Dearest Rachel – I never got into it with you – you used to watch them while I was at work and Daniel at school – but I know you were into certain varieties of horror for entertainment. I think it reminded you of those days when your Mom was away with one seminar orContinue reading “Can’t Bring Myself to Worry”
Tag Archives: future
Plausible From One Angle
Dearest Rachel – It may not seem like it, since I’ve been able to contact you every day with some news or other, but there’s been a limited amount of stuff going on for me to tell you about. The fact that I can write to you at all has more to do with beingContinue reading “Plausible From One Angle”
The Questions That Go Unasked
Dearest Rachel – This morning – although when it’s this dark, if feels strange to call it such, even if this is just the way things are in the winter – as I got up and braced myself to head out to the gym, it occurred to me that the folks didn’t bother to askContinue reading “The Questions That Go Unasked”
from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity
Please read Revelation 20:1-6 and answer the following questions: Where will Satan be during the thousand-year reign of Christ? “the Abyss” Many people of God will be martyred during the terrible time of tribulation. List everything this segment of Scripture tells you about them. “They had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus (20:4),Continue reading “from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity”
from Rachel: The Everlasting Kingdom
from Rachel: The Everlasting Kingdom – It’s weird, now that you’re already there, to see your comments on what you imagine heaven to be like, and what you most look forward to about it…
from Rachel: Allies and Enemies
…the only women we’ve seen so far were Belshazzar’s wives and concubines, and they contributed little to the character of our gender. “(The queen mother was wise and helpful 5:10)” What does Daniel 11:59 tell you about this woman? “She is the daughter of the king of the South.” Let’s have a quick review andContinue reading “from Rachel: Allies and Enemies”
from Rachel: Set Your Mind
Looking back on your life journey, which season or moment do you most hope God will show you ‘behind the scenes’? “Perhaps the answer to ‘Why me? Why this?’ on various health/accident issues, but I think I’d most like to know about many little moments – brief encounters with people – what became of peopleContinue reading “from Rachel: Set Your Mind”
from Rachel: I Understood from the Scriptures
According to Daniel 7:1, when was the dream of the little horn, the Ancient of Days, and ‘one like a son of man’ given to Daniel? “in the first year of Belshazzar” According to Daniel 8:1, when was the vision of the ram, the goat, and the horn depicting Antiochus IV given to Daniel? “inContinue reading “from Rachel: I Understood from the Scriptures”
from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?
…Glance at the segment on week 7, day 5, then write a brief synopsis of pre-millennialism in this space: “After a seven year tribulation, Christ will return, bind Satan, rule for 1,000 years with the martyred saints, loose Satan, have a final battle, conduct final judgment, and usher in eternity” Please read the following primaryContinue reading “from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?”
from Rachel: Important Distinctions
What questions did I tell you we seek to answer? What is ahead for this “world”? And what part will the “church” play? As we lengthen our eschatological timeline and consider all the players, let’s have a quick and important refresher: to whom are we referring when we speak of the ‘church’? (If necessary, seeContinue reading “from Rachel: Important Distinctions”
It Goes Both Ways
Dearest Rachel – Last night’s dream may have been short on details, but could be considered a source of all manner of speculation, I suppose it’s worth telling you about and getting into such speculation. Besides, as a Whovian yourself, time travel questions were always your jam, in a way – and it’s not asContinue reading “It Goes Both Ways”
from Rachel: A Master of Intrigue
Briefly describe the concept of a dual reference.“One prophecy can foretell both events in the distant future and foreshadowing events in the nearer future.” Before I tell you the meaning of the Greek word translated ‘parable,’ let’s recap yesterday‘s lesson. Based on our previous study, briefly explain why the Old Testament was translated into GreekContinue reading “from Rachel: A Master of Intrigue”
Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts
Dearest Rachel – Imagine, if you will a medieval castle as an opposing army advances against it. Standing among the battlements in defense are squads of archers, preparing to defend the keep against the impending onslaught. As they are stationed several stories up, they have the advantage of the first shot, since their arrows willContinue reading “Don’t Cheer from the Ramparts”
from Rachel: Time, Times and Half a Time
