Dearest Rachel – There were a lot of factors I could point to that conspired to present last night’s dream. There’s been all the work that’s been done her at our house, and the issues involved with navigating around everything while it’s been worked on. Hand in glove with that is the current issue withContinue reading “Your Big Brother is Dying”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
A Dash of Cold Water
Dearest Rachel – In the last five or so years of your life, you decided to give up on your longstanding rule about messing with your hair (up until that point, you were afraid of losing its natural curl that you, like Freida from Peanuts, were so proud of), and dye it going forward. BetterContinue reading “A Dash of Cold Water”
Wobbly Wake-up
Dearest Rachel – I think it must be a symptom of old age – or at least, of the aging process itself. I either wake up hours before the sun does, or I find myself sleeping in past what I would consider to be a reasonable hour. And some days, like this morning, I manageContinue reading “Wobbly Wake-up”
Gray Over Tan
Dearest Rachel – After a weekend of completely overcast skies – and the rain to go with it – today is only partially gray. And I’m fine with that. It’s nice that I don’t have to worry about it threatening to rain again today – the sun’s out just enough to assure me of that.Continue reading “Gray Over Tan”
The Things I Can’t Relate
Dearest Rachel – For all the times recently that I’ve gone into detail about this or that dream, there are those that I can’t relate to you – at least, not here. Sometimes, like this morning, it’s simply because the moment I open my eyes, everything pops like an enormous soap bubble. The only thingContinue reading “The Things I Can’t Relate”
from Rachel: Faulty Assumptions
How are assumptions and thoughts connected? “They are foundational – the groundwork” Did you tuck away some faulty assumptions as an older teen or young adult? List three examples. “I’ll do better later – I’ll have more time then. “A little more won’t hurt – I’ve already come this far (‘I might as well beContinue reading “from Rachel: Faulty Assumptions”
No Plot, No Point… No Problem?
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I don’t know why I’m filling this space with the scenes I see at night. Most of them don’t have a story to them, and the ones that do leave me wondering if they were supposed to mean anything, and being unable to come up with any reasonableContinue reading “No Plot, No Point… No Problem?”
One Last Throw of the Dice
Dearest Rachel – Well, my subscription to that dating website/app is about to expire, and I’m not sure I’m really going to miss it. It’s given me a fair amount of fodder to write you about, to be sure, but up until now, there hasn’t really been all that much in terms of real results.Continue reading “One Last Throw of the Dice”
A Million Words With You
Dearest Rachel – When I first started writing to you after your departure, I wondered how long it would take to get to this point. Well, that’s not entirely true. Originally, it hadn’t crossed my mind to try to actually send you a letter every day – I was thinking of trying to tell yourContinue reading “A Million Words With You”
Broken Guardrails
Dearest Rachel – So, this morning I was out walking to the ‘office’ for the first time in longer than I’d care to admit. Not only had it been a long time since I walked, the weather first thing in the morning was ideal for it, being bright, sunny and with temperatures in the midContinue reading “Broken Guardrails”
You’d Always Check In
Dearest Rachel – I have a hard time with the whole “What Would [fill in the blank; it’s usually Jesus, but some people use other names as well where applicable] Do?” question sometimes. Not because I don’t know what they’d do in the given situation, necessarily, but because, with enough rationalization, you can claim justificationContinue reading “You’d Always Check In”
Red Steam in the Sunrise
Dearest Rachel – I’ve made this distinction before; it’s a rare thing that one’s daydreams and one’s dreams should coincide. But this morning’s screenings clearly must’ve resulted from having won the lottery or something like that. I mean, sure, I probably acquired the thing for kopecks on the ruble, but fixing up an old SovietContinue reading “Red Steam in the Sunrise”
The Modesty of a Child
