Thoughts from My Corner of the World
Vickie celebrated her 71st birthday a while ago. Wouldn't the medical prophets from the past be surprised to discover how wrong they were in calculating the length of her life. I read somewhere that living-things thrive to continue to be alive. The will to live is a powerful force. A month before her birthday I... Continue Reading →
Playing House The milk separator was spinning and loudly clanking in the corner of the room doing its magic: separating the rich, delicious cream from the milk. The watery substance left behind (sold in today’s market as skim milk) was tossed out to the pigs. Vickie and I were playing house. I was six or... Continue Reading →
Bad theology keeps us up at night! I've spent years sorting through the reasons given for suffering. Several years ago I wrote briefly about what I called a child-like theodicy. I described how my older, disabled sister and I tried to make sense out of why she was born with cerebral palsy. We knew in... Continue Reading →
What do you see? "See it," she asked in an excited voice, bubbling with glee! "See what?" I asked, quickly scanning the small screen on my phone for clues. I noticed her silver cup in the blue, cleverly designed swivel device. Years ago when she first moved into this new facility she was too shy... Continue Reading →
Unexpected Changes Let's leave the 60s behind and fast forward to the year 2000, the start of a new century. So much had taken place in our family and in both of our lives in the decades leading up to this story. Those stories are waiting to be told. Here is a quick summary of... Continue Reading →
The Basement A little earlier this morning my sister called and asked what I was doing. I was reluctant to share that I was writing this piece for my blog, but then changed my mind. I flipped my phone camera towards my laptop to show her the photo of her baptism displayed on the screen.... Continue Reading →
Who Defines Normal? I am surprised in my study on disabilities by the prevailing claim that those who desire health, healing, and independence for their disabled loved ones just might be members of a cult of normalcy. Maybe you're familiar with this cult, or know friends who are trapped in it, and desire a way... Continue Reading →
Milking Time I pushed back my laptop so she could see the opened notebook and pen in my hand. “Ok, I'm ready. What is your first story?" "Barn." "Me watch dad milk cows!" It took me by surprise how easily she recounted an event from over sixty years ago. Clearly this was an enjoyable memory... Continue Reading →
Telling Stories. In my last post, A Worthy Life, I wrote about my desire to write my sister Vickie's story -- of her long life from a wheelchair. As soon as I uploaded to my blog, several questions began to swirl in my head. Who has the right to tell our stories?Do I have the... Continue Reading →
From my earliest memories I have maintained a deep and intimate relationship with the Creator of this grand universe and have spent many years coming to understand how God moves and works in my life. My own identity is inextricably linked to my severely, disabled older sister. She and I shared a bedroom. Frequently in... Continue Reading →