Dearest Rachel – When Dad’s latest health issue was at its most urgent, he was in the hospital, which is practically in our backyard (especially as compared to his and Mom’s house, where I have my ‘office’). As a result, it was no trouble – and indeed, I felt it more my responsibility than myContinue reading “A Single Pillow”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (part one)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“You see, God is the environment of man. Paul says, ‘For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.’ (Acts 17:28) – fascinating “Having a renewed mindContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (part one)”
Babysitting Each Other
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a strange one, honey. Logan has headed downstate with his family, as his sister is wrapping up things at college – I forget if it’s her graduation proper, or her last turn on stage (I think she’s a theater major) – so the house is suddenly that much more quietContinue reading “Babysitting Each Other”
Mother’s Day
Dearest Rachel – You might recall that we have a traditional gift we get my mom for Mother’s Day (which, admittedly, often felt like a bit of a cop out, given how easy it was); we would head over to a local florist/garden center, and get her a gift card for the place. And whileContinue reading “Mother’s Day”
It’s My Own Fault
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s a case of my being preoccupied with one or another thing, or that you would have made it more of a priority than I have, but in either case, this would never have happened on your watch. The other day, while Daniel and I were catching upContinue reading “It’s My Own Fault”
Shivering From…?
Dearest Rachel – And just when we thought everything was sorted out, too… The thing is, Dad has been making it plain that, for all that he seemed to have been recovering from this third near-fatal incident, it’s not that he’s truly ‘getting better’ any more. On the contrary, each recovery settles him in atContinue reading “Shivering From…?”
A New Version of ‘Normal’
Dearest Rachel – Well, it would seem that the crisis has passed once again. After yet another scare, it looks like Dad is going to recover. He’s even making plans for what life will be like for him once he returns home, although he’s accepted that it won’t happen for at least three or fourContinue reading “A New Version of ‘Normal’”
If I’d Had the Time…
Dearest Rachel – Of late, I’ve begun to wonder what I would have done if your departure was anything more than the sudden shock that it was. If we’d known that it was coming – and been of the understanding that there was nothing to be done to prevent it (a combination which, to beContinue reading “If I’d Had the Time…”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part five)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“…since the flesh is always with us this side of heaven, the engine never stops. At best it is idling; at worst, it is racing! – isn’t that theContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part five)”
The Boys Have Made Plans
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve been telling you about Dad’s latest wrestling match with mortality, there have been more than a few undercard bouts that have been on the bill that I haven’t touched on. There are a couple of which I’ve thrown in the sponge until a more opportune time, such asContinue reading “The Boys Have Made Plans”
Not Always Working Out
Dearest Rachel – I had originally thought to reference the Rolling Stones’ song about how “you can’t always get what you want” in the title, but when it comes to yesterday’s events (especially the afternoon), it most certainly wasn’t an offsetting case of Dad getting what he needed. Quite the contrary, in fact, but I’llContinue reading “Not Always Working Out”
The New Routine
Dearest Rachel – You’re aware that, when I asked the folks’ permission to set up an office in their basement, where Dad used to have his office, it wasn’t entirely altruistic, so as to be in the house in case they needed me to be there for some reason or other. Oh, there is that,Continue reading “The New Routine”
(Un)Moving Day
Dearest Rachel – Each day at the hospital is another case of not knowing how things are going to go, and what, if anything, is going to happen. Depending on how well he’s been able to sleep the night before, Dad’s mood could be one of contentment with whatever fate has in store for him,Continue reading “(Un)Moving Day”
Pizza Week
Dearest Rachel – After all the heavy stuff of this past weekend – and I’m not even going to touch on the stuff going on in the wider world, as that doesn’t really matter to us – I’d like to tell you about something a little lighter for a change. Granted, it doesn’t leave meContinue reading “Pizza Week”
Strange Delivery
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you about mysterious deliveries that I’ve gotten at home, starting from the first few months or so after your departure. I have my suspicions as to who might’ve been responsible in one case or another, but nothing concrete to go on. However, as it turns out, I’m not the onlyContinue reading “Strange Delivery”
Weary from the Ride
Dearest Rachel – Each day is another ride on the roller coaster that is life; some days are wonderful and exhilarating, while others make your heart and lungs nearly fly out of your throat. And while at times it sounds like a fun way to look at life – even an actual day at anContinue reading “Weary from the Ride”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (parts three & four)