Dearest Rachel – It’s something of a shame, but it sometimes seems that it requires a special occasion for the family to get together at a restaurant after church these days, when that used to be a weekly tradition. Then again, this is the second week in a row that we’ve been able to doContinue reading “The Modesty of a Child”
No Footprints
Dearest Rachel – It seems that I should write you about today’s (or rather, this weekend’s, since I get to listen to it three times over) sermon, because it hits fairly close to home, especially for the two of us. Not that it isn’t common to all mankind, but given where you are, there’s aContinue reading “No Footprints”
from Rachel: It’s a Woman’s Prerogative to Change Her Mind
Look at the word mind, and write words that describe the mind of Christ. M (Psalm 8:1; 103:8; Matthew 11:29) – “Majestic, Merciful, Meek/Mild” I (Luke 23:4; Titus 2:7) – “Innocent, Integrity” N (Philippians 4:8; Revelation 19:16; Psalm 34:18) – “Noble, Name (?), Near (?)” D (2 Timothy 1:7; 2:15) – “Disciplined, Discerning” How doesContinue reading “from Rachel: It’s a Woman’s Prerogative to Change Her Mind”
At Home For Once
Dearest Rachel – I realize the place has changed dramatically since your departure; you would hardly recognize the kitchen, and its new layout. Even I forget where some things are stored nowadays (in fact, I still couldn’t find enough trivets to go around last night, even though I know there’s more than the one IContinue reading “At Home For Once”
So, ah… What’s This Button Do?
Dearest Rachel – Did I mention about this when Kris was over on Monday? She tried to plug the vacuum cleaner into an outlet in the kitchen, so as to clean up what few crumbs I’d dropped on the floor since the protective cardboard had been peeled up… and nothing happened. She tried several differentContinue reading “So, ah… What’s This Button Do?”
What Can I Do?
Dearest Rachel – So, last night we wrapped up Colossians in our Bible study. Joel had everybody go over what each of us thought was the most individually significant part of the last four lessons. For my part, what struck me was the last section of the third chapter, where Paul talks about various responsibilitiesContinue reading “What Can I Do?”
Digging Out From Under
Dearest Rachel – Back in my relative childhood, when the local mall was actually an everything-under-one-roof-mall rather than an open-air shopping center, and bookstores were actually a thing (and the Amazon was nothing more than a really big river in South America), the place included a Kroch’s & Brentano’s that was so big it neededContinue reading “Digging Out From Under”
Shoeless Day
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, since Kris came over to clean the house (for the first time since both the kitchen and laundry rooms were completed), I stayed home from the ‘office’ in order to be there. As you well know, I don’t like having to owe people for extended periods of time – it’s oneContinue reading “Shoeless Day”
Merchandising Dreams
Dearest Rachel – There are some days when I have a letter to write you begun in my head – I may even start to put it down in the cloud to post the next day (assuming there’s a time in the afternoon when I don’t simply decide to hang out in the family roomContinue reading “Merchandising Dreams”
Silent and Sleeping
Dearest Rachel – Mornings are the best times I’m given to compose something for you; Daniel is still asleep (so I don’t feel compelled to hang out with him, wasting time – although to call spending time with him ‘wasting’ time is more than a little uncharitable. Still, I feel I could be more productiveContinue reading “Silent and Sleeping”
from Rachel: Unchangeable Labels
Write your fact labels here: “wife, mom, daughter, only child, dog walker, short, bi-ocular, near-sighted, brunette, brain tumor-survivor, caucasian, college graduate.” Describe a time when you experienced a disconnect because of labels. “Lately, several people have been asking/expressing concern about my surgery two years ago. While I still enjoy singing praises to God and aboutContinue reading “from Rachel: Unchangeable Labels”
Fresh Squeezed
Dearest Rachel – While we were at the folks’ place for dinner on Thursday, I mentioned about how I needed to do some grocery shopping on our way home (granted, Meijer isn’t exactly ‘on our way,’ but we would be out and about, so it seemed like something worth taking care of before we gotContinue reading “Fresh Squeezed”
More Memories of Hugs
