In the Twinkling of an Eye
— Joe MacDonald

My oldest son, Julian, is preparing for a big audition. He hopes the casting director will hear his submission and ask him to go to New York for a final, on-site callback. If the powers that be select him, he’ll perform in his first national touring production. My son displayed…

Over the next few weeks, I’m taking a short sabbatical. I realized I needed time to regroup, rest, and renew my spirit. Little triggers that crept into my brain warned me I needed to care for myself. Failure to adhere to these warning signs often leaves me angry,…

On Tuesday morning of last week, as I sat at my desk sifting through emails and attempting to plan my afternoon, my phone rang. I saw it was Julian, my oldest son, so I picked up the phone and steadied myself for our usual late-morning chat. I said hello in…

Recently, I came across an old DVD recording of a Fourth of July celebration on a hot summer day in Baytown, Texas. Many families had gathered on blankets and lawn chairs to celebrate with one another and watch the evening’s entertainment. The first star of the production was…

In middle school, I faced bullies just about every day. I often experienced physical violence during the three years I attended what was then called Burbank Junior High School in Houston. The beatings occurred so frequently that my speech teacher allowed me to stay in her class and…

When it came time to teach my oldest son, Julian, how to shave, I chickened out. The thought of putting a razor blade on his face terrified me. I lived with an unsupported fear that I’d instruct him poorly and a cut might unleash a river of blood. I…

Last Friday, my youngest son, Caeleb, finished the first week of his final year in high school. He’s a mighty senior ready to conquer the world with his incredible artistic abilities. Growing up, my son experienced hemophilia-related medical issues that most people could never imagine. I think of his…

Several of my recent columns centered on my frustration with hemophilia entering my sons’ lives at the most unexpected times. I wrote about some extraordinary moments we shared that, in the twinkling of an eye, were interrupted by an unforeseen health complication. A sense of failure would…

My youngest son, Caeleb, and I made the 500-mile journey from our home in New Mexico to Alpine, Texas, last weekend to see my oldest son, Julian, in his professional theater debut. We drove there on Friday evening and returned on Saturday; on Sunday morning, I had to summon…

Oh, my goodness! My youngest son, Caeleb, is preparing for a wonderful senior year of high school. It seems like yesterday my wife and I carried him home from the hospital as a baby and dove into uncharted waters regarding his hemophilia diagnosis. So far in my son’s…

Last Friday, my youngest son, Caeleb, and I started our day as usual and ate at one of our favorite restaurants, Barelas Coffee House in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Summer carries a special magic in the MacDonald home. For many years, I’ve enjoyed spending Museum Fridays with my sons,…

The past two weeks have been especially busy as I produced and directed the musical “Honk! JR.” in my community. Many children who’ve worked with me for years participated in the production. I can’t count the number of children’s theater programs I’ve directed over the years, but I do…