In the Twinkling of an Eye - a Column by Joe MacDonald

With all of the talk about COVID-19 vaccinations being right around the corner, I cannot help but feel like I can finally breathe. Hopefully, at this time next year the world will look back on the year past and proclaim, “We are free at last!” Life may return to normal,…

Before having children, my definition of a season of life did not contain color. Everything appeared black and white. If there was a medical issue, it lasted for a little while and soon passed. Nothing remained for long. The most significant medical problem I faced was when I broke my…

Let’s face it. This year contains one struggle after another. We continue to ask the same questions: “How do we beat this virus? Will I continue to be insured during layoffs? How will I afford quality care for my loved one in the middle of political, medical, and economic turmoil?”…

We all live according to life lessons. Not every way by which we govern our lives proves useful or affirming, but the lessons still unknowingly exist. My goal is to identify the negative patterns that I relate to the world and change them so that my actions match my desired…

One day, my youngest son, whom we affectionately call “MacDonald the Younger,” and I flew to a hemophilia conference. He could not wait to see old friends, and I could not wait to gather with my tribe and learn about advancements in treatments for those with bleeding disorders. My…

Early in the life of our son “MacDonald the Elder,” we came face to face with one of our first major medical decisions: deciding which factor product to infuse. By the time our firstborn was 2, we had chosen our hematologist, survived a first bleed, and taken a trip…

I love the months of October and November. Leaves change colors, and the air is crisp and cool. It also is the season when we take a moment to count our blessings. I am referring to the things that bring us joy. Sometimes in our chaos with chronic illness, we…

Wouldn’t it have been nice to receive an instruction manual when first diagnosed? The doctor might share a blueprint, surefire way of raising a child with a bleeding disorder: “Follow this when this happens, and all will be fine.” Those who manage chronic illnesses know full well that there…

Life in the hospital can overwhelm us and leave us beaten down, as if we fought a war to end all wars. We exist by preparing for the next nurse, technician, or doctor to enter the room to check on our loved one. In our case, “MacDonald the Younger” suffered…

I will never forget the night I was ordained as an elder in full connection in the United Methodist Church. We were about three and a half hours away from home at a church in the small town of Clovis, New Mexico. My ordination took place at the close…