Dearest Rachel – After telling you about Daniel and his efforts to carry on your legacy of embracing others for various worthy reasons, I had other thoughts and memories on the subject, but decided that they merit a separate letter, so as not to distract from the good he was and is doing in followingContinue reading “More Memories of Hugs”
Hug Ambassador
Dearest Rachel – You would be proud of him, honey; he really is your boy at times like these. When we were at Bible study on Wednesday night, Pastor Joel was using his recent vacation to illustrate a point or two – not sure specifically as to when and what it was, probably that lastContinue reading “Hug Ambassador”
More than Required… Or Not
Dearest Rachel – Maybe it was the six miles. I can’t think of any other particular reason. As I mentioned yesterday, I met Lars yesterday afternoon to walk through a forest preserve. This time, it was in our area, at Busse Woods, since he wanted to see the work that had been done on theContinue reading “More than Required… Or Not”
Prickly
Dearest Rachel – I’m wearing shorts this morning. Not because it’s hot out today – although I’m to understand that it certainly will be later on in the day (hey, it’s July, what do you expect?) – but because I’m meeting Lars for a walk around the forest preserve, and I don’t want to disappointContinue reading “Prickly”
Accountability
Dearest Rachel – I confess that I’ve never really been a fact of this particular topic. Oh, don’t get me wrong; I know it’s a useful and necessary tool to keep a oneself on the straight and narrow. It works. It’s just that it’s no fun, admitting when you screwed up, and having to constantlyContinue reading “Accountability”
An Absurdly Short Day
Dearest Rachel – I suppose that, technically, the very idea of a ‘short’ day is absurd. Every day contains the same amount of time – twenty-four hours, no more, no less. Of course, some days will seem longer than others; ironically, sometimes for the exact opposite reason. One day will seem like it goes onContinue reading “An Absurdly Short Day”
Finished… For Now
Dearest Rachel – So, today’s the day. The inspectors are showing up this morning, and the final payments are due. I’ve written the checks for the latter (and yes, there’s two of them – one is the final payment as originally agreed upon, and another to cover the incidental additional work done on the house,Continue reading “Finished… For Now”
With the Sun at My Back
Dearest Rachel – It may not the most efficient way to travel, or the most glamorous, but it gets the job done. The old Irish blessing is that the wind should be at your back, rather than the sun. That way, you can be propelled along by the breeze, speeding you to your destination withContinue reading “With the Sun at My Back”
It’s Not Them…
Dearest Rachel – “It’s not you, it’s me.” It’s amazing to realize you never heard those words directed at you, but I know it to be true. You never dated anyone – indeed, you never considered dating (although you admitted to having a handful of childhood crushes back in the day) – until I cameContinue reading “It’s Not Them…”
I Remember This Time
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure how it happened that last month I forgot about it – maybe it’s because I was dealing with unforeseen circumstances, maybe it’s because I didn’t have as much time to write as I do this month – but it certainly isn’t happening today. It has now been eighteen monthsContinue reading “I Remember This Time”
The Last Masque
Dearest Rachel – When I used to do those convention reports to be posted to the Fanfiction Mailing List way back when – some twenty years ago, you might recall – I would take pages of notes as each entrant strode across the stage. Most of the names meant nothing to me or you, sinceContinue reading “The Last Masque”
So Many Things, So Little to Tell
Dearest Rachel – It’s already more than halfway into the day, and it feels like I should be sending you a note about how things have been going. After all, I’ve been keeping reasonably busy since waking up; responding to emails from an artist I am hoping to commission (despite being told that his queueContinue reading “So Many Things, So Little to Tell”
Snippets From the First Night
Dearest Rachel – I try to limit myself to no more than four letters in any given day to you; however, there are so many little things that happen at a convention that are worthy of comment, and there’s no one to comment to anymore. So I’m just gonna put together a collection of paragraphsContinue reading “Snippets From the First Night”
