Assessing Childhood
Grandma lived with us, and entering the back door in cold weather, you could smell the work of her hands. By that I mean, her pies. You...
On Regrets
Uncle Chuck and Aunt Janie had a difficult marriage. Aunt Janie became disabled a few years after their wedding. Due to brain damage,...
The Advice Trap
Nothing buoys my ego like giving wise and helpful advice. But in my line of work, that’s often a precarious move. For example, not long...
The "Big Switcheroo": Functional Relationships with Adult Children
When 26-year-old Tiffany arrived home for a visit from her job in Philadelphia, I happened to be with her parents in the kitchen. During...
Relationship Repair Work
A flush-redness tints my face when I think about the stupid mistake I made a few weeks ago. After cutting some logs into firewood near my...
On Being Offended
There are few things more satisfying than taking offense. Those offended gain the thrill of self-righteousness! And the sweet reward that...
The Glass Eye
A 70-year-old man with a glass eye traveled across the globe with me. I had asked Doug to accompany me to Bangladesh because I needed to...
Honest Confusion
For quite some time, I have wanted to publicly admit my confusion. I’ve hesitated, because confusion is widely viewed as weakness. Being...
My Personal Odyssey: A Reflection and Invitation to New Graduates
I suppose I could blame the big adventure of my early adulthood on Oscar Rebman. Oscar lived next door to my family growing up. A...
On Having Mercy
Should each of us be forever punished for the worst thing we’ve ever done? On the leadership team of a company I know, one of the...