By Richard Perea In growing from a child to an adult, we develop an understanding of who we are, how things work, and what is right and wrong. In effect, we gain a world view which frames the parameters for beliefs, perceptions, and actions. This framework becomes the...
By Karilee Aoki This year, November has arrived in full Seattle fashion -- grey skies with a 100% chance of rain. We had many more puddles and more squishy lawns around than anyone expected. But I was so grateful. After a long scorching summer of drought and high...
By Alan Inman ALIVE is the name of the organization in Alexandria, VA that for 25 years has served food and other care to those that have found themselves in a challenging situation economically. Over the past 2 years, my wife Cindy and I have joined the volunteers at...
Six Boy Scouts were getting their Eagle – the highest rank for the Boy Scouts of America. It was a long day. At the close of each ceremony, two elderly gentlemen decked out in their dark blue, gold braid studded Veterans of Foreign Wars uniforms came forward to...
“I told the team, ‘We’re going to win.’ And I meant it,” my son told me the day after their 40-6 loss. Varsity had lost badly to this team last weekend. Every bone in my body said, “They’re going to lose.” But I was surprised that he had started staring the odds in...
My son is almost nine. He loves to make things. Cardboard boxes, scraps of cloth or wood, and pieces of anything and everything are sources of imagination and delight for him. I’ve had to covertly throw out many, many things, or else our house would have likely become...
By Mark Johnson When I think about my late wife Giusi, I am in an endless state of awe and amazement. I had the privilege to witness the life of a very special person up close for 17 years. It’s hard to believe that 23 years have gone by since her time of passing. I...
By K.M. When you have a boy, there are certain things that you know will probably be inevitable: knee scrapes, fights, mud, and broken bones. Even if you expect it - each one weighs heavy on your heart. So when our extremely active three-year-old boy fractured his...
Ignorance is NOT bliss. It prevents us from realizing our full potential. One case in point is in understanding the full potential of man himself. Part of this struggle is not knowing what a mature man looks like. Therefore, it is essential and critical to think...