Brill-Ain’t
Dearest Rachel – I know that you can’t be expected to know about all the books in my library, any more than I could about yours (until Jan and I had to go through it all, and decide what I was likely to read or not and treat accordingly). However, you might recall that I’veContinue reading “Brill-Ain’t”
Still A Little Too Soon
Dearest Rachel – it’s funny how things work out sometimes. When I wrote to you earlier this morning, I was already concerned that I would not be there when I was told that the registration booth for sponsors would be opening up. In fact, I was late by well over an hour. And yet, whenContinue reading “Still A Little Too Soon”
Cartoon Brigadoon
Dearest Rachel – I know that true otaku tend to take offense at their precious anime being referred to as ‘cartoons’; it’s the mark of an uncultured philistine to not recognize the distinction between the two very different art forms (or, more to the point, their styles). Only someone who didn’t ‘get it’ would callContinue reading “Cartoon Brigadoon”
Strictly Unofficial
Just walk in like you own the place. It always works for me. Pick a Doctor, any Doctor; I’m sure each of them has said something like this to a companion or two Dearest Rachel – It’s a weird experience, arriving at the convention nearly a full day before everything starts. Just about everything isContinue reading “Strictly Unofficial”
How the Pendulum Swings
Dearest Rachel – So, I’m on my way to Iowa for this year’s anime convention. Call me pessimistic, but this may very well be for the last time. To think that, back in 2019, we were considering joining the Mindbridge community as part of the volunteer staff in the future for the convention. We nowContinue reading “How the Pendulum Swings”
You Can’t Always Just Replace
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned yesterday that, after furnishing it (however minimally), I’m going to have to give up on the ‘yellow-room-as-man-cave’ concept for a while. This leaves me with one less place to retreat to as the boys effectively take over the house. “But honey,” I hear you ask, “weren’t we always just fineContinue reading “You Can’t Always Just Replace”
Room To Let
Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t entirely prepared when, upon informing Daniel that I was on my way home from the ‘office’ (and thus asking him whether and what I should pick up for dinner), he responded with the news that Logan had come over for the afternoon and evening, and he (Logan) had something inContinue reading “Room To Let”
Mission Improbable
Dearest Rachel – Throughout all that time that I was taking care of Chompers for you after the accident, you’ll recall that I told you many times how I’ve never been much for animals. Along those same lines, I’ve always been somewhat contemptuous of animal liberation groups. At best, they tend to be somewhat misguided,Continue reading “Mission Improbable”
Filling Null Time
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know offhand whether it’s an actual scientific concept, but the idea of null space should be familiar to you, given your affinity for science fiction, particularly as a Whovian. For a budget-conscious show such as the original Doctor Who, it was an easy thing to represent; all you needed wasContinue reading “Filling Null Time”
from Rachel: The Soundtrack in My Thought Closet
Do you meditate? “Yes” What did the Psalmist talk to himself about (Psalm 119)? Verse 27: I will talk to myself about “God’s wonders.” Verse 48: I will talk to myself about “God’s decrees.” Verse 78: I will talk to myself about “God’s precepts.” Verse 148: I will talk to myself about “God’s promises.” WriteContinue reading “from Rachel: The Soundtrack in My Thought Closet”
Ten Thousand Days
Dearest Rachel – Last Thursday, after dinner with the folks, Daniel and I retired to the family room with them as we always do. Mom finished up the washing (yes, that’s her system; it helps that the kitchen counter overlooks the family room, so she’s part of the conversation as she works), and eventually joinedContinue reading “Ten Thousand Days”
Elegance Beneath
Dearest Rachel – So the plastic sheeting came down the other day, so it doesn’t look so much like Daniel and I are living in some elaborate tent anymore. It’s actually mildly disconcerting how accustomed I got with the ‘hall’ that had been created in the sunroom between the entrance and the master bedroom area.Continue reading “Elegance Beneath”