How long does [Daniel 7:25] say the saints will be handed over to this evil king we’ve identified as the Antichrist? “a time, times, and half a time” Strange reference, isn’t it? Thank goodness we have the companion Book of Revelation to offer some clues to its meaning. Please look up the following Scriptures andContinue reading “from Rachel: Time, Times and Half a Time”
from Rachel: Other Names for the Little Horn
How does verse 24 explain the uprooting of the other three horns in verse 8? “The little horn is a new king who will arise and subdue three of the ten existing kings.” Sketch One: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-10. Title: Man of “Lawlessness”Additional information: (Always document Scripture locations) “Before the Day of the Lord (Christ’s return)Continue reading “from Rachel: Other Names for the Little Horn”
from Rachel: The Little Horn
Please read Daniel 7:7-28 carefully and list every fact about the little horn under its proper heading. These ‘successes’ or ‘failures’ may be implied or obvious. Be sure to note the verse locations with each fact. The little horn’s successes:“crushed and devoured its victims (7)“trampled what was left under its feet (7)“was waging war againstContinue reading “from Rachel: The Little Horn”
from Rachel: Daniel’s Interpretation
Read Daniel 2:27-30. Review Daniel’s response to the king when asked if he (Daniel) could describe an interpret his (the king’s) dream. In what ways did Daniel carefully credit God with the revelation? “He basically said no person could do it, but God could do much greater things than any human.” What will happen toContinue reading “from Rachel: Daniel’s Interpretation”
Satisfaction in the Small
Dearest Rachel – There’s an old story, most likely apocryphal, but ordinary and plausible enough to have a grain of truth at its core. When I say “old,” I mean nearly a millennium since it is said to have happened, as a matter of fact; you’ll recognize it as we go along. The story centersContinue reading “Satisfaction in the Small”
Considerations of Timing
Dearest Rachel – I thought it was the wind waking me up this morning around four, like it has been for the last few days. It’s been blowing pretty hard in the mornings, and with it whipping all manner of leaves up throughout the neighborhood, it often sounds like rain against the roof and wallsContinue reading “Considerations of Timing”
Growing the Stone
Dearest Rachel – It’s not the most well-known of Bible stories, but I’m sure that you remember Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of the great statue made of many materials in the second chapter of the book of Daniel; with the head of gold, chest of silver, midsection of bronze, legs of iron, and the original “feet ofContinue reading “Growing the Stone”
Singing Through Clenched Teeth
Dearest Rachel – With the multi-front war going on in the Middle East, it was determined the other Sunday to make the weekly communal moment of prayer about the situation. The thing is, given the fog of war, it’s hard to know what, exactly, to ask God for; aside from the question of the goodContinue reading “Singing Through Clenched Teeth”
from Rachel: God Talks Back
On a scale of 1 to 10, how convinced are you that your prayer time is an honest-to-goodness two-way communication? “10 – how convinced I am“7 – how often it actually is… (or maybe 6?)” If we don’t ‘ask or imagine,’ what does God have to out-do? Glance at the first half of [Psalm 132]Continue reading “from Rachel: God Talks Back”
For the Rest of My Life
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that I remember when I was first prescribed it, but it had to have been within the past decade; at some point after one or another company-ordered physical, I was informed that I had to go on lisinopril for high blood pressure. Not that it seemed to matter; whenContinue reading “For the Rest of My Life”
Pondering This Morning’s Earworm
Dearest Rachel – It seems apropos of absolutely nothing, but that’s pretty much how earworms work; like dreams, they aren’t required – or even expected – to make much sense. And yet, in some ways, it gives one something to think about, even if it’s only the obvious (and somewhat unanswerable, given the previous statement)Continue reading “Pondering This Morning’s Earworm”
Mere Degrees From Artificial
Dearest Rachel – Well, I know you weren’t as into the high-tech toys that computers quite frankly have always been (and increasingly will continue to be) as I was (and always will be, I suspect), although your computer was your own favorite toy for our last ten or so years together. Still, you did haveContinue reading “Mere Degrees From Artificial”
Where Do We Go Now?
Dearest Rachel – For all the mixtapes we sent back-and-forth during the long distance portion of our courtship, neither of us were really on top of the popular music of the day. Most of your stuff came from your parents’ collection that you listened to and liked; if you wanted something more recent, you’d recordContinue reading “Where Do We Go Now?”
