Friday Tidings

Last Memorial Day, my friend Greg posted a picture of Douglas Munro’s tombstone. In his small town, Munro was a true hometown war hero. Greg suggested looking him up. So, I googled Munro’s name and quickly discovered that in the entire history of the US Coast Guard, there has only been one person ever awarded the Medal of Honor—it was him, Signalman 1 st Class Douglas Munro. I wanted to know more.  It was September 27, 1942, a month into the Battle of Guadalcanal during World War II. Munro and others were navigating landing craft full of Marines along the coast of Guadalcanal which is one of the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific. The Marines were attempting to capture the western region of the island. Munro took control of 10 landing craft and moved the men to the coastline.    Just an hour after successfully landing the men, the Marines faced Japanese bombing raids—which drove out their gunfire support. They were driven back to the beach—anyone near enough could...

We were heading to Point of the Arches on the Pacific coast, but first we had to traverse about two miles on a muddy, slippery woodland trail. My son Tommy was in front, and my husband and I carefully followed his footsteps. We worked our way through ankle-deep mud. The fact that it was raining only made the hike more memorable. We reached the crest of the trail that also marked the boundary of the Olympic National Park—we could see the ocean and the sun was breaking through the clouds. We headed down the hill. We had another two miles to hike south along the beach.   But my son wasn’t stopping there—he was continuing solo, another 12 miles south and spending the night along the coastline. He had a GPS locator and the needed provisions, but he would be climbing over huge boulders, to make it through the “tide critical” areas—which is exactly what it sounds like—you must get past those areas before the tide comes in and traps you. Comforting thought.   Times like this remin...

My friends Rich and Kristi hesitated to take this trip—you know, it costs money to travel. Both are hardworking and they've raised three terrific kids, along with a few others that they helped along the way. They’ve made good investments in life—the best kind, investments in people.  Rich and Kristi have taken hundreds of teens on youth group adventures, they work to help others in their community, and Rich drives hundreds of miles a year refereeing games—but those things don’t make you wealthy. But then a sweet friend offered tickets to the Kentucky Derby. They mulled it over. Should they go? Their travel money could be used in other ways. Their friend was so kind to offer. They said yes. Arriving at Churchill Downs, they could feel excitement in the air. At the very last minute, a famous thoroughbred withdrew from the race, and Rich Strike was added. Typically, racehorses cost millions, but Rich Strike was purchased for $30,000.00 and had 80-1 odds that he could win....

Surrounded by love: my mom, grandma, aunt, & sister I was eavesdropping in the hallway, listening to my piano teacher tell my mom that I lacked the focus needed to advance appropriately. Having just turned seven, and showing little progress in a year's worth of lessons, she didn’t think I should continue. My teacher was kind, but firm in her reproach. Mom was quiet, but then she said four words, “Give her another chance.” I crept back to where I had been sitting. Our drive back home was quiet. At bedtime, Mom came in and said that if I wanted to learn piano I would need to just keep practicing. It might not be easy—but we both knew from my school experiences that nothing I learned ever came easy. My lessons continued, and eventually my piano teacher suggested I learn elsewhere. Even though my piano teacher gave up on me, Mom didn’t. She asked our church organist to teach me and so I kept at it.  My mom’s words, “Give her another chance” motivated me in a way she never...