Facing Myself in the Morning
Dearest Rachel – Back in the day, when I was still a part of the work farce, Mohinder would ask me about what I told myself each morning when I would stare at myself in the bathroom mirror, getting ready for the new day. He didn’t seem to think I could face my reflection andContinue reading “Facing Myself in the Morning”
490 Grains of Dust
Dearest Rachel – For all of Pastor Scott’s assertions that he’s never met any alleged skeptic who, when confronted with the challenge to ‘name one’ of the supposed many contradictions in the Bible, hasn’t backed down, there are a number of issues one can deal with when going through scripture. One of these is puttingContinue reading “490 Grains of Dust”
Press ‘2’ For Snow
Dearest Rachel – I just sent the letter out to you yesterday, but I wonder if I shouldn’t make ‘Retail Therapy’ a whole new category of story for me to tell you about. There have certainly been enough purchases that I could retroactively add the category to, and I’m sure that I will make moreContinue reading “Press ‘2’ For Snow”
Retail Therapy
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure it’s not a phrase of your own provenance, although I’m fairly certain I heard it from your lips a number of times. I think you used it to describe several of your friends and their behavior, and while neither of us engaged in it (much), it wasn’t exactly anContinue reading “Retail Therapy”
Schoolhouse Rock
Dearest Rachel – Ever since I made this a challenge to myself, to write you something at least once a day, there are days when I find myself wondering what’s going to be new that’s going to be worth telling you about. It is a ‘new normal’ that I am living in, but when youContinue reading “Schoolhouse Rock”
The Farce is Strong with This One
Dearest Rachel – Saturday, July 9 (3pm) I have so many potential titles for this letter, but it may have to wait to see how things play out, which means that this will need to carry over through tomorrow, because it’s not going to be able to be wrapped up today. However, today is notContinue reading “The Farce is Strong with This One”
from Rachel: My Thought Closet
Write down the “I am” statements you say when you’re beating yourself up. I am “so lazy.” I am “such a procrastinator.” I am “so silly/foolish/stupid/idiotic/weird.” What words best describe how you feel when you beat yourself up? “defeated, incapable, incompetent” How in control are you over your thoughts? “infrequently” Are you satisfied with yourContinue reading “from Rachel: My Thought Closet”
Oh, The Places You’d Gone!
Dearest Rachel – Earlier last week, I swapped out the quilt I’d been using on our bed for the last few months, since the rest of them arrived just in time for Daniel’s birthday (which was particularly fortuitous, since his quilt was among those returned by the company assembling them) – not to mention theContinue reading “Oh, The Places You’d Gone!”
Personal Public Events
Dearest Rachel – Went to bed last night thinking about weddings, honey. The group had been brainstorming ideas over text messages about what to do this evening, or more specifically, what to eat, since I’d been talking about breaking in the new appliances (and despite MatPat’s insistence that it can be done, I have noContinue reading “Personal Public Events”
Lowering the Boom
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another tranche of falsehoods to deal with and dismiss. I’ve already given up on the online dating scene, but I keep having to deal with the occasional zombie that crops up and refuses to go down. Fortunately, like with the walking dead themselves, they seem to be somewhat short onContinue reading “Lowering the Boom”
Little Nightmares
Dearest Rachel – So, last night’s study had us wrapping up the book of Philippians; you know the passage, the one about not being anxious, but rejoicing in every situation. I’ve always had difficulty with that, simply because I can’t keep from thinking of joy as an emotion, as opposed to an action (yes, IContinue reading “Little Nightmares”
Zeno’s Pillbox
Dearest Rachel – At this rate, I wonder if I’m ever going to finish these pills. Or, for that matter, how I’m expecting to cut them any further. First, the good news. Remember that issue I had with my thumb a week and a half ago? As you’ll recall, they prescribed a couple of pillsContinue reading “Zeno’s Pillbox”
