I must admit right off the bat that I’m a big fan of the musical “Hamilton.” I saw a production of it in Chicago and felt its energy flow through my veins like lightning. The dancing was nonstop,…
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As we prepare to celebrate Christmas, I can’t help but remember a particular year in the MacDonald household. In 2013, my youngest son, Caeleb, couldn’t catch a break from hemophilia. Constant spontaneous bleeding episodes into his right…
In the Christian tradition, the season of Advent occurs for the four weeks leading to Christmas. Through the time leading up to the birth of Christ, we take a fearless moral inventory and address the issues that keep us…
I tell my sons that I love them every day and at the end of every conversation. I can count on one hand the number of days I haven’t spoken to them. However, sometimes I fear my words fall…
I do not give up. It’s in my DNA to find answers to questions, even if it takes a long time. I hope my sons, who both have hemophilia, inherit this characteristic of seeking out answers. I pray…
Today, as we take time to celebrate the gift of one another, I can’t help but think about the many trials my 16-year-old son, Caeleb, faced this year as a result of hemophilia. As a child, Caeleb struggled…
My youngest son, Caeleb MacDonald, is a 16-year-old with hemophilia and chronic joint pain. Several times this year, the pain has become so intense that he cannot get out of bed. I cannot help but associate his…
On Monday, the preschool at my church celebrated Halloween, complete with little goblins, ghosts, and other assorted creatures. The children bragged about their costumes, saying, “Look, Pastor Joe, I’m a princess. Look, Pastor Joe, I’m a ferocious Samurai warrior.”…
Last week, I wrote about the bond I formed immediately with my oldest son, Julian. Caeleb, my youngest son, recently reminded me of the unique bond he and I share. Toward the end of her third trimester, my…
From the time my wife found out she was pregnant, we celebrated a ritual each evening until the birth of my oldest son, Julian. Before we kissed good night, I put my face to her belly and sang the…
Recently, I opened an email from a company inviting me to share my insights regarding bleeding disorders and how my family handles the struggles of chronic illness. Before my sons were born, I think I would’ve hit the…
My son Caeleb participated in a marching band competition this past Saturday. He plays the keyboard in the pit so that he doesn’t have to move around on the field, which would cause intense pain. Many years…
I discovered that I have a talent unlike any other. I’m a world champion at throwing pity parties. When times get tough and I feel lost, all I must do is put a cone-shaped hat on my head and…
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