I share the 9/11 story of myself and my childhood best friend, Mike, every year. It’s an incredible story of baseball, beer, and friendship. In 2016, our story went viral when by was told by Mike Rowe on his popular podcast, “The Way I Heard It”. The episode was called “You Don’t Know Mike”. Back in 2001, I … Continue reading Never Forget 9/11/01
Turtles at Poipu Beach, Kauai It’s been nearly a year since I was diagnosed with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). Since then, I have learned a lot.ILD is a broad term for a group of disorders that have progressive scarring of the lungs. There is no cure for ILD. When I was first diagnosed, much of … Continue reading Finding Focus Through the Setbacks
A year ago this week, my book, Shake Yourself Free, was published by Sastrugi Press. I spent five years painstakingly working on this book (entirely prior to 9:00 AM each day). I put my complete heart and soul into it. To have it published and shared with the world is without a doubt one of my proudest moments, both … Continue reading Shake Yourself Free’s 1st Anniversary
I sat down early this peaceful morning like I do most mornings, with the intention of spending time on the book that I am focusing on finishing. But my thoughts keep shifting to the specifics of it being June 13th, so I decided to write a short blog entry instead. I marvel at time. How … Continue reading JUNE 13th
27 years.Half of our lives.We became the best of friends in California.Fell in love in Kentucky.Were married in Nevada.Started our married life & family in Kentucky.Established roots & raised our boys in Arizona.Times that challenged us in Idaho/Wyoming.To settle back down with a whole lot of gratitude in Arizona.2 sons9 different addresses5 dogs…as well as … Continue reading 27 years #blessed
SISTERSDina, left, with Shelly (2002) As well acquainted as I am with grief, I’ve been blessed not to lose anyone close to me too soon since I lost my fiancé, Dana, thirty years ago. I’m an only child, and my wife Shelly has just one sibling, her older sister Dina. After painfully struggling for a … Continue reading Have A Blessed Day
Continuing to inch closer to completing my book, this morning I was working on a particular point in time that was a crucial point in my journey. My visit to Dana's room after 24 years pulled so much together in giving me the grace for some much needed peace. The writing of this visit was … Continue reading Revisiting the Upstairs Room
In December "Elephant Journal" asked me to update "My Story" by diving deeper into some of the lessons that I have learned. They published my updated version (here); which I am also posting below. Thank you for reading 🙂 "Time heals all wounds" is a phrase that we all hear often. Living with a significant loss … Continue reading Never Married but Still a Widower: Finding Gratitude Years after my Girlfriend’s Death.
A couple of months ago I received an Instagram message from a page called “Snapshots of Life After Loss”. It simply said, “Hi, I just read your story on your blog. Wow. Thank you for sharing your story”. From there we began a correspondence. Gracelyn explained that she ran a company called “The Luna Peak … Continue reading A Chance To Talk
It always starts in October. I can smell and taste it in the air. The dread, anxiety and anticipation of early November starts to loom. The older I get I am always amazed how quickly it seems to come around. It's been 28 years now. Twenty-eight years since my life was turned upside down by … Continue reading This Time of Year
Ten Thousand Days 