Musgo
Dearest Rachel – It’s one of the stranger reasons I have to contact you this evening; most meals fly under the radar, unless it’s one I put together (and while the kitchen is all but finished, I’ve not yet gotten to the point where I feel comfortable actually cooking in here, particularly when the pots,Continue reading “Musgo”
Fallout From the Fourth
He who goes forthwith a fifth on the Fourthmay not go forth on the fifth Anti-drunk-driving PSA, as quoted in Reader’s Digest Dearest Rachel – No, this is not meant to be taken literally, as I’m sure you would have guessed by now (not that I have any clue how you keep track of timeContinue reading “Fallout From the Fourth”
A Place for Patriotism
Dearest Rachel – I remember the second time we went to Israel as part of the church group. We were in Jerusalem by the Wailing Wall as the sun set on Friday. Various groups – not tourists, but local Israelis, some religious groups, others quite clearly military units, as could be told from their variousContinue reading “A Place for Patriotism”
from Rachel: Not So Well With My Soul
What do Genesis 1:3, 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24 reveal about how God uses words? “He uses words to make thoughts into reality/substance.” Proverbs 18:21 describe two distinct outcomes of our words. What are they? “Life and death.” What are some words that breathe life into you? “Special, blessing, friend, best, love, precious, cherish”Continue reading “from Rachel: Not So Well With My Soul”
The Curtain Can’t Come Down Soon Enough
Dearest Rachel – In a different context, you’d be forgiven for thinking that I’m about to break my promise to myself and you about keeping politics to a minimum with a title like that – it’s the sort of sentiment anyone with our belief system (or even dealing with the struggling economy) has to beContinue reading “The Curtain Can’t Come Down Soon Enough”
Approaching the End Game
Dearest Rachel – You might remember my talking about the delivery of all the appliances from Abt back… how many months ago? Heck, I think about it been late last year, in fact. Well, over the course of the past week, the construction team has been clearing all of this out of the garage, asContinue reading “Approaching the End Game”
Abandoned
Dearest Rachel – Last night’s dream was a weird one to wake up from. What I can remember of it had to do with the family and a handful of others (including animals) needing to get back from somewhere in central Missouri, and quickly. So, while most of the others got cars to drive homeContinue reading “Abandoned”
Walking Out the Door
Dearest Rachel – It really feels weird to simply walk out the open door and keep going, but that’s how things are this morning. The tiling team is in today to work on the backsplash, so they need to keep going outside, where they’ve got their table saw out to cut each piece to fit.Continue reading “Walking Out the Door”
Too Much Like an Angel
Dearest Rachel – Late last week, I received a rather large envelope in the mail from a location that didn’t register with me. To be sure, most mail that arrives comes from such locations; even the bills that I process regularly come from addresses that I forget from month to month – the only reasonContinue reading “Too Much Like an Angel”
Primary Concerns
Just remember when you step into your voting boothHe’ll never lie, he’ll just ‘embellish the truth’ Steve Taylor, “Whatever Happened to Sin?” from I Want to Be a Clone (1982) Dearest Rachel – It’s that time again. No, it’s time to spin the Wheel of Amorality, otherwise known as ‘our civic duty,’ or, more toContinue reading “Primary Concerns”
Let’s Try This Again…
Dearest Rachel – I’m fully aware of the fact that most of the things that are happening to me these days that I keep informing you of are fairly little things, when looked at dispassionately. A swollen thumb is as nothing compared to the loss of a limb, say, or (more to the point) theContinue reading “Let’s Try This Again…”
Bad Charlotte or, When Do I Get My Superpowers?
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure when it started; I’m thinking it was early this past week, either Monday or Tuesday. It might have been earlier, too – I just don’t remember. Whenever it was, I assumed it was just a mosquito bite on my thumb, right alongside of my knuckle. Nothing particularly unusualContinue reading “Bad Charlotte or, When Do I Get My Superpowers?”
