Goodbye, Jaya

Three months ago, I got word that my friend Jaya died suddenly. As I’ve spent time pondering the sad space that has opened up, I’ve come to realize the amazing impact his simple invitation twenty-three years ago had on the trajectory of my life.

Letting Her Worship Her Way…

With all of her cognitive delays, I have often wondered if Julia truly understands that there is a God who created her and loves her. I got a relieving bit of clarity as I watched her connect at tonight’s Good Friday service.

Christmas Greetings

A reflection on the hope of Christmas revealed itself in the last seconds of a middle school girls’ basketball game, and some in our community (myself included) may never be the same.

Little Silhouettes

It’s Labor Day Weekend and the whole neighborhood is taking in the last days of summer. In a moment like this, it’s important to celebrate the beauty of it all. But I experienced something in community tonight that made me want to celebrate all the more…

The Day I Doubted Would Come…

Julia’s graduation from fifth grade is the fulfillment of a lot of hard work and dedication by a lot of people. But I had wondered early on if it would ever happen. Those fears – and the fears of the future – were answered in a peculiar way.

Reading, Writing & The Art of Human Kindness

It’s World Down Syndrome Day! For all of Julia’s delays and the hard work that is required to come to terms with it, there is beauty that she excels at that needs celebration right along with reading, writing and arithmetic.

One Year Later…

I asked one question about the state of American politics a year ago and it turned into kind of a mess. Here are some thoughts a year later…

Christmas Greetings

Another strange Christmas filled with uncertainty – and in our local community, deep anguish. But what does the hope of the season offer us and how do receive it?