(Part 3) In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Don’t give in to feelings that are generated by fleshly, selfish thinking. They will not give you an accurate picture of reality. They will keep you trappedContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (parts three & four)”
A Bleak Vision of the Future
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days have been spent at Dad’s bedside for the better part of eight hours; slightly less than half my waking day. It’s the least I could do, given the fact that I don’t have to be at ‘work’ these days. For what it’s worth, it seems thatContinue reading “A Bleak Vision of the Future”
The Ultimate Role Model
Dearest Rachel – I freely admit it; while I make a point of showing up at the ‘office’ on a near-daily basis during the ‘work’ week, I almost never put in a full eight hour, nine-to-five ‘work’ day anymore. Since I don’t answer to a boss, and I take no pay for services rendered, thereContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model”
Japanese Breakfast
Dearest Rachel – Even with the sudden, developing chaos of the past couple of days (now playing out at the ICU yet again; most of today’s work day will be spent over there, which is part of why I’m getting this written to you in the early hours of the morning) and the chronic, naggingContinue reading “Japanese Breakfast”
One Scare After Another
Dearest Rachel – This is going to sound familiar to you at this point, given the tumult that occupied much of the last five years of your life. The past couple of days have been just what I’ve said at the top of this letter – one scare after another – with regard to DadContinue reading “One Scare After Another”
An Empty Bottle of Time
Dearest Rachel – I can’t recall if Jan and I found it in amongst everything we had to sort through during the purge – it’s possible that I only remember seeing it during any number of our many trips down to your childhood home over the December holidays and other times – but you hadContinue reading “An Empty Bottle of Time”
So That I Can Go Back Again
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t do a lot of work on this letter to you yesterday when the subject occurred to me. After all, I was busying myself in the booth during the morning’s three services – and I had to keep on my toes, since there would be lulls at intermittent times in betweenContinue reading “So That I Can Go Back Again”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Our flesh itself is not destroyed in our co-crucifixion with Christ, but just as a dead corpse is powerless to respond to anyone’s will, so our flesh’s absolute powerContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part two)”
It’s Just Bugging Me…
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like Lars and me to go walking through the woods on a Friday. Generally, we tend to prefer earlier in the week, since it allows us to reschedule and postpone things if necessary; waiting until the last day of the week leaves us with no options, should something come up,Continue reading “It’s Just Bugging Me…”
Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out
Dearest Rachel – Now, just yesterday, I got into a couple of news stories that, if you look at them in a certain way, could explain why women want nothing to do with dating men – because they could be hideous creeps (or worse), and you wouldn’t know until it’s way too late. Fair enough;Continue reading “Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out”
Boy, You Think You Know a Guy…
Dearest Rachel – “I read the news today, oh boy…” Yeah, this is the sort of topic I’d rather not be talking about here. Like I’ve said so many times before, talking about politics on the internet is something that will get you strung up by half the population of the place – if notContinue reading “Boy, You Think You Know a Guy…”
Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp
Dearest Rachel – It’s a good thing that I don’t direct these letters at anyone but you, and it doesn’t matter to me as to how many others might be reading this over your shoulder. I don’t have any consistent message of uplift or progress that would appeal to a mass audience (or, on theContinue reading “Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp”
O Fortuna
Dearest Rachel – I know, I know; just from looking at the title here, you can practically hear the song, complete with the misheard lyrics. Feel free to have a chuckle or two at it before I get on with why I bring the topic up in the first place. If I remember correctly, theContinue reading “O Fortuna”
At Least Monday is Short
Dearest Rachel – The box with the camera and its accessories sits on a TV tray at the foot of the bed, like it has all weekend. The memory chip I ordered separately (remember when it was just that batteries weren’t included in a toy we would get for Daniel for Christmas or his birthday?)Continue reading “At Least Monday is Short”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part one)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Now the primary task of mortification is to weaken the habit of sin so that its power to express itself – in violence, frequency, tumult, provocation and unrest –Continue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part one)”
Not Working for the Weekend
Dearest Rachel – According to the piped-in music I occasionally will notice while I’m at the gym, “everybody’s working for the weekend” except for me these days. Look, I get it; I remember the days when those two days away from the office – particularly the one in which I had no commitments but toContinue reading “Not Working for the Weekend”
And Were You? Or Are You?
