Friday Tidings

The General Social Survey recently reported that only 14% of Americans are “very happy” and not surprisingly, 50% feel isolated.  The American Psychological Association has issued their own findings, stating that 70% of Americans consider the time they are living in as the lowest point in US History.  And then there’s Twitter claiming that Americans’ happiness in recent weeks is the lowest ever recorded. Another report offered a solution that’s found in two colors: green and blue.  In other words, get outside and enjoy the blue sky, some blue waters, and the green grasses and trees.  This immediately reminded me of Shirley. It was when I was going through my turbulent teens that Mom thought Shirley could help. At 16, I found solace driving my car faster than I should while blaring loud rock music. Mom introduced me to her friend and then left me with her for the day. I might as well have been sentenced to some juvenile detention center. But Shirley just gave me ...

Long ago, my husband Tom, attended the first ever Mariner Fantasy camp—a weeklong immersion into the life of a pro baseball player. It came complete with official uniforms, jacket, and name-emblazoned embroidered jerseys. He got to be coached by some stellar former players. The following summer, the Fantasy team was invited to attend an official Mariner game—in uniform. Before the real game started they had their own game on the field, one final fantasy hurrah.  Afterwards, we took our seats in the stands. That’s when it started.   First one kid, then another, and another asked Tom for his autograph. Soon he was signing baseballs, programs, shirts, and hats. He tried explaining he wasn’t a “real” Mariner....but he did look pretty authentic. We laughingly accused him of impersonating a player. But one thing Tom never impersonated, was being a real father. When he was young, he may have fantasized about being a famous baseball player, but he left fantasies behind when he be...

She’d managed to catch a ride with a friend who was driving from Seattle to Spokane, and now, after a night curled up on the chairs in the hospital waiting room, she was a bit weary.  That’s when her ex-husband arrived, looking fresh from a morning flight from Seattle. They were both on the same mission—to see their daughter, and her tiny baby who’d just arrived—their first grandchild.  Their divorce had been nearly a decade ago. Whatever animosity remained, didn’t really matter now.  He’d seen her sleeping uncomfortably in the waiting room.  So he’d gone in search of some coffee. He returned and handed her a cup of vending machine coffee—the only thing available.  He smiled, that same toothy smile she remembered from long ago. They took turns checking in on their daughter and wearing the hospital gowns required in order to see their premie granddaughter. They both had cameras and took dozens of pictures.  When evening came, he not...

“Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”                                                                                          Robert Fulghum, author.    I’m rarely at a loss for words as I post each week, but like you, I’ve lost a measure of joy and a good portion of my peace. There has already been much written and said about injustice, that is far better than anything I can add, but I am praying for this divided nation. Mike Von I’m grieving for those who grieve and have lost too much. I ache for the Floyd and Arbery families. I add my prayers for the families who’ve lost loved ones serving in our police forces and for those maimed and killed while protecting their businesses....