From my peripheral I noticed someone leaning across the isle of the airplane. I turned to see a woman looking at the Bible on my lap. “How do you do it,” she asked? “Do what?” I responded, blinking into focus this unexpected intrusion. “You must love to do that, study I mean.” “Yea,” I admitted….
Candlewicks
Light will close its eyes today, And children like candlewicks Burned too low, will cease their play Crawl on hands and knees, Stretch arms and beg….’please;’ Up, up upon a chair, To be hugged at daddy’s side. Angels who creep on tiptoe Silently clamor for a peek, Stumble and laugh, filling empty spaces; Gently brush…
Lean…Splash…Grumble!
Resolutions and sunfish sailboats have common frustrations. Both are nearly impossible when the wind blows contrary. Even with a steady breeze, whenever I’ve tried to skipper a sunfish, the sail collects more water than wind. I push the rudder down, hoping it will magically correct over compensation, only to watch the sail tilt too steeply…then splash!…
Abdullah, my Friend I Never Knew
My friend and neighbor, Abdullah passed away last week. The email bearing the sad news said he had been in the hospital for a couple weeks before succumbing to leukemia. He died a lot like he lived, with a lot of dignity. He was the first person I met on Hancock Street, and literally the last…
No-Pause People
No-pause people! You know what I mean. The kind of people who say, “ready, fire, aim!” They drive to the basket, never dishing the ball, full body contact people, who take the hill, while others ponder it. They are impulsive, or repulsive depending on your mood, with a whole lot of unpredictable thrown in for good…
Hand Signals
“Tomorrow, when you spot a young person, move next to them, and be friendly. Watch what I will do!’ It was a winter evening in the attic. Cold like a meat locker. Bundled up in a comforter, I watched my breath rise like steam off a city street. A candle flickered in front of me,…
Going Fishing With Dad
People tell me I have a gift for evangelism. I’m not so sure, being an introvert and all, but I do know how much I love it, and want to stay bold doing it. For me it’s about watching God open eyes, and seeing His power overcome the most stubborn heart. It reminds me how…
Daring to Live in God’s Wake
My brother JoJo approached life full throttle, and most of the time I was right behind him. But not every time! One day while riding our motorcycles through a farmer’s field, he pointed to a high mound of dirt in the distance and shouted over the engines, “come on, lets do a wheelie off that…
Lap Time With Dad
“Ruk” “No, Kevin, it’s “t”ruk.” “Ruk” “Listen very carefully….T.t.t.t.t…ruk” “Ruk” “Can you say “T.?” “T” “Good, good, now “truck.” “Ruk” My father was a patient teacher. There on his lap, up in the ‘’off limits’ living area where my parents entertained guests. Sitting wide eyed, listening to him coach me in my diction. I was…
First Kiss
My first kiss was with Brenda, at Regina Vaccaro’s seventh grade party. Little did I know, my brother JoJo watched us, steaming mad. Even then he was in love with her. He and Brenda were married right out of high school. Four days after that kiss I was a bachelor again. Not only because of…
Dear ‘Jeremiah,’
It didn’t surprise me that you asked my advice during our final meeting. You’re teachable, which I pray you never lose. While I mulled your question, I looked into your eyes. Some call them windows, and if so then God has used a squeegee on yours. I saw nothing but clarity, nothing but expectation and…
To Sir, with love 