Dearest Rachel – Now, this is a letter that the topic of which I thought I’d written to you weeks ago, when it first came up in my mind. Then again, the fact that it seems like it hasn’t suggests that the events of the day put the idea on the back burner until suchContinue reading “And Were You? Or Are You?”
Aches and Pains
Dearest Rachel – I understand that, as we get older, certain parts of the body start to break down, and they become that much more painful to use. Which is a bit of a problem when exercise is the means by which I’m trying to get into shape. I’ve been noticing – and may haveContinue reading “Aches and Pains”
Awaiting A Reply
Dearest Rachel – No, it’s not as if I’m expecting to hear back from you; I never have, even from the first, no matter how wonderful it would be if you could or would. This particular story, like so many since your departure, has less to do with you, and more with my dealings withContinue reading “Awaiting A Reply”
The Usual Wager
Dearest Rachel – I almost missed it yesterday evening, until Daniel pointed it out to me: a single balloon languishing in the rafters of the church when we arrived for Sparks last night. Of course, you might wonder how this sight would trigger a letter from me, and why I would use such a seeminglyContinue reading “The Usual Wager”
Like Nothing We’d Ever Done
Dearest Rachel – Believe it or not, I was half-expecting to spend all of yesterday cooped up at home. Think about that; I never spend any Sunday like this, and here I was, planning to stay home for the whole of Easter, of all Sundays? But with the plans for the family to get togetherContinue reading “Like Nothing We’d Ever Done”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (parts four and five)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“No attribute of God is more emphasized in scripture than His loving care for His people. Yet no quality of God is doubted and more than His love whenContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (parts four and five)”
I’ve No Right To Complain
Dearest Rachel – I’d say this is hardly a typical Easter weekend, but given that I’ve been out of the country twice in the last five years over Easter weekend, I’ve no right to complain about this one. But it still feels kind of strange, regardless. Among other things, I’m accustomed to working the boothContinue reading “I’ve No Right To Complain”
Not Quite Independent, But…
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, as I was returning from the gym, I ran into Logan as he was taking his first break of his workday in order to slap together some breakfast – well, technically, he’d “slapped it together” on Sunday, along with similar pre-prepared meals for the entirety of his work week; all heContinue reading “Not Quite Independent, But…”
Finally Returning
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it was overly optimistic of me, but after fasting over the weekend (as I do when I’m working the booth – keeping busy keeps my mind off of food, although I generally allow myself a couple of coffees on Sunday, due to the early start of the day; and yes,Continue reading “Finally Returning”
Future Past
Dearest Rachel – I hadn’t expected to be cooking for my own birthday dinner; but then again, that’s not what yesterday evening was supposed to be, in any event. The idea actually stemmed from Erin wondering in our ongoing group chat whether the six of us could get together at her place for a change,Continue reading “Future Past”
Up To A Point
Dearest Rachel – One of the odd situations of my particular task at Sparks, as I record attendance and progress, is that I’m not exactly busy during the time everything else is going on, but rather before and after. We get to church early, since neither Daniel nor I have job commitments, and set theContinue reading “Up To A Point”
Woefully Inadequate
Dearest Rachel – Considering that I’m to meet her at ten this morning, I’m up way too early. Then again, it’s not entirely my own fault; when Daniel dropped by the bedroom after Logan called it a night last night, we didn’t even get through a single video before he seemed noticeably still, and hisContinue reading “Woefully Inadequate”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part three)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“God doesn’t humble every man in the same way. He has wrenches of many sizes in his toolbox to fix whatever problem He finds – I love the metaphorContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part three)”
Outlasting My Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – As has been the case for a while, I’m writing to you about yesterday’s events – or at least one event in particular. The trouble is, it’s sometimes hard to decide what to focus on as far as a specific topic goes; even on slow days, there are often multiple things goingContinue reading “Outlasting My Treadmill”
