Every year at the First United Methodist Church of Belen, New Mexico, where I serve as pastor, I present a Bible to those graduating from high school and/or college. I select one of its verses that I feel connects with each specific recipient, and then I read the…
In the Twinkling of an Eye
— Joe MacDonald
Rev. Dr. Joe K. MacDonald is a pastor in the New Mexico Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Cazandra, live in Belen, New Mexico, along with their youngest son, Caeleb, and two fur babies, Laggie and Hildie. Both of Joe’s sons (the oldest is Julian) have severe hemophilia A, factor VIII deficiency. Julian was diagnosed in 1996 and Caeleb in 2006. Joe serves on the Board of the Sangre de Oro Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Joe’s goal is to help his sons and others in the community use their voices to help improve the quality of life for those with bleeding disorders.
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Thirteen years ago, when my youngest son, Caeleb, was 7, he suffered a horrible spontaneous internal bleeding episode in his right knee, a complication of hemophilia. His right knee and ankle were target joints, meaning they were susceptible to frequent bleeding. This proved to be one of…
I walked into my home and heard my oldest son, Julian, having a heated conversation over the phone. He hung up and threw his phone down in absolute frustration. “What’s wrong?” I asked. He said, “How did you and Mom navigate hemophilia treatment with our health insurance company?…
“Merrily We Roll Along” is my new favorite musical. The plot of this Stephen Sondheim show centers on three college friends and the disintegration of their relationship. What’s interesting is that the play is in reverse chronological order; we witness the final destruction in the first scene, with…
When my oldest son, Julian, moved back home, he knew that I, in my Methodist minister role, needed a couple of singers to help lead a 9 a.m. worship gathering. I debated whether to ask him if he could help me out, but before I could utter a word, he…
My house is in a state of chaos. Julian, my oldest son, leaves for a summer job in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina on May 1, while Caeleb, my youngest son, graduates high school on May 18. My wife, Cazandra, and I feel the unspoken tension that both…
Almost 27 years ago, I received the title of caregiver when my first son, Julian, was born. Not realizing that my role in his life would change over the years with his hemophilia, I gladly performed my duty and helped him navigate the waters of medical care. Ten…
Last Friday started like any other day. I felt excited that I’d survived my first week back at work after an incredible vacation in Washington, D.C. I began to prepare a mental schedule to order my day. As I thought of the many things around the house that needed my…
After I had spent a few days lobbying legislators in Washington, D.C., my youngest son, Caeleb, joined me for some much-needed time together. I met him at the airport to start our madcap adventures. He was in a wheelchair due to chronic pain from numerous spontaneous bleeding…
Last Thursday, I visited Washington, D.C., to join my fellow blood brothers and sisters in lobbying legislators regarding issues that directly affect the bleeding disorders community. I must admit that I was a little nervous. Several times, I wondered, “What in the world am I doing here? I’m only…
This week, I’m doing something I’ve never done before: stepping into the ring of politics and lobbying my congresspeople. Many of those in the bleeding disorders community gather annually in Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. representatives and senators. The goal is simple: to remind legislators that medical care…
The singer onstage opened his mouth, and notes flew through the air, falling on the ears of everyone listening. His tone indicated a beautifully powerful lyric tenor voice as the song filled the space, hypnotizing the crowd. As he finished his first number, the crowd roared with joy. He…
My younger son, Caeleb, struggled to get to his feet and go to physical therapy today. His right ankle has very little cartilage because of hemophilia complications, and he often struggles to get around without the assistance of a cane or walker. He looked at me and…
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