I’m So Looking Forward To…
Dearest Rachel – Despite all the things that I’ve been able to enjoy here on the ship for the last three months, there is a lot that I’m looking forward to getting back to. And since my time here is coming to a close, I thought that, rather than bemoaning that fact, I ought toContinue reading “I’m So Looking Forward To…”
from Rachel: Worship on the Way
What does 1 Peter 5:6 say to you? “If I humble myself under God’s mighty hand, He will lift me up when the time is right.” What brings you to this study? “Convenience of schedule. I still have to rearrange a little, but mornings are still much better than evenings. I know I need aContinue reading “from Rachel: Worship on the Way”
Does it Count When You’re Already There?
Dearest Rachel – Mom and Dad would often talk about our first family cruise that we took back in 1999. Dad and his cousin Dennis had helped organize a trip with the entire extended family, a few years prior, and for arranging that much business, when we got to Vancouver, we were upgraded to roomsContinue reading “Does it Count When You’re Already There?”
Snippets for the Future, Nothing for the Now
Dearest Rachel – One of the problems with spending so much of one’s waking thoughts on a big event in the future is that there’s not much thought being put into what’s going on around one in the present. To be sure, it may well be that most people aren’t trying to document their lives likeContinue reading “Snippets for the Future, Nothing for the Now”
The Odd Preparations
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think I’ve completely shaken off Basel Syndrome (which, upon re-reading that letter to you, I was surprised to discover that I’d defined it as more of an irrational preference for staying in my hotel room/cabin rather than going outside of it; whereas now, I think of it as a fearContinue reading “The Odd Preparations”
A Future on This Planet
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t exactly breaking news, as far as today or yesterday goes; it’s been gradually getting to this point over time (albeit a relatively brief period of time). But I submit it to you as further proof of Dad’s improvement with regards to his health; when I’m visiting him, he likes toContinue reading “A Future on This Planet”
Last Christmas
Dearest Rachel – To say that this Christmas was different than most would be a blinding understatement. So perhaps I should go into the ‘why’ and ‘how,’ rather than just settling with a single, over-generalized statement like that. After all, if you look closely enough, every day is different from its fellows, so why wouldn’t one ChristmasContinue reading “Last Christmas”
from Rachel: God’s Daily Rule
Explain why Jeremiah said [in 29:11-13] walking with God is so much wiser and personally fulfilling than asking God to walk with us. “God‘s plans are to prosper us and give us hope and a future.” “Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?” “Blessings, My child, I had for you along theContinue reading “from Rachel: God’s Daily Rule”
Hope Spot
Dearest Rachel – It’s happening again, honey. He’s gone through a low ebb where it basically looks like only a matter of time. And yes, I realize it’s only “a matter of time” for all of us before we join you and everybody else in the hereafter. You know what I mean – at a certain point, there’sContinue reading “Hope Spot”
To Fear the Day Ahead
Dearest Rachel – It’s not yet four in the morning; while, being Friday, I have every intention in my mind to head out and exercise, I’m not ready to do so. And it’s not just because the facility won’t be open for an hour an a half, or that I’m dealing with the usual squabblesContinue reading “To Fear the Day Ahead”
Dealing With the Division
Dearest Rachel – As much as there were mixed emotions involved with our church’s expansion to multiple locations, it didn’t faze us as much as it could have. Sure, we wouldn’t see certain people at the original location on the same weekly basis as we used to, since we were moving over to attend theContinue reading “Dealing With the Division”
The Daruma’s Eye
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure you remember how, whenever we would travel, we would bring home certain souvenirs that were meant to be used or consumed – usually food products, but occasionally something else. We were fully aware of their purpose, and in many cases, that we only had a limited time in which theyContinue reading “The Daruma’s Eye”
from Rachel: To Live Happily Ever After
What has God done in your life that has exceeded anything you had seen, heard or imagined? “He has blessed me with a wonderful husband with a great extended family, a wonderful son, a nice house, parents who are both healthy, and many good friends.” Read Isaiah 61:1-3, and fill in the blanks: “The SpiritContinue reading “from Rachel: To Live Happily Ever After”
His Plans for His People
How odd of God to choose the Jews. William Norman Ewer, British journalist Not odd of God; goyim annoy Him. Leo Rosten, Jewish-American author Not so oddas those who choosea Jewish Godbut spurn the Jews. Cecil Browne, British journalist Dearest Rachel – I sometimes wonder if the Hebrew nation became God’s “peculiar people” because ofContinue reading “His Plans for His People”
