future for all of us to keep those schedules of oursContinue reading “One Final Trip (part 2)”
Essay Test
Dearest Rachel – It’s something of an axiom these days to compare dating with a job interview, especially given the line of questioning one winds up dealing with under the guise of small talk. At least one comedian I know of has suggested that the only difference is that you’re much less likely to windContinue reading “Essay Test”
Pressure Release
Dearest Rachel – I honestly thought that Lars would be more pleased when I told him. Oh, he was pleased enough to hear that I’d finally managed to drop below 250 and stay there for more than a twenty-four hour period (although I warned him that I’d probably bob up above it again the nextContinue reading “Pressure Release”
Thirty Years of Weaning
Dearest Rachel – So today, I’m dropping Daniel’s second tax installment payment in the mail, after having coached him yet again through the process of writing the check to the Department of Revenue. This evening, I’ll be walking him through setting up his first recurring tithe (well, not a ‘tithe’ per se, as it’s hardContinue reading “Thirty Years of Weaning”
Seven Minutes
Dearest Rachel – If you choose your activity carefully, and put your mind to it, you can accomplish a lot in seven minutes. I can get my point across in that amount of time, for instance. Oh, I don’t mean that I can write these letters anywhere near that quickly; I consider myself fortunate ifContinue reading “Seven Minutes”
Dull Docket
Dearest Rachel – This letter may be shorter than most of the ones I’ve written to you lately (although you never know; I might be able to stretch it out into a thousand words all the same). I hope that’s okay with you. The thing is, there’s not much to tell you about today thatContinue reading “Dull Docket”
When He Gives A Sign…
Dearest Rachel – There’s something mildly ironic about the fact that I just put out a study that you did (like I do most Sundays), and in my comments about it, questioned how we can know whether our choices glorify God. Most of the time, it’s because the decisions we face appear, even to ourselves,Continue reading “When He Gives A Sign…”
from Rachel: To Glorify God
Based on your recollection of day 1, check the five primary benefits we are free to enjoy as children of God. Review for any you missed.– “experience God’s peace– “enjoy God’s presence– “know God and believe Him– “find satisfaction in God– “glorify God” Drawing from your memory as much as possible, what is our definitionContinue reading “from Rachel: To Glorify God”
And Then It Hit Me
Dearest Rachel – This morning really didn’t start off that much differently from any other Saturday morning (at least, any Saturday since your departure). This may be convention weekend for the boys, but they still sleep at the house – and why not, since the event is barely five miles from the house? So IContinue reading “And Then It Hit Me”
Off My Meds
Dearest Rachel – I don’t remember exactly how long ago it was; I’m think it’s been seven years since Mohinder browbeat me into going for an annual physical. I rarely saw the value in them, as I basically knew what I would hear from my doctor, and I felt I either didn’t need (because IContinue reading “Off My Meds”
On My Own To Decide
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned to you before the ambivalence I have toward the fact that I (theoretically) can decide for myself what to do at any given time. There is something nice about being able to go out on a whim, like I did this morning, and grab breakfast without worrying about needing toContinue reading “On My Own To Decide”
Letters to Rachel 