And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother
Dearest Rachel – Since these letters usually go out in the morning, when all I’ve been able to take care of is my morning routine before heading out to the ‘office,’ I often make reference to things that I have coming up, and then put the brakes on going into detail about them, because I’dContinue reading “And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother”
Glassing Over
Dearest Rachel – There are some moments in life which I can’t describe to you as they’re happening, just by dint of what they are. You’ll notice, for instance, that I describe many of my mornings to you – because that’s often when I have energy and inspiration, not to mention the desire to getContinue reading “Glassing Over”
Shrieking Into Traffic
Dearest Rachel – I can still remember your shriek from the night Aki-san was mortally wounded. I had come downstate to visit you while you were back home at your folks’ house over one break or another. The date escapes me at the moment, I confess; I want to say Christmas or late January, butContinue reading “Shrieking Into Traffic”
Nod Over… Celsius?
Dearest Rachel – There are certain mornings when I wake up with an idea to talk to you about, and all the time in the world to get it written down for you before I head out to the ‘office.’ Not often, but occasionally; most mornings, I have the time, but nothing in my headContinue reading “Nod Over… Celsius?”
Worrying Over Nothing
Dearest Rachel – Sixty-two months, it’s been; and yes, I still remember from time to time. A lot has changed since that day, which is part of the point of these missives, nowadays. For all that I wish I could talk more about our past, it’s the present that occupies my time (it is myContinue reading “Worrying Over Nothing”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Satan’s sin against God in the primal glory was a fivefold expression of the two defiant words: ‘I will,’ and every unyielded life is perpetuating the crime of SatanContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part two)”
Someone Else’s Comfort Food
Dearest Rachel – For all the Japanese (and other Asian) restaurants we have scattered throughout the local area within a fairly reasonable drive, most of them tend to be of what the natives themselves would consider to be restaurant food. This sounds like a tautology, I realize, but here’s the thing; what we can findContinue reading “Someone Else’s Comfort Food”
Back on the Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – The title of this letter was originally meant to only be taken literally, but after the morning I’ve had thus far (and seeing that it’s already after noon, that’s saying something), it might just be a metaphor for something a little larger than that. If I didn’t know better as to whatContinue reading “Back on the Treadmill”
Our Own Main Character
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t the first time it’s been said here, and I can guarantee that it won’t be the last, but it’s dismaying to note how much of the content of this site, these letters, are in the first person. There is far too much in here of “I,” “me,” and “my,” andContinue reading “Our Own Main Character”
What Might Otherwise Be Junk
Dearest Rachel – Well, I’ve gone and done it; we’ve gotten ourselves a new car. Only has some four thousand miles on it, bought straight from the dealership, for the first time in my life. I might even have to do this again relatively soon, albeit this time for Daniel’s sake; I’d rather he notContinue reading “What Might Otherwise Be Junk”
Once I Get This Taken Care Of…
Dearest Rachel – I’d say something to the effect that life is a series of plans that “gang aft agley,” as Robert Burns’ fieldmouse discovered, to its dismay, except that that’s not really quite accurate. Yes, we make plans, and yes, they will sometimes go awry (as Burns’ phrase translates to), but really, the ‘goingContinue reading “Once I Get This Taken Care Of…”
First World Trials
Our trial is… which car to buyTemptation is… that extra dessertIn the land of orange juiceYou’re better off with the right kind of shirt “It’s Sick,” Daniel Amos, Vox Humana (1983) Dearest Rachel – I think the point of this verse had to do with the fact that we fret over such insignificant things whenContinue reading “First World Trials”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part one)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“We must understand that to look to anything apart from God to make life work is to forsake God. – powerful “Yet everything around us demonstrates that ‘a riverContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part one)”
Speak to Me About Eternity