Sturdy Grains of Sand
Dearest Rachel – For all I know, this may have escaped your notice back in the day; I certainly couldn’t keep track of your library until I was forced to go through it and determine what could be given away and what I couldn’t part with just yet. But among the many books I broughtContinue reading “Sturdy Grains of Sand”
from Rachel: To Be Beautiful
List the four girlish dreams in our lesson yesterday. Place a check beside each of the dreams you remember having as a little girl. 1. “to be a bride 2. “to be beautiful √3. “to be fruitful 4. “to live happily ever after √” “As a child I knew other children who couldn’t wait toContinue reading “from Rachel: To Be Beautiful”
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”
The Course of a Thousand Days
Dearest Rachel – It’s not as obvious as looking on the calendar and seeing a “23” on it, as happens every month. It probably would have even passed my notice if it weren’t for the fact that I’ve been sending “a line a day when you’re far away,” and the site keeps tabs of howContinue reading “The Course of a Thousand Days”
Picking the Lyrics Apart
Dearest Rachel – I want you to know that I’m not trying to avoid your memory – heck, if I was, would I be writing to you every day like this? – but there’s only so much I can take of going through my offline music library, where I’m guaranteed to encounter one of ‘our’Continue reading “Picking the Lyrics Apart”
from Rachel: The Ancient of Days
Satan can do nothing about our salvation once we have received Christ, so he hopes to handicap us so we won’t be a threat. Based on God’s priority in our lives, what might be Satan’s priority in terms of the lives of people who are already Christians? “Pretty high because Christians are the most likelyContinue reading “from Rachel: The Ancient of Days”
Nineteen-Twenty-Three
Dearest Rachel – I had a dream, it was a mysteryI dreamed of science and of history iDeoLa (Mark Heard), “Is It Any Wonder?” from Tribal Opera (1987) There is a certain item of presidential lore that tells of letters written at some point in time between Election Day and Inauguration Day by the outgoingContinue reading “Nineteen-Twenty-Three”
Data Wants to Know…
Dearest Rachel – Even at this moment, barely half an hour since waking up, I can only remember the setting, the characters and the subject matter of last night’s dream. So, I’m going to have to reconstruct the script based on what I think might have been logical, which, as you’ll soon see, may proveContinue reading “Data Wants to Know…”
A Reach Beyond My Grasp
Dearest Rachel – Were it not for the fact that I assume that the afterlife you’re experiencing is pleasant beyond expression or comprehension, I could easily imagine a rueful chuckle escaping from your lips every time I write to you about my plans for the future. There’s nothing like having an eternal perspective like yoursContinue reading “A Reach Beyond My Grasp”
“When?”
Dearest Rachel – There’s a scene near the beginning of the movie Blazing Saddles which serves as an establishing character moment for Gene Wilder’s Waco Kid. After being offered something for breakfast by Sheriff Bart (and turning it down, claiming “food makes me sick”), he takes yet another long swig from his whiskey bottle, muchContinue reading ““When?””
Only in Fairy Tales
Dearest Rachel – Every so often, someone tells me that “oh, don’t worry; God has someone out there for you.” And, as much as I like hearing that, and I’d like to believe that, I really don’t dare – and I rather wish they would stop (to be fair, it’s tapered off over time, soContinue reading “Only in Fairy Tales”
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”
Too Many Moments, Too Many Left
Dearest Rachel – On the way to the restaurant this morning, where the men’s group was meeting – honestly, you’d think as many would show up for food as study, but we rarely even manage half the crowd of a normal Saturday morning – I was listening to John Ondrasik’s “100 Years” in my car.Continue reading “Too Many Moments, Too Many Left”
All That Matters
Dearest Rachel – One of the peculiar effects (I’m not sure if they should be considered advantages or drawbacks; I’m sure it could go either way, depending on one’s perspective) of my making a point of writing you as soon as I can on any given morning – so as to “get it out ofContinue reading “All That Matters”
Irreplaceable
Dearest Rachel – On the drive to and from camp yesterday, Brian and I (and occasionally Scott, but he’s quieter and more reserved – plus, he was sitting in the rear seat of the truck) did a lot of talking together. Some of the conversation was about the business at hand – the camp andContinue reading “Irreplaceable”
from Rachel: Don’t Run Ahead
Read 2 John 7-9. How does John describe the deceivers in the world?“They’ve gone out into it.”“In the world there are many deceivers” What does John tell us to specifically watch out for? “that we do not lose what we have worked for” What is the positive part of his warning? “that we may (instead)Continue reading “from Rachel: Don’t Run Ahead”
Where Did I Expect to Be?
