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June 16

Monday, June 16th, 2025

Where do I start this morning? So much happened and is happening. So much to say but not sure how to or what to. I’ll start with the great, go to the good, and then finish with the heartbreak. 

First, the great. Today, June 16th, is my 52nd anniversary. In June of 1973 we were two soon-to-be-seniors in college. I pursuing and B.S. in Pastoral Ministry and Jo pursuing (so her mother jokingly said) her Mrs Degree. It wasn’t true, of course. Jo had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. She has stayed out a year after graduating from high school and worked at McDonald’s in Sandusky, OH. It was at the beginning of the causeway entrance to Cedar Point and there were no seats for inside dining. Yeah…it was that long ago. 🙂 We had our first date as freshman near the end of the school year after spending that whole school year with about 8 others exploring caves, eating pizza, and just hanging out together. I wish I could say that date turned out well. It didn’t. But eventually the ship was righted and we got married between our junior and senior year. We have been to a lot of churches (8 in all), with the one I’m currently serving for the last 19+ years. We have also seen a lot of water under the bridge-both good and bad. She recently said she would do it all again. Guess I must have done something right. 🙂

Second, the good. Last week we had a chance to watch our grandson play baseball and have 2 exceptional games. The third game he pinch ran for someone because the coach wanted to give some other guys a chance to play. We have one more chance to watch him play in July before he attends Ohio State this Fall. 

Third, is the heartbreak. We were sleeping Friday night when I got a phone call about someone who was thought to be in an accident. After making a call to the local Sheriff (I am the chaplain for the department) it was confirmed that she did, in fact, lose her life in a two-car head on collision. The young lady’s family is like family to us and so after a fitful night’s sleep, we made our way home on Saturday. Nothing prepares you for the heartache of losing someone you love-whether sudden like this or slowly. No cliches are fitting (or should be said). The hope I and others have is she was a follower of Christ. Her mom sent a poem she wrote (I don’t know when) where she talked about the better eternity (heaven). It was a moving poem, one I wish others could hear. Maybe some day, with her mom’s permission, I can post it here. No witnesses. No survivors. We may never know what happened. But the ONE who knows all, and the ONE who held her hand at the end, welcomed her into His presence.  I kept thinking: “Man knows not his time.” 

Life is like a box of chocolates, as Forrest Gump used to say. Full of surprises, twists and turns. I experienced that this weekend. Thanks for listening. 

June 17

Monday, June 17th, 2024

This past weekend was one of milestones for me. Three to be exact. I’ll go from Good, to Better, to Best.

Milestone #1– Although mostly meaningless to many of you, I reached my first 20 mile ride of the season. I have slowly been building my mileage throughout this season, although it has never been this late when I have hit this marker. But life happens. A tsunami-like work schedule, weird weather (so far lots of rain), family commitments, knee issues and age (71) have all played havoc with my riding routine. It got so bad that I even road one morning this past week in 40 degree weather! I slightly under-dressed for that one and got back to the office with my hands not working very well (I couldn’t move them).  This past Saturday I hit the 20 mile marker. It was a pretty good day for a ride. Hot (which I like) and a tad bit windy. But I survived. 🙂

Milestone #2– Father’s Day. 49 years ago and 44 years (almost 45) ago, I became a father. Tami and Janna have been the two blessings in my life I would never want to have been without. And then Janna blessed me with being a grandfather almost 18 years ago (October). Braden has been a highlight of my time here on earth. I realize not all can say the same about their children and grandchildren, but I thank God every day for these three gifts God gave me.

Milestone #3– This one is THE highlight of my milestones, the coup de grace of blessings. June 16, 1973 is when Jo and I were married. So yesterday, June 16th, was our 51st anniversary. We have been through a lot; have had our share of ups and downs; moved when we didn’t want to and moved when we did; celebrated the highlights and mourned the low-lights (the death of our parents for one); and we did it together. People find it incredible when I say we have never had an argument, but then I remind them we have had lots of quiet nights. 🙂  She has hopefully seen the transformation of an arrogant, opinionated,  know-it-all into a man whose heart beats with love for God and for the people He has entrusted to me in my role as pastor/shepherd. At 71 I still have a passion for my work and want to continue doing this until God says, “Enough.”  But more than that I want to be known as a man who loved His God first and foremost, loved his children, loved his grandson, loved the church he is now serving, but most of all, loved his wife and was an example of a godly husband, father, grandfather, pastor and man. 

Will there be more milestones? I certainly hope so. But only the Father knows (and He ain’t telling). Meanwhile, I want to live my life with purpose and meaning and to live it well.

June 13

Tuesday, June 13th, 2023

Milestones are important. To remember. To acknowledge. To celebrate. This Friday, I hit a milestone-the BIG 5-0!

The Big 5-0? “You turn 50 on Friday?” I wish. Sadly, that ship has sailed 20+ years ago. You do the math.  Red letter date is October 9, 1952. So…no…not age 50.

The Big 5-0? “Your nest egg?” Again, sadly, No. Let’s just say I cannot retire (not that I want to).

The Big 5-0? “You have lost that much weight?” No. At 6’5″ I’m comfortable at the 210-215 range, especially since I lift weights as well as ride a bike. I lost 48 pounds once as a result of COVID back in late 2020/early 2021 and looked like a skeleton. I tell people it was the first time in years I had defined, washboard abs (or close to that), so there was one good thing. I’m also minus a gall bladder.  🙂

The Big 5-0? “You have been in ministry that long?” Close but no cigar. I have been preaching or in some form of ministry for 51 years, and will been an “official 50” this coming April 13, 2024 (my late mother’s birthday).

Still in suspense? Let me give you a clue: June 16, 1973. That should be a dead giveaway.

That was the sweltering hot, stuffy-in-the-church-with-no-air conditioning-day that Jo and I said, “I do” to each other. The greatest step I ever made was saying Yes to Jesus. The second greatest was that day 50 years ago. Jo has been through a lot over the years. Multiple churches, some ending badly.  With never a moment’s hesitation, she was ready to pack up and leave whenever we needed to and wherever we were called to. She has made our house a home, often playing mom and dad when her foolish husband thought it was more important to be doing church work than staying at home. (She did let me know when I was going too many nights in a row. Still does). We have been blessed with two amazing daughters; one fantastic grandson; friends we can’t count; and now a church I love and have served for almost 18 years (this November).

I am who I am because of God’s love, grace, patience and work in my life.  I am also who I am because of the love of a good woman. I am blessed beyond imagination.

This will my last post for this week. We plan to leave Wednesday morning (tomorrow)  for Ohio to visit our daughter and grandson. Wednesday night Mike, Janna’s significant other, plays a softball game, and we have yet to watch him play this summer. Braden plays 2 baseball games on Thursday and one on Friday. It may be our only time to see him play this summer since my summer has been drastically altered by a significant event. Friday night we hope to have a nice supper with the Ohio clan. As we laid in bed the other night I asked her if that was sufficient for an anniversary present. I knew what she would say since she adores our grandson and loves to watch him play ball. It was just another time where she showed me how special of a woman she is. No fanfare. No jewelry. No hype. No luxury hotel suite or trip is as important to her as spending time with me and the ones she loves.  WIN! No. BIG WIN!!

I’ll be back Monday morning with a new post.