Years ago while I was in grad school, I remember a professor mentioning how much midlife (he was in his 40’s)was an upheaval moment filled with tension, frustration and chasing after wind, but once you enter your fifties (his example was a colleague who had reached 55), life gets a little smoother.  I have often thought about that conversation as I have entered this time of life.  Today it finally made sense. I was with a group of parents and their sons and daughters in Quito Ecuador at a home for kids with cerebral palsy who had been abandoned.  As a few of us huddled...

Years ago while I was in grad school, I remember a professor mentioning how much midlife (he was in his 40’s)was an upheaval moment filled with tension, frustration and chasing after wind, but once you enter your fifties (his example was a colleague who had reached 55), life gets a little smoother.  I have often thought about that conversation as I have entered this time of life.  Today it finally made sense. I was with a group of parents and their sons and daughters in Quito Ecuador at a home for kids with cerebral palsy who had been abandoned.  As a few of us huddled...

I have heard that commercial for credit cards often.  The actor challenges us about some aspect of our lives, what we purchase and how we pay for it. Then asks us if we have the right card in order to have the power to purchase something on credit by asking us “What’s in your wallet?” I have been pondering that whole concept.  My wallet contains so much that in many ways defines who I am.  I have an assortment of items that are used often that speak loudly of who I am or who I wish I was.  I have credit cards that allow me to purchase things I cannot...

I have heard that commercial for credit cards often.  The actor challenges us about some aspect of our lives, what we purchase and how we pay for it. Then asks us if we have the right card in order to have the power to purchase something on credit by asking us “What’s in your wallet?” I have been pondering that whole concept.  My wallet contains so much that in many ways defines who I am.  I have an assortment of items that are used often that speak loudly of who I am or who I wish I was.  I have credit cards that allow me to purchase things I cannot...

I recently took my five year old grandson on a four day adventure to northern Ohio to visit my parents and garner a truckload of fine maple wood to make bowls. The two of us guys drove 9 hours to reach our destination and carried on a conversation for the entire 9 hour trip.  (Every man should do this at least once in his life, to carry on a conversation for 9 hours with a five year old.  Quite an experience.). Once we arrived at my parents home we went about our work of cutting up several very large maple trees and creating a very large pile of sawdust.  As I wielded the...

I recently took my five year old grandson on a four day adventure to northern Ohio to visit my parents and garner a truckload of fine maple wood to make bowls. The two of us guys drove 9 hours to reach our destination and carried on a conversation for the entire 9 hour trip.  (Every man should do this at least once in his life, to carry on a conversation for 9 hours with a five year old.  Quite an experience.). Once we arrived at my parents home we went about our work of cutting up several very large maple trees and creating a very large pile of sawdust.  As I wielded the...