Dearest Rachel – I don’t have to keep track of the days; I just keep writing to you, and the computer does it for me. Just a few days ago, it sent me a notification, congratulating me on another anniversary on this site. Given what spurred me to start this, I’m not sure that IContinue reading “Where Did I Expect to Be?”
The Fear of Possible Patterns
Dearest Rachel – So… now it’s 2023. Soon, it will have been two years since the accident that took you from us… and in a couple of months, it will have been another two years since your mom’s passing… and yet another two years since your dad, when this all started. I don’t know aboutContinue reading “The Fear of Possible Patterns”
from Rachel: My Favorite Things
Please fill in the blank with the appropriate response. Favorite colors: “purple, then yellow, then green” Favorite type of music: “40’s” Favorite travel destinations: “Middle Bass Island, Ohio; foreign lands – Japan, Italy, Greece” Favorite foods: “BLTs, sweet & sour, crab in alfredo sauce” Favorite desserts: “chocolate anything, cheesecake” Favorite influential people: “C. S. Lewis,Continue reading “from Rachel: My Favorite Things”
Five-Year Plan
Dearest Rachel – I’m gonna preface this later by admitting that I really don’t feel like doing anything today. Even something as small as dictating to Siri feels like a herculean effort. So you’ll understand if it turns out that this letter is rather short. The thing is, however, that it’s the moments that areContinue reading “Five-Year Plan”
How Long Until You Knew?
Dearest Rachel – Just think, it was only yesterday that I was congratulating myself for having reacclimatized to the local time zone. I really should have known better. But last night, I had already woken up once, at three, so I was mildly disgusted with myself about that. At the same time, my head wasContinue reading “How Long Until You Knew?”
Plus Ultra
Dearest Rachel – No, honey, this letter has nothing to do with My Hero Academia, despite that anime making a catchphrase out of this Latin motto. I don’t know enough about the series to comment upon it; I may have been the first otaku in the family, but I know better than to get involvedContinue reading “Plus Ultra”
The Site of Armageddon?
Dearest Rachel – It’s a strange thing to consider; while we’re well aware that the name Armageddon comes from a specific place – the valley of Megiddo, where we are now heading to – it goes against our understanding to think of the end of the world happening in a single specific place. Armageddon seemsContinue reading “The Site of Armageddon?”
Can’t Get Him Out of the House
Dearest Rachel – In a way, I think I’d prefer to talk to you about my dream from last night, but it was so much of a non sequitur that I wouldn’t be able to make much of a story out of it. Basically, it involved my dad and I trying to sell a litterContinue reading “Can’t Get Him Out of the House”
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”
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”
Travelling in Only One Direction
Dearest Rachel – Lars asked me yesterday, as we were walking through the forest preserve by Oakton College and Beck Lake, how much I’ve been telling you about what’s going on in my life. He suggests I not tell you quite as much as I do, if only for the fast that there are otherContinue reading “Travelling in Only One Direction”
Long Term Plans
Dearest Rachel – Well, wouldn’t you know it. Just yesterday, I was saying how I need to be telling you a bit more about Yvonne, and last night, she comes out and asks me some hard questions. So, it looks like I need to talk about her at this point. I will say that timeContinue reading “Long Term Plans”
So Much Nonsense
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what my brain was trying to process last night, but it certainly was working overtime in generating dreams. Mostly, however, the dreams it was creating were both fairly realistic (that is, nothing to psychedelic or dreamscape-y), and at the same time, illogical enough for me to recognize them asContinue reading “So Much Nonsense”
Cleaning Out and Stocking Up
Dearest Rachel – I left the house this morning to the sound of the dishwasher firing up; I stopped at the local wholesale club to fill my tank (despite the high price tag – it’s the first time I’ve ever put $60 worth of gas in the car at one go – because I’m sureContinue reading “Cleaning Out and Stocking Up”
Amid the Ruins of the Pyramid
Dearest Rachel – Today’s sermon was about being friends with Jesus, using John the Baptist as an example. Interestingly, the main passage centered on the point when John was beginning to doubt as to whether Jesus was Who He said He was, even going so far as to send his own disciples to ask Him,Continue reading “Amid the Ruins of the Pyramid”
The Finnish Reindeer Coat
Dearest Rachel – The other day, I saw Mom getting a few old coats out of the cedar closet in their basement (from the room under what used to be my own, back when I was growing up). Admittedly, I didn’t think much of it, but took the moment to fill her in on theContinue reading “The Finnish Reindeer Coat”
