My oldest son, Julian, recently approached me and asked, “Dad, can you play this song for me on the piano? I have to post a singing audition tonight.” Panic filled my body. I responded, “Oh, Julian, this song has too many fast chord changes.” He walked away, trying to find…

Last week, I visited an outstanding church member in a local hospital. When I arrived, I saw a friend in the lobby, looked into her eyes, and knew that something was dreadfully wrong. She explained that her baby suffered unexplained medical issues and required immediate care. Parents whose children are…

Last week was busy. I spent four days in the mountains on a clergy retreat at the Sacramento Camp and Conference Center in southern New Mexico. When the retreat ended last Thursday, I went to my home elsewhere in the state, met a group at my church, and then…

My youngest son, Caeleb, crossed the stage on Saturday afternoon and received his high school diploma. He relied on the assistance of a cane, which serves as a constant reminder of the chronic pain he suffers as a result of breakthrough bleeds in his right knee and ankle.

For the last two weeks, my family has celebrated a significant milestone for my youngest son, Caeleb. He graduated high school and now looks forward to life as a college freshman. My boy is excited about this new adventure. While I’m grateful that he celebrated a mountaintop experience, I…

My husband, Jared, and I have a great connection. In the nine years we’ve been together — five as a married couple — we’ve never run out of things to say. Every day brings a new topic to discuss. Conversation flows easily between us, even if it’s about a controversial…

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…

Pain can alter people’s behavior, causing them to act out in unusual ways. People experiencing a severe degree of pain may hurt others emotionally or physically, often without meaning to. They might say demeaning things to their caregivers while in the throes of pain, even if they’re normally calm,…

“Long-sleeved shirts,” I say to my younger son, Caeleb, as we run down the list of things he will need for his dorm room. “Check,” he replies. “How about pants, deodorant, toothbrush, wheelchair, cane, Hemlibra [emicizumab-kxwh]?” He confirms he has everything packed and ready to go. We continue packing,…

“Today I am thankful for warm showers and a safe place to live. Dog kisses, even when I am grumpy, make me thankful. I am thankful I did not come unglued when I was frustrated at work.” In November 2020, as part of a women’s hemophilia retreat sponsored by…