This week I participated in a story telling event at the university where I taught for more than three decades. It is the same place where I earned a bachelors degree, a masters degree, and a doctorate. I earned certificates in teaching and in school psychology. I earned a fellowship in rehabilitation counseling. I worked…
I wrote a speech with sharing it aloud at Gary’s 70th birthday party in mind. The opportunity didn’t arise, and not wanting to interrupt an event Gary had so carefully planned, I didn’t deliver it. Instead I printed the speech and sent it to Gary right after the party. Then, after reading Gary’s Aug. 2…
Pete asked that I write more about my birthday now that the hoopla is over. First, I thought I’d write some random thoughts, things not sorted through nor — in the words of my friend Tom — sat with. Turning 70 is not better than the alternative. It is great all by itself. Sometimes celebrating…
Much of my adult life has been shaped by my thinking, or what approximates thinking in some circumstances. While I appreciate logic, I am not always its greatest adherent. I am a fan of congruence and cohesion, but I also find delight in random, weird thoughts that introduce some serendipity in my life and humor…
This week I received a birthday greeting from a family member. Like all of the others from this relative, the rather expensive card was carefully selected — this one specific to a 70-year-old male — and simply signed with their name. There was no preface to the card nor a closing to personalize it. I…
One would think that the guy who is marking his 70th by spilling the beans, openly writing about death, sex, and money, could be a bit less precious about discussing money. A few days ago, I wrote, I had intended this week to actually say the dollar amount I have given, but I am still…
I was well into musing about what I would write today when I realized that some who read my posts may feel a need for reassurance. This piece is about death. I am fine. Although I like to joke that by the time Mozart was my age he had been dead for 35 years (Brahms…
Fifty-five years ago I was in a friary, preparing to join a religious order. During my time there, immediately after the Second Vatican Council, we still maintained many of the old ways of the Order. You could join at age 13, for example. We observed the Hours of prayer (Matins, Lauds, Prime, Sext, Terse, etc.).…
As I do the countdown to my 70th birthday, I am reminded of how little we talk about death, sex, or money. Over the course of the past year, I have mentioned these relatively taboo topics to many friends. For some, the exchange gets eerily quiet or muted. I think my friend Frank might have…
This month I will be turning 70 years old. When I turned 50, I decided to prepare for the date by celebrating each month prior to the actual date. After all, I reasoned, I experienced my 50th August 11 months before I experienced my 50th July. These early celebrations put the actual day into a new…
Creating Community for Everyone 