Remembering Papa

Thirty years ago today, my grandfather — Papa, passed away.   I think about him especially between Christmas and January 19th because I remember the last December.  He was at Emory Hospital in December 1980.  I remember the drive; I-75 to I-20 — Exit Memorial Drive — North to Briarcliff and a right on the By [...]

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Snow Days

I am enjoying day #2 of “Ice Jam 2011″ in Atlanta.  They have made references to “Snow Jam 1982.”  Really, it is only here in the South that our Winter storms are worthy of naming — their rarity granting them this special privilege.  I recall the Snow Jam ’82 — I was a Senior in [...]

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Dental Loss

I checked my email on Friday morning, before heading out the door   — my dad had forwarded sad news — a link to an obituary.  My beloved childhood dentist passed on Thursday, April 15th — before sunset — he was 70.  We called him “Dr. Bob” — short for Robert.   I expected to check [...]

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Touched By An Angel

Come let us worship the Lord in the company of his angels… – Liturgy of the Hours – Sept 29 Feast of the Archangels As I’m writing this, tomorrow is the Feast of the Archangels; Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.  I was a big fan of the television series, Touched By An Angel.   The Christian bookstore [...]

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Wave Watching

I vacationed in St. Augustine Florida last week.  I dedicated one day to sit on the beach and set up my umbrella and chairs.   The beach is a place where I feel the greatness of God.  Standing on the beach, I become a tiny grain of sand.  I feel that God is in control and [...]

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Good Friday – Behold the Wood

 I wrote the below after attending Good Friday services at my parish in 2001.  I was on the front pew and watched as everyone processed forward to venerate the cross.  The only music playing was a cello.   BEHOLD THE WOOD   Oh did you know? Yes, you must have known. Exactly the hour. The [...]

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Holy Land Pilgrim Journal Day 6

Continuing with Day 6 of excerpts from my February 2000 Jubilee year Holy Land pilgrimage journal. Day 6 – Sunday, 2/20/2000 – Old Jerusalem/Wailing Wall/Holocaust Museum/Ein Karem Our day started with a visit to the Temple Mount and Wailing Wall.  Shoeless, we visit Al-Asqa, the Dome of the Rock.  At the Wailing Wall, I am able [...]

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Ash Wednesday Reflection

I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead; I am like a shattered dish. Psalm 31:13 A pot lies broken in the sand.  It is discarded—scattered pieces with jagged edges strewn without care.  The Master comes upon them—40 days gone by—returning from prayer.  He bends to examine the broken pieces and begins to pick [...]

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A Holy Land Pilgrim Arrives – Day 1

On February 14, 2000, I boarded a plane for the Holy Land – a Jubilee year pilgrimage led by a priest from my parish.  Never in my life would I imagine making such a trip.   While there, I kept a daily journal of my experiences.   Beginning today through Palm Sunday, my weekly post will [...]

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