I have not had
words
lately.
Or
ever,
in my most
honest
moments.
I still
don’t.
I know
I am
regrouping.
Tag Archives: Personal
Now on Burnside:”On Sanctification”
In this meditation, I consider how Picasso’s cubism represents life and sanctification. Please read and comment on Burnside.
Now on Sojourners: “Waiting for your 2013″
A New Year evokes so many emotions in us. For some a wonder of potential opportunities. Others, the hope of change. Still others, the fear of uncertainty. In each case there lies a moment of suspense. A pause. And yet our resolutions are spoken, written and relayed far before the time has been taken to contemplate what we feel and how we feel.
This year my challenge is to start with the place of inaction and pause to consider what we in fact feel. To each of us we have to slow down after the Christmas season high of purchasing, giving, praying, lighting candles, waiting in Advent, hoping for the Christ Child to know what kind of year we need to encounter.
Resolve to be irresolute until the time of knowing appears.
Resolve to sit silent and listen.
Resolve to move slower until weary legs be refreshed.
Resolve to know loved ones as they are right now.
Resolve to build, to grow, to transform those parts that 2012 has damaged or left broken.
On the Death of My Muse
From the inception of time, losing what is most precious has plagued the human imagination. William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s The First Mourning captures the horrific realization Adam and Eve experienced when discovering Abel’s body following his murder by Cain. It is impossible to understand the weight of such a cruel moment unless one is a parent. From the first breath to the last, a parent’s world is consumed with the love and joy, frustration and fear, hope and appreciation for her child. Words cannot properly express. So I shall not try. You parents know what I mean. Losing the one who should bury you ranks among the most hellish moments one can envision. If hell exists, it must include such loss.
This painting has riveted my attention for the past few months since discovering it on Wikimedia. I have one son whose life has wrought upheaval in mine – for the rest of my life. I cannot envision what losing him would mean. I am not going to try.
What captivates me about this moment in time is a much more introspective realization I’m terrified to face. I do not have to bury my son. I have a metaphorical funeral awaiting me or behind me. I’ll let you determine which. Perhaps this confession will be the first step in a proper burial. I can only hope for resurrection or infusion by another.
My loss cuts to the fabric of my being an editor at Burnside Writers. Recently, I shared with Betsy Zabel my Muse is in dire straits. Hell fire awaits, perhaps. Inspiration comes like a dainty, mythical creature, resting ever so gently upon my psyche. And then, she whimsically departs with a residue. I feel used, hollow and desperate. I cannot do this alone. It is her working that has brought me thus far. Could it be?
I need her to do this right now. But this piece is not hers. It is my own. For I have buried her. Or she buried me. I know not which. This is a plea for any other such spirits of revelation to alight upon me — even now.
But I see Bouguereau, and I have known the conclusion to my story. Enlightenment does not always bring light. Sometimes it is a recognition light has departed. Darkness reigns.
My life as a writer — full of its ecstatic delusion of success — lies limp in my lap. Surely this cannot die now? Surely it would accompany me to the grave? Surely there has to be more than this? What about the novels flowing from my finger tips? What about the websites, blogs, articles…? I feel the cold silence.
I gaze upon it with tear stained cheeks. And I am at a loss for words. I, too, grab my chest and look at my Muse. Her head turned down away from me. She has determined to grace her smooth skin upon the forehead of you my peers. She might be gracing you right now.
Upon taking the commission to edit for Burnside, I thought this would be a natural way to revive the Muse. To persuade her to be mine and mine alone. If such a generous, self-sacrificial act would not seduce her, then what am I to do? As I felt her presence less and less, the email came to help. My logic deduced this will win her back to me and I will be hers. She will be mine. Only mine.
Why share my sorrow? Why burden you with this tale of mourning? Because I see her working in your midst. You know my Muse and numerous others. I have been so revived by your work as poets and writers. I am seeing your Muses working ceaselessly. And, every once in a while I see my all to familiar Muse appear on your pieces. I am humbled to promote the many wonderful expressions of inspiration you so unselfishly share with us all. I sit Museless yet contented.
So my Muse has died, or I have died to her, and she has been reincarnated into countless other manifestations. I know the many arms, legs and faces that she takes and I can only say, “Let it be so.”
Burying my selfish ambitions I can see more clearly.
In losing we discover what is most precious.
In dying we can possibly discover new life.
On the death of my Muse, I anticipate.
I’m beside myself at her grave.
Resurrection awaits.
Let it be so.
Amen.
One of these days…
This about says it for me today…
BWC Update
I’m delighted to join the editing team at Burnside Writers as the Poetry Editor. I’m not going to be posting here as frequently, but I’d welcome you all to visit Burnside Writers Collective and read along as I promote Christian poetry there. Thanks for reading, liking and sharing together the beauty of art and joy of great thoughts.
Convergence now available on Barnes & Noble
Convergence is now available for purchase on Barnes & Noble! It’s also available on Amazon in print and for Kindle.
Multiple Personalities
One of my many problems is my online split-personality that have not easily melded. I realized this even more through a tool on Klout.com. I’ve called it a Meyers-Briggs for internet personalities. Fascinating.