Distance and Silence
Dearest Rachel – Sunday mornings are a challenge for me these days. Well, every morning is a bit of a challenge, but the weekend is particularly difficult. While I think I’m starting to get accustomed to the fact that the bed – and the room – are empty apart from myself, and you’re not goingContinue reading “Distance and Silence”
Forecasting Follies
Dearest Rachel – Aside from the fact that I don’t want the responsibility – and cannot fathom why anybody else would – I have certain… ideas… that probably would suggest that I shouldn’t be trusted with the reins of any sort of power. I’m not a big fan of the psychic community, for instance. Personally,Continue reading “Forecasting Follies”
Not Just ‘Someone Else’s Car’
Dearest Rachel – I want to start this letter off by saying there’s nothing more uncomfortable than driving someone else’s car, but that’s not exactly true. I suspect that, given enough time, and pointed where all of the necessary (and some of the extraneous ones, like the sound system) controls are, I can get usedContinue reading “Not Just ‘Someone Else’s Car’”
So… Darned… Close
Dearest Rachel – I’ll give Ruby credit, she’s making the effort to keep in touch with me, contacting me every day while she’s supposedly down in Phoenix with her siblings. She’s also informed me that she’s told her mom (who I guess is down there with her siblings? In which case, shouldn’t she have mentionedContinue reading “So… Darned… Close”
On Being ‘The Grenade’
Dearest Rachel – I’ve spoken to certain people who find themselves amused at some of the stories I tell you about my life lived after you, particularly those having to do with finding a successor to you (if you’d want to call her that). It offers a measure of comfort to me that, if IContinue reading “On Being ‘The Grenade’”
Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part one)
Dearest Rachel – I still remember our first visit to Camp Awana for family camp in the summer of 2019. I hadn’t been there since the fifth or sixth grade, I believe – or maybe it was the just the summer between them. We wandered the length and breadth of the place, discovering it wasContinue reading “Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part one)”
Rich Fools
Dearest Rachel – I will always remember the story that you used to tell about your mom‘s father, who worked for the SEC in its early days. It was a fairly lucrative job as I understand it (working for the government often is), and most of his colleagues were both younger than him, and decidedlyContinue reading “Rich Fools”
A Prayer For Daniel
Father God – First of all, thank You for being willing and desirous for us to call You that. The idea that the Creator of the Universe is willing to consider us His children when we, as a rule, do little more than bring You embarrassment and regret that You even thought to create us,Continue reading “A Prayer For Daniel”
What Was So Important, Anyway?
Dearest Rachel – You might remember how, back when the magazine still existed, I would buy myself a copy of Life at the end of the year as a sort of memory refresher; their “Year in Pictures” issue. This is what happened in the world during the year, the important stuff, the important people, theContinue reading “What Was So Important, Anyway?”
Before I Change My Mind
Dearest Rachel – I keep forgetting whether I’ve told you about this or not. I know I mentioned the possibility, but there are people that I meet that are surprised when I tell them about what I’m about to do. So maybe I haven’t given the specifics to you yet – I can never keepContinue reading “Before I Change My Mind”
Triple Feature
Dearest Rachel – It was so good to see you last night, and so many times, and through so much. If only I could convince anybody that you were there. Everything started off with a rather kinetic, video game feel to it. You and I were trying to get through a maze, and sort ofContinue reading “Triple Feature”
Sport Seats
Dearest Rachel – It’s a well-established fact that dreams, by their very nature, needn’t be expected to make sense. But some dreams are just that much weirder than others. Some have bizarre psychedelic imagery, with swirls of colors more at home in a bad acid trip than restful slumber. Others just construct strange scenarios, withContinue reading “Sport Seats”
Biden My Time
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that you wouldn’t approve, I don’t feel like there’s anything I can do about it. Now that the house has been thoroughly cleaned out, there are so many more rooms Daniel and I can use. And use them we do; except it means that we’re rarely in the same roomContinue reading “Biden My Time”
Steampunk Living
Dearest Rachel – You’ll have to understand, I hadn’t intended to have anyone over today. I left the office early because I needed to drop something off at FedEx (the bank had me sign some papers for the estate) and get a few accessories for my costume on Saturday (the ‘suspicious astronaut’ costume – IContinue reading “Steampunk Living”
Time-Released Time
