Dearest Rachel – So yesterday was our last day of actual work. Today, we’ll be on what they refer to as an ‘adventure day’; another nod to the ‘volun-tourism’ concept we discussed the other day. But with my work as an educator over with, this last day was spent doing manual labor – which, toContinue reading “Set in Concrete”
Tag Archives: ashes
Maybe We Don’t WANT Closure
Dearest Rachel – Happy fifty-fifth birthday, honey. This is it; the day we set you adrift the way you wanted to be. This is why we’re here – right down to why we’ve waited so long – we wanted to make sure your closest friends were here to share this moment. Given how long it’sContinue reading “Maybe We Don’t WANT Closure”
One Final Trip (part four)
Dearest Rachel – It’s annoying to get reminders of things you need to do at the most inappropriate and inconvenient times. I spent Sunday morning in the audio-visual booth, listening to a sermon entitled ‘Roadtrip’ (about the conversation on the road to Emmaus – it was the week right after Easter, you understand), and foundContinue reading “One Final Trip (part four)”
Leaving You Behind (by Accident)
Dearest Rachel – It’s probably that much worse to be having to admit this to you on an anniversary date – in this case, the fifty-first month since your departure – but this is the way things happen (to say nothing of the timing of my finding out). Considering where it happened, it could atContinue reading “Leaving You Behind (by Accident)”
One Final Trip (part 3)
Dearest Rachel – Now that the busyness of the Easter weekend is in the rear view mirror, I have to get on with things regarding our (and I do mean our; you’re coming along with. In fact, you’re the reason we’re even doing this, after all) trip to the island. I’ve gotten a confirmation fromContinue reading “One Final Trip (part 3)”
As Early As I Can
Dearest Rachel – After several stops in a row where I’ve been running late (or at least running out of time), I’m getting an early start on the day. I set my alarm for this morning, which you’d think you’d never have to do when you’re on vacation, but there you go. Sometimes you haveContinue reading “As Early As I Can”
You Only Get the One Chance
Dearest Rachel – It’s Thursday morning in Hong Kong, and it doesn’t look much better than it did yesterday, to be honest. Now, in fairness, this isn’t Hong Kong‘s fault; there’s nothing that can be done about the weather, and in any case, at least it’s not raining. So going out into this shouldn’t beContinue reading “You Only Get the One Chance”
Another One Rides the Bus
Dearest Rachel – I will freely admit, honey, that, since we were going to be staying in Honolulu overnight, I was hoping to do what I could to get out and see the nightlife. Even though dancing and clubbing aren’t generally ‘my thing,’ how often do I get the chance to do this? Those plansContinue reading “Another One Rides the Bus”
The Pilgrimage
Dearest Rachel – The plane trip was uneventful, which is just the way it’s supposed to be. After touching down at LAX and collecting my bags (they showed up one right after the other, so that was convenient), I concluded that I’d need to summon an Uber to get me to the hotel. It’s a littleContinue reading “The Pilgrimage”
Of Salt Cellars and Selfie Sticks
Dearest Rachel – I realize I’m not the easiest person to shop for, in terms of Christmas presents. It’s even worse when I come up with ideas that are either too late or too esoteric (or both) to hunt down in time. But sometimes, that’s what happens; I come up with an idea long after I should,Continue reading “Of Salt Cellars and Selfie Sticks”
Jealous Of Your Ghost
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been showing your ring around to certain people lately (in fairness, I’m not sure that photographs, despite being able to show it at a magnified level, can do the image justice, so as many as can see it in person, the better). Most of them are reasonably impressed by it, butContinue reading “Jealous Of Your Ghost”
from Rachel: Ashes Instead of Honor
This week’s memory verse is Isaiah 61:3 “‘And provide for those who grieve in Zion to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of theContinue reading “from Rachel: Ashes Instead of Honor”
Holding My Hand Again
Dearest Rachel – It’s turning into a rather busy day, despite the fact that I took the day off from the ‘office.’ To be sure, the reasons I did would provide fodder for two whole other letters already. The first, of course, being the fact that we were to sat one final goodbye to Kevin,Continue reading “Holding My Hand Again”
It’s Only Carbon…
Dearest Rachel – The day before your memorial service, Jenn and Lars drove me up to the Milwaukee funeral home where your body had been transported after I had authorized the plug to be pulled on you, and you were declared dead. They were the nearest place that did cremations, and it would be cheaper,Continue reading “It’s Only Carbon…”
The Unboxing… and Reboxing
Dearest Rachel – Admittedly, it sounds like one of those things from ‘Scenes From A Hat’ on Whose Line Is It, Anyway? But hey, here goes… “Hi, and welcome to my unboxing video!” Yeah, it sounds wrong in that context, doesn’t it? But here we are. I’ve gotten, supposedly, a kit for me to collectContinue reading “The Unboxing… and Reboxing”
The Sands of Ho-Na-Lee
Dearest Rachel – There are some days, darling, when I admit that there isn’t much to write to you about. Nothing much is happening, I don’t find myself inspired, and I find myself forcing myself – rather against Jan’s advice – to send you something simply for the sake of sending you something. This isn’tContinue reading “The Sands of Ho-Na-Lee”
Letters to Rachel 