I’ve been graciously labeled an “Explorer.” I like that. Discovering new online tools has always been a fascination of mine. So now, I embrace my new label: Michael D. Bobo the Explorer.
Rest assured, I’ll continue to share and to observe what’s next online.
If you are interested in finding out about your web personality, visit Klout.com and sign in with your Twitter or Facebook accounts. Your analysis will reveal whom you’ve influenced and how wide your web personality extends.
Now on Burnside: “I Write Because”
“I Write Because” is an edited version of a series I did on this blog about what makes me write. Please read and comment on Burnside if you feel compelled. This is a very personal piece since it touches on the primal urges I feel when I take up the keyboard and write. I am self-conscious of it, but I believe it might strike a chord with some of my readers who also write.
I Write Because I Hate
photo © 2004 Dave Sliozis | more info (via: Wylio)
Sometimes the world is just not as I think it should be. So I write. My angst propels me to do something, but my virtual self is suffocated in the machine that I hate.
I hate the fact that it is less loving, less pure, less appropriate. My passion for seeing, loving, and hating propels me forward as a nameless, faceless hater of all that is indecent. I consider the world – its virtual trappings – and I hate that a phone call, or God forbid, a face to face conversation takes so much work.
I hate that I am who I am – part of the problem writing for solutions. How do we escape these virtual walls that shelter our virtual selves trapped inside of virtual profiles? Multiple personality disorders are rife in the postmodern, Internet mania in which we struggle to survive.
I hate these things and so much more. I write because I hate, and maybe I hate because I write. But my hope remains possibly one thing will motivate someone(s) somewhere(s) to change. Until it does, don’t expect to see me shut up.
I Write Because I Love
photo © 2007 jmscottIMD | more info (via: Wylio)
Love is one of the most precious and perplexing phenomena. Words often seem paltry when expressing the thoughts, feelings and passions rooted in a loving moment. I struggle with this. Maybe it’s my gender. Maybe it’s fear of rejection.
Despite my almost eight years of marriage, I struggle. I tell my wife I love her. But that sounds hollow. Words are inadequate, but they are our best tools to express the depth of appreciation. Writing is a vehicle to transport those closest to us to see what we really have going on inside of our complex vessels. I find that I can write what I feel better than what I can say in those many moments of tenderness.
So, I write because I love. I love my wife, my son, my life. I love the goodness of God to give me the faculties to write, to live and to love. I love love.
I Write Because I See
Perception is a gift. Some see things in ways that are truly magical. As I consider why I write, I understand seeing is a huge element. When I began my journey many months ago, I saw something that made me get on a blogging platform. What about the future? I realized that little to no writing on the future happened in the Christian blog scene. Then I saw that art was under appreciated among many Christians. With the powerful image driven Internet world, wouldn’t this be a great place to promote the great works of art once again, only to do so in a faith based way? And then I saw that my story might be something that moves others to live and aspire to improve themselves.
I write because I see. What I see may only be pertinent to me, but I’ve learned that one or two may likewise catch a vision of my vision. My “eye” may be a hazel shaped orb in my skull or a centered heart, but both are fundamental in my journey. The best pieces inevitably engage both optical and emotive lenses.
Perhaps you, too, may see. So, I write.
Seeing is a key. It unlocks a door of expression. Without it there is little content worth absorbing. I do not profess to see well all of the time, most of the time. However, my passion to communicate starts with this fundamental sense. I would not have realized this without writing. Hand in hand. I need my eyes to motivate my pen and my pen to express the world I perceive.
My Farewell – A Life in Retrospect
photo © 2005 Andrew Kuchling | more info (via: Wylio)
Since the world is going to be forever different starting tomorrow 6am EST (thank God for no more Rapture talk), I figure I should contemplate my life and consider what could have been. Harold Camping’s theory of the world’s end has one personal benefit. It makes me grateful for a full life of 34 years. I’ve lived, loved, won, lost, believed, doubted…
Life is beautiful.
_____
_____
Michael D. Bobo: A Life
Marriages: 1
Children: 1
Employers: Quakes’ Stadium, Richard Nixon Library, TextMart, Saving Grace World Missions, American Chinese Institute, Korea Nazarene University, Arbor Education and Training, Altfillisch Contractors, Examiner.com, Citrus College
Jobs: hot dog cook, store clerk, missionary, pastor, teacher, administrator, executive assistant, freelance writer, college professor
Educational Benchmarks: B.A. Vanguard University, M.A. CSU Dominguez Hills
Educational Goals unmet: Ph.D., thesis published, academic book published
Countries lived in: U.S., Uganda, South Korea
Countries visited: Mexico, U.K., Israel, Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, China, Thailand
Countries I wished I could have visited: Canada, Australia, Ireland, France, Italy, Germany, Russia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Egypt, India, Indonesia
Books written: 0
Books attempted: 4
Blogs started: 5
Blogs envisioned: 10
Movies watched: unknown, numbers in the 1000s
Favorite actor: Anthony Hopkins
Favorite recent movie: The Book of Eli
Favorite Website: Burnside Writers Collective
Favorite Podcast: Sklarbro Country
Favorite TV Show: Flight Of The Conchords
Favorite Band: The Decemberists
Favorite Book: Outliers
Favorite Sport: Ice Hockey
Favorite Team: Buffalo Sabres
Favorite Athlete: Ryan Miller (Buffalo Sabres Goaltender)
Regrets: considering this list – 0
Thanks for reading and I look forward to post-Apocalyptic endeavors. As you probably surmised I expect to be here on Monday and I’m excited about life after the Rapture.