Dearest Rachel – I think I remember your roommate (and eventual maid of honor) Elizabeth talking about how, when she was young, she would occasionally find herself scared sleepless pondering the concept of eternity. The idea of time going on, and on, and on forever without an end terrified her. What would you do withContinue reading “Time-Released Time”
Paying Down My Sleep Debt
Dearest Rachel – Shortly after getting home from the folks last night, I found myself getting sleepy what we were watching one video or another, and I decided that, rather than heading off to bed at the ridiculously early (even for me) hour of nine p.m., I would simply close my eyes and catch aContinue reading “Paying Down My Sleep Debt”
Spot Macbeth
Dearest Rachel – No, this does not refer to some Shakespearean take on Where’s Waldo, although the idea of Martin Handford drawing a crowd in the Globe Theatre into which the actor portraying the Scottish usurper is trying to blend while being pursued by Macduff and Malcolm makes for an interesting image. Considering Handford’s BritishContinue reading “Spot Macbeth”
Surprises
Dearest Rachel – I’ll tell you, this year thus far has been absolutely full of surprises. Which means that it’s probably a good thing you’re not around to deal with them, as you hated surprises. This was particularly evident when it came to birthdays and holidays – anything having to do with gift-giving. The longContinue reading “Surprises”
When the Veil Pulls Back
Dearest Rachel – I wonder if, at the moment of your passing, you are exposed to all the answers. Does the Lord sees fit to, at the moment which you can no longer do anything about it, release to you the wisdom of the ages, and the minutiae of how His plan is meant toContinue reading “When the Veil Pulls Back”
Wondering if the Chains Will Hold
Dearest Rachel – When I was a little kid, I really wasn’t much for roller coasters. The idea of being spun around and inverted at those dizzying speeds, suspended at heights that, were I to fall from, would undoubtedly kill me (and that was merely the drop itself; never mind the metal mechanisms and trackContinue reading “Wondering if the Chains Will Hold”
Seeing Other People
Dearest Rachel – It’s hard for me to wrap my head around it now, seeing as to how for so many years the two of us would appear in public practically joined at the hip. But in those early days of our relationship, we had, shall we say, “spaces in our togetherness.” In a way,Continue reading “Seeing Other People”
Dreams of Future Passed
Dearest Rachel – To say that the events of the past few years have upended my plans would be rather a gross understatement. Hey, look, kids, check it out – it’s the latest installment of the adventures of Marvel’s newest superhero, Captain Obvious! Or would he be a DC type of character? I don’t know…Continue reading “Dreams of Future Passed”
Culture Is Not Forever
Dearest Rachel – There have been a number of days when I’m literally writing to you at the last minute, standing around waiting for Chompers to do his business, or waiting for him to finally succumb to sleep. And as I wonder what topic to discuss with you, I can think of nothing else toContinue reading “Culture Is Not Forever”
Measuring For The Makeover
Dearest Rachel – I haven’t forgotten that this is the five-month anniversary since your departure. It is going to be a long time (if ever, let’s face it) before I forget about the significance of the twenty-third of the month. What’s interesting about it, is how often I have something going on – and moreContinue reading “Measuring For The Makeover”
Twenty-Eight
Dearest Rachel – Twenty-eight years ago today, I came home from work to find you standing in the bathtub, leaking. I think you had expected your water to break with a single large gush, and that wasn’t happening. But regardless, we had to get you over the hospital right away. You insisted on walking –Continue reading “Twenty-Eight”
Moving On Up
Dearest Rachel – Yes, we’re moving on up, to the upstairs of the split-level section of the house. Unlike the Jeffersons’ theme, I think it’s the south side of our house – I was never particularly good at orientation, and determining direction based on a compass: whatever direction I was facing, I always felt likeContinue reading “Moving On Up”
The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part eight – “Megumi”)
Dearest Rachel – So, now you’re gone. And I’m on my own, still raising Daniel, but essentially alone. And I don’t mind telling you, I hate it. So much so, that I am already seeking God’s will to find somebody new. Not so much as to take your place as… maybe fill the spot youContinue reading “The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part eight – “Megumi”)”
The Middle of the Bed
Dearest Rachel – At home, there’s always something that prevents me from taking up the entirety of the bed. It’s partially a physical question of real estate, where some of your stuff has been lying there. Indeed, I’ve been keeping a couple of your Bible study books there as a reference to flip through andContinue reading “The Middle of the Bed”
Letters to Rachel 