Dearest Rachel – For the life of me, I can’t remember the thoughts you had about the concept of eternity, of the infinite. I’m pretty sure I can remember your roommate and maid of honor Elizabeth, speaking of how the thought would keep her up at night when she was a child, fearful about theContinue reading “Speak to Me About Eternity”
Three Times Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; upon returning home from our trip, I was starting to think I was going to be able to transition seamlessly from Japan time to Central time. While Daniel nodded off in his recliner next to your side of the bed, I was more hungry than sleepy; enough so asContinue reading “Three Times Too Late”
Falling Apart
I busted a mirror and got seven years’ bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five. Steven Wright Dearest Rachel – Barely a day or so back from being overseas, and only having driven the car once or twice since returning, and this has to happen… I have no idea what happenedContinue reading “Falling Apart”
Things to Get Used to Again
Dearest Rachel – Home again, and having to get used to Central Daylight Time (yes, the clocks changed over while we were out of the country, which only means we have to turn our own internal clocks back fourteen hours rather than fifteen, as far as we’re concerned). Someone told me the other day that,Continue reading “Things to Get Used to Again”
Time to Kill
Dearest Rachel – Tuesday, and we’re up once again well before the city is, at five a.m. That gives us seven or eight hours to kill before our bus – the bell clerk recommended that we take the 12:40 departure, as opposed to the 11:40, which would leave us just over two hours before ourContinue reading “Time to Kill”
Shedding Light on Kabuki-cho
Dearest Rachel – The one time I was in Shinjuku before, I had but an hour to wander around before I felt compelled to retrace my steps back to the train station, lest I get stuck there without a way to get back to Yokohama, where the ship was docked for the night. As aContinue reading “Shedding Light on Kabuki-cho”
Scrambling to Shibuya
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Tokyo; not our last morning, but the beginning of our last full day here. We’ve no real idea how to get the most out of the day (which probably means we won’t manage to), but we’ll do our best. We have a framework of where we want to go, andContinue reading “Scrambling to Shibuya”
Otaku Hajj
Dearest Rachel – Now that we’re on our own to knock about the city, I can think of three major areas in Tokyo that Daniel and I ought to spend some time wandering around before we go home: Akihabara, Shibuya and Shinjuku. So when I started the day, I asked my chatbot for recommendations asContinue reading “Otaku Hajj”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part five)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“You must lead in following the Father’s will of humbling yourself for others – advice to live by.“The contents of three ‘tea bags’ have to be changed before theContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part five)”
Walking through Sunshine
Dearest Rachel – As I indicated in an earlier letter, now that the official part of our tour is over, we were going to take things at our own pace, and in our own directions. For all that Japan is so rich in history, we’ve decided not to bother dealing with that for now. IfContinue reading “Walking through Sunshine”
Not Something I’d Have Considered
Dearest Rachel – It’s funny; just as the official portion of our time on tour here draws to a close, the level of activity ramps up considerably. You’ve already gotten a couple of letters about Friday’s activities, but those only got you halfway through the day itself. It’s as if there was some final push,Continue reading “Not Something I’d Have Considered”
The Old Ball Game
Dearest Rachel – The flow through Tokyo Station is like a human ten-lane expressway, with everybody changing lanes at all times. It’s fascinating to contemplate, but when you’re down there, who has time for that? You’re rushing to and fro with all of the other lemmings, trying to make your train. Pausing in the middleContinue reading “The Old Ball Game”
Sayonara Nagano
Dearest Rachel – It seems kind of appropriate that our room here in Nagano is on the very end of the hall, without so much as another room on the opposite side. We’ve rather isolated ourselves from the rest of the group as it is, so it makes sense that we be positioned so asContinue reading “Sayonara Nagano”
On Familiar Ground
Dearest Rachel – This morning started off early, as they all do – although perhaps a little extra so today, thanks to yesterday’s nap, which at least had the virtue of allowing me to put together the details of Wednesday’s events. It took me the better part of two hours to get all that writtenContinue reading “On Familiar Ground”
Easing Ourselves In
