Like most Americans, my family and I have been spending a lot of time together since the Coronavirus outbreak. In one way, it has been an excellent opportunity to reset as a family. Lately, we have lingered longer around the dinner table, talking and laughing. Most evenings, Crista and I have been taking walks. We will usually run into a neighbor and talk with them for a while. No one seems to be in a hurry. I am reminded of an old Andy Griffith episode of a salesman who is stranded in Mayberry, and he is upset that everybody and …
Today, most of us use our smartphones and devices more than we would care to admit. We feel as if we always need to be checking it. We have a fear of missing out. Even when we have a conversation with someone, we will often pull out our phone to share a picture or look up a fact. Smart devices are eroding our ability to communicate. Have you ever noticed at a restaurant if two people are eating together, and one of them gets up to use the restroom, instantly the person sitting at the table pulls out their phone? …
I’m getting ready to celebrate my 42nd birthday. This post is an updated post that I had written a while back. It’s a few lessons that I have learned on this journey. People that know and love you will forgive you. Loyal friendships are a rarity. Living in the present moment is much more challenging than living in the past or dreaming of the future. The grass is not greener on the other side. A person that has a hard demeanor and is often angered is dealing with some internal issues. Respect and love go hand and hand. Doing the …
Several years ago, I was with my son cutting firewood in his woods. As we cut a particular tree down, we left a stump from this tree by the path in the woods. At one point I felt impressed to carve a cross in the top of the stump with my chainsaw. At that time, it did not seem to matter where I put it. I also carved an “H” next to the cross (which stands for our last name, Herron). As my grandchildren arrived home from school, of course, they wanted to help us. While in the woods, I …
Recently our oldest grandson decided he would like to spread his wings and fly. This season of life can be challenging for parents and grandparents. During a transitional and relocation period, he had been living with my wife and I. It was just as hard to see him leave, as it was when his dad had left our home. His dad was also in complete agreement with the way we felt. A friend had asked me if we had attempted to stop him from going. I explained that we had not. Our grandson had his heart set on this adventure …