from Rachel: My Broken Dreams
How about you? Ever sing along, hoping the song (‘When You Wish Upon a Star’) might be true? “I’ve sung the song, but I’m not sure I had any particular dreams in mind. If I did, they were probably outside of the natural order of possibilities. My favorite fantasies involve portals to other worlds: policeContinue reading “from Rachel: My Broken Dreams”
A Weekend in a Day
Dearest Rachel – It’s weird to realize how little of what I’d had lined up for this weekend would have happened were you still with me. It’s even stranger to realize how few of the plans that I thought I had actually managed to pan out. And yet, there was plenty else to rush inContinue reading “A Weekend in a Day”
Resentful of Mercy
Dearest Rachel – I can’t necessarily speak for you, but I have always felt quite safe in our home. Despite its location on a major thoroughfare – or maybe because of it, as its high visibility and lack of street parking precluded most easy break-in possibilities – and its location literally on the ‘wrong sideContinue reading “Resentful of Mercy”
It Seems I Have My Answer
Dearest Rachel – It wasn’t until late in the day yesterday that I realized what day it was. The 23rd of June had all but come and gone, and while I’d remembered you and sent a letter going on about the misadventures of the day, I’d forgotten what the date was, and what it signified.Continue reading “It Seems I Have My Answer”
Between Comedy and Tragedy
Dearest Rachel – It’s been years since I’ve been here at Walker Brothers’ pancake house. I’m pretty sure that the last time we were here (and yes, it was definitely ‘we’ at the time), it was for a similar reason; we had taken my car in to have it looked at. That’s what happens whenContinue reading “Between Comedy and Tragedy”
Palm Tuesday
Dearest Rachel – So, I stayed home yesterday in order to be with Daniel, and to make his day special. Far be it from me to claim that was a mistake; while there were still times that he seemed to need his space – and let me have mine – I think things worked outContinue reading “Palm Tuesday”
Making Sure He’s Remembered
Dearest Rachel – Some days, I find myself focusing on myself – actually, that’s most days. I doubt it’s unique to me. For all that we’re forced to admit to being self-centered and blinkered when it comes to our perspective in life, the fact of the matter is that it’s the only perspective we have.Continue reading “Making Sure He’s Remembered”
Three Last Chances
Dearest Rachel – I have to admit, I woke up yesterday determined to write to you about Father’s Day, and the fact that I felt like I was being ignored during it; Daniel had told me that my mom suggested he go out and get a card for me, which he didn’t get around toContinue reading “Three Last Chances”
from Rachel: My Broken Relationships
Why do you suppose Proverbs says so much about relationships with fools? “Those relationships are the ones that tend to bring the most trouble into a person’s life.” Summarize in one sentence the teaching of the scriptures you just read. “Don’t hang around with fools – their foolishness is more easily transferred than your wisdom.”Continue reading “from Rachel: My Broken Relationships”
How Soon Until We’d Notice?
Dearest Rachel – There’s an old children’s-level joke that asks whether heat or cold is the faster, with the punchline being ‘heat… you can catch cold.’ At the risk of Aunt Florencing the joke (you’ll recall the reference, but I may have to explain this one to everyone else), I remember from even the firstContinue reading “How Soon Until We’d Notice?”
Would You Rather…?
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that, despite the fact that the power is supposed to be shut off again today as the electricians do their work, Daniel will be staying home. It’s not an act of defiance or anything; it’s more one of hospitality. It turns out that, for whatever reason, the water atContinue reading “Would You Rather…?”