Dearest Rachel – After spending the entire evening yesterday within the hotel and shopping complex connected to the Nagano train station, thinking that we might be confining ourselves more than we ought to, I was looking forward to having a reason to get out and actually make our way around the city. I say ‘I’Continue reading “Easing Ourselves In”
Second Second Home
Dearest Rachel – It doesn’t always apply, of course – there are times when it’s just needed as a place to sleep, and others when it’s a fancy treat (in more ways than one) that simply couldn’t be provided in real life – but as a general rule, a hotel room is meant to beContinue reading “Second Second Home”
Before We Head Out…
Dearest Rachel – After getting back to the hotel last night (for the second time around; Daniel actually fell asleep almost as soon as we made it back from Harajuku, but after an hour’s worth of editing and writing, I felt the need to wake him up so we could at least get some smallContinue reading “Before We Head Out…”
Our Separate Ways
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t get anywhere near the amount of sleep that I should have last night, honey. After cashing in a little after ten, I thought I’d gotten myself a decent night’s rest, only to wake up a little after midnight, needing to use the bathroom. I managed to drift off yet again…Continue reading “Our Separate Ways”
The Moment or the Memory
Dearest Rachel – Only a day into this tour (barely half that, in fact!), and I’m realizing that there’s another difference about this one as opposed to most of our previous travels that may make keeping you up to speed that much more difficult. While we’ve done plenty of trips where we’re running at aContinue reading “The Moment or the Memory”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part four)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“If people did not remain strangers to themselves, they would not maintain all their lives in the same paralyzed state. But they give flattering names to their own naturalContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part four)”
Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It
Dearest Rachel – I’ve talked before about how, from coast to coast, American cities pride themselves on never sleeping. It’s been celebrated in song from “New York, New York” to the San Francisco that was supposedly “built… on rock and roll.” Whether they actually stay awake, going full crank for 24/7/365 is a matter ofContinue reading “Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It”
This Is Different
Dearest Rachel – We’ve done a lot of traveling in our lives, both while you were around and since you had to go. Most of those trips were cruises, where as we put it, you unpack once and let your hotel do the traveling for you. Other times, it’s been with large groups (although IContinue reading “This Is Different “
To Bless and Be a Blessing
Dearest Rachel – When we go walking in the woods every week, Lars will almost always ask me about three things in my life, only one of which has much change from week to week. That fluctuating one is my weight, although it’s less so at the moment, since I’ve given up most of whatContinue reading “To Bless and Be a Blessing”
More Than A Mood
Dearest Rachel – There were days, back when you were still here, when we would exert ourselves to the point of overdoing it, and you in particular would pay for it later on. Raking leaves comes to mind in particular, even at this opposite point on the calendar, in part because the front lawn hasContinue reading “More Than A Mood”
Better in Stepford
Dearest Rachel – The other day, I was showing Daniel one of the channels I’ve been watching while he’s been hanging out with Logan in the family room. It’s one of those film analysis essay sites, but rather than addressing the literary merits of the work, it discusses a film’s effect on the collective psycheContinue reading “Better in Stepford”
Preoccupation, Not Procrastination
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been busy every so often with tying up the odd loose end here and there – clearing my schedule and the like – in preparation for our flight to Tokyo at the end of the week. For all that I might wish that I could be perfectly nonchalant about such travels,Continue reading “Preoccupation, Not Procrastination”
Not So Much to Say as All That
Dearest Rachel – You would think that, given the unusual nature of yesterday’s events, I would have a lot to tell you about them. However, upon waking up this morning, I somehow found myself with a head full of cobwebs, and little else; so much so that, despite having retired to bed before ten o’clockContinue reading “Not So Much to Say as All That”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part three)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“The Bible assures us, however, that we can have great hope. (There are very few quoteworthy portions of today’s passage) – a message of hope.“The Scriptures teach us thatContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part three)”