Out With the Old
Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the drive down to Nashville and back, I’ve discovered that my iPhone contains a number of songs that I wasn’t really even aware of. When the two of us are listening to them on an infinite random shuffle, it’s interesting to hear something where one of us would comment howContinue reading “Out With the Old”
If You Can’t Take the Heat…
Dearest Rachel – Of course, the standard follow-up to that proposition is that you need to ‘get out of the kitchen.’ That, along with the expression about the buck stopping with him were among the most quotable lines from President Harry Truman (partly because much of what he said had to be sanitized for publicContinue reading “If You Can’t Take the Heat…”
The Old Way Home
Dearest Rachel – For all my talk about taking a different way down here, you might think it’s strange that I return to our normal course of action for the trip home. After all, there’s no more reason for us to leave in a hurry than there was for us to show up down hereContinue reading “The Old Way Home”
The Enchanted Box
Dearest Rachel – It’s the kind of day that makes one not want to head outside. Oh, it’s not raining buckets like it was last year, when I found Chompers on the opposite side of the driveway, toppled over in his wheelchair in the gulley. It’s actually perfectly sunny outside; too much so, in fact.Continue reading “The Enchanted Box”
Infinite Loop
Dearest Rachel – Sometimes it’s ridiculous what my mind comes up with overnight these days. Other times, it just ever so slightly depressing, if only for the fact that it spoils the fantasy. But you being you, you would ask about my dream in any event, and while the details are already starting to fadeContinue reading “Infinite Loop”
from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Leave Me Alone
For what other reasons to women pull back, hide, and want everyone to leave them alone? “Feeling tired and/or overwhelmed – needing some alone time, feeling hurt and vulnerable and therefore fearful of more hurt.” [starred for emphasis] a description of God’s love based on Ephesians 3:18 and John 3:16: The Breadth – For GodContinue reading “from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Leave Me Alone”
A Whole Lot of Nothing Going On
I’m going to do nothing, and I’m going to do it slowly. Leroy ‘Satchel’ Paige, when asked what he planned to do once he retired from baseball Dearest Rachel – It was a quote that my dad always liked to repeat about what he planned on doing with retirement, and it was something that I,Continue reading “A Whole Lot of Nothing Going On”
There’s A First Time For (almost) Everything
Dearest Rachel – So much has changed, even since the last time we drove down to see Kevin. Sure, last year already had so many things different about it, between your departure and Chompers in a wheelchair. But now, the old boy is gone, and suddenly, there is so much more space in the car,Continue reading “There’s A First Time For (almost) Everything”
A Wish For Autonomy
Dearest Rachel – I know I used to joke about how many of their cars we could buy with the shares we owned in the company, but it was always a bit of a concern as to how for one could actually travel in a given day in a Tesla. Really, it’s a disadvantage thatContinue reading “A Wish For Autonomy”
Fig Tree & Vineyard
Dearest Rachel – I know, I know; the title sounds like some cheerful little English pub: “Don’t wait up for me, luv, I’m off to the Figtree & Vineyard for a couple pints and a round a’darts with me mates. Be home when I’ve ’ad enough.” Not the sort of thing you’d ever expect –Continue reading “Fig Tree & Vineyard”
The Peace of C.O.D.
Dearest Rachel – I’d gotten the invoice late last week, and wrote the check out on Monday; I don’t like waiting when it comes to paying bills (back in the day, Dad would consider that a foolish attitude in his mother, but that was back when you could still earn interest on money that youContinue reading “The Peace of C.O.D.”
Judgement Call
Dearest Rachel – “You’re judging me!” I can almost hear the hurt in the voice that I’ve never heard (and will never hear). Whether it’s an act or not, I really couldn’t say; I may not be a cinematic devotee, but I’ve always appreciated an authentic acting performance. The trouble is, while I can doContinue reading “Judgement Call”
Nowhere Near “In Control”
Dearest Rachel – After drifting through a dream in which I could control the flow of events much like the art director from “Duck Amuck” (although rather more violently, as one of the individuals in this dream Twitter video was chucking grenades at whoever was filming it, and I was simply pausing the video toContinue reading “Nowhere Near “In Control””
Matin-tide Prayer
Father God – I know You heard my thoughts while I stood in the shower this morning. I wonder what Your thoughts were in return; were they along the lines of “well, it’s been a while, hasn’t it?” or “where have you been, My son?” as if you didn’t know. Time was, I used toContinue reading “Matin-tide Prayer”
from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Love Me
Anyone else want to join me here? “Yep, I have belonged to the ‘just love me’ club too.” Looks like you agreed with the author that you are conflict-avoidant, risk-averse, and easily pushed (although you preferred the term ‘manipulated,’ for all the difference it made). You did not consider yourself easily-bullied, work-yourself-into-oblivion, or a bigContinue reading “from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Love Me”
Too Much Emptiness
Dearest Rachel – Well, the boys just left for the convention as I got home from Bible study this morning. In fact, they were literally getting into Logan’s car as I reached the driveway, so I went around the block in order to allow him to pull out using the turnaround, rather than forcing themContinue reading “Too Much Emptiness”
Letters to Rachel 