The Reins I Didn’t Ask For…
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that, this morning, the man who leads the Saturday morning study is going to be away this week. This is around his fifth anniversary – which is wild to realize; his wife barely met you, although she did apparently see you at one point when we had convened ourContinue reading “The Reins I Didn’t Ask For…”
Asking About Autos
Dearest Rachel – Compared to the last couple of days, there’s not a whole lot going on today. I mean, there’s enough to keep me occupied, even busy, for that matter, but nothing particularly out of the ordinary that would be worth telling you about, and which you couldn’t point out that I’d told youContinue reading “Asking About Autos”
Not So Attached as All That
Dearest Rachel – For some reason, your family had a habit of naming most of your vehicles. I don’t remember all the name, to be sure – Sweet Fawn comes to mind, as that was the one you and your mom were in a fiery wreck with when you were only two or three, butContinue reading “Not So Attached as All That”
After Dark, But By Choice
Dearest Rachel – At this point in the calendar, you’d think this would be less of an issue; we’re already much closer to the vernal equinox than the winter solstice. We’re not limited to a bare handful of (mostly cloudy) hours in any given day before night falls back again, and I find myself drivingContinue reading “After Dark, But By Choice”
Cooking, For Once
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like I haven’t done this before – even preparing this specific dish, for that matter – but of a Monday evening, Daniel and I rarely stay home and fix ourselves dinner. As a general rule, we head out a little after four, and hit some place up between home andContinue reading “Cooking, For Once”
Embarrassed by Mom
Dearest Rachel – We were boarding the shuttle to one of the remote parking areas around church yesterday afternoon (we’d decided to attend the last service, since it was the most sparsely attended; not that that’s saying much, as it was pretty crowded in there as well by the time the sermon started). The onlyContinue reading “Embarrassed by Mom”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“‘…it seems that life has fewer snags when we stay out of trouble. We often achieve the accolades and image we want. We can become smug…’ (and the wholeContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part two)”
Devoutly to be Ignored
Dearest Rachel – This should hardly come as any great surprise to you, but I really don’t like the holiday that today happens to bear within it. I’ve come to regard it much like the reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge described his former opinion toward Christmas, as “a false and commercial festival, devoutly to be ignored.” WhichContinue reading “Devoutly to be Ignored”
On the Subject of Breadmaking
Dearest Rachel – For once when we met to go walking in the woods this week, Lars didn’t quiz me about any developments in my love life, like he usually does. To be sure, there really weren’t any to speak of – there never really are, these days – just an interesting moment tangentially relatedContinue reading “On the Subject of Breadmaking”
Chasing Numbers
Dearest Rachel – I’m telling you, honey, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m a numbers person (like you were), I think I would have given up on this weight loss journey some time ago. Not only have things tapered off in terms of actual weight loss over the past year and a halfContinue reading “Chasing Numbers”
When the Stakes are Off the Table
Dearest Rachel – You know better than most that I’m not a particularly social creature, honey. There are times when I can fake it – and on an individual, one-on-one basis, it may not necessarily be fake at all – but for the most part, it’s very hard for me to interact with new people,Continue reading “When the Stakes are Off the Table”
My Answer to Sudoku
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been told by some folks who have a habit of reading over your shoulder that doing so feels like reading someone’s diary. And I can see why; if for no other reason, the fact that there’s something said to you every day gives it that quality right there. Then there’s theContinue reading “My Answer to Sudoku”
No More Water Coolers
Dearest Rachel – You were – and you would acknowledge this, however abashedly (depending on the circumstance) – an avid consumer of, maybe not pop culture as such, but at least media in general. Be it one or another sci-fi or fantasy series, a daytime talk show, or various comedy anthologies that would air overContinue reading “No More Water Coolers”
Letters to Rachel 