Is God in it?
photo © 2010 Sarah | more info (via: Wylio)
The first thing I consider is whether I write for God’s glory or mine? Honestly, I must confess that this is unclear even to me. My motivation for writing stems from a catharsis that it produces. So in the purest sense my initial motivation is selfish. I write because I need to express my heart’s passion, longing, frustration… I write because I am able. It is unclear who will read, in what state of mind, in what state of belief/doubt. So blogging is ironically selfless and selfish all at once. I see God in this process. So I write. I envision what, when, where and why. Faith got me interested in writing. And faith propels me. I want to write for God’s glory, but at the end of the day I write for me. If this makes me a villain, a narcissist or a bad guy, then I’ll wear those labels.
My Blogistential Crisis
tears for my creation
A humble expression of God’s perspective on Creation
by Michael D. Bobo
Peering down from atop the world,
I see creation like no other.
The beauty takes even My breath away.
How is it that My creatures fail to see?
There is bliss to be found in a flower.
I created the intricacies of the deep ocean,
the vast expanse of the heavens,
the majestic valleys and awesome peaks.
For the joy of My creatures,
for healing,
for delight in a child’s eyes,
for love between Me, My Son and My Spirit.
Tears for my creation.
Yet I am labeled a cruel Deity?
Castigated, rejected, abused.
Some claim I hate and so should they.
Some deny My very being.
In the midst of chaos who hears the cries for aid?
Who comforts the downcast?
Who is in the eye of the storm?
Who has been there all along?
I feel the pain that none other feels,
the ache that longs for My creatures.
Come to Me All who labor.
I have come to give you rest.
Tears for my creation.
I am Peace.
The Shalom.
The Wholeness.
The Holy One.
I am Life.
The Source.
The Keeper.
The Sustainer.
I am Love.
The Lover of all souls.
Self-less sacrifice.
Omnipresent grace.
Tears for my creation.
Read The Bobo Blog
Now on Burnside: “Manna in my Wilderness”
Just posted: a personal reflection on a recent church shopping experience. I have intentionally left names and places nondescript. The lesson in spiritual testosterone brought my wife and I back to a place in our past where we’ve learned and grew and moved on. Please comment on Burnside Writers Collective. I love to know what moves you.
Read The Bobo Blog
Merry Christmas
“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:18-25 NIV)
Merry Christmas. This is one of my favorite pictures of Joseph and the baby Jesus by Guido Reni circa 1635. As a father, I see the love and tenderness in this moment. Joseph’s gift on that day is now ours to celebrate. Thank God for His wonderful gift.
Read The Bobo Blog
It is Finished!
After nearly thirty days of writing abandon, the moment I have waited for has come. I have finished my Nanowrimo 2010 madness. I am so happy to report that I completed the insane notion of 50,000 words in 30 days. More to come, but I had to shout it to the blogosphere before retiring to bed for much needed sleep.
Nanowrimo in progress
The month of November is going to be my first step in becoming a real writer. I will be taking the whole month to participate in Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month). My goal is to become a winner, which means I have written 50,000 words in the month. This is a tremendous undertaking, but a novel has been brewing in my soul throughout the whole summer. I am eager to see how much I can actually pour forth in my word processor. This is scary, fun. A word count widget is featured below to let you all know of my progress.
As a result of this madness, I will not be posting this entire month. I will update my blog in December with a complete rundown of the month’s events and a full report on how successful I was. I appreciate your prayers, comments and encouragements. I will be checking in from time to time, so any little push will be like a cup of water to a thirsty soul!
Read The Bobo Blog
I’m an Examiner
I have my first paid writing job on Examiner.com! My title is the Claremont Christianity Examiner. I would appreciate if you subscribe and comment on my personal page at Examiner. I get compensated for each article and for the number of clicks and subscribers per month.
The articles I will be writing are local news clips about the work of Christian churches and individuals in Claremont. I hope to gain favor and in the near future have more opportunities to write on a State and National level. Baby steps, first. So I’m going to specify on local content. If you would like me to write an article about your work in Claremont, please email me at info@michaeldbobo.com.
Read The Bobo Blog
Vindication (or my addiction to change affirmed)
photo © 2007 LASZLO ILYES | more info (via: Wylio)
Recently I have discovered that I am in good company. Any of you who have read me for any length of time realize that I my addiction to re-manipulating this site is beyond imagination, reason, words. I apologize, but I acknowledge I am a fool, trying to perfect the art of religious writing, which is clearly an impossible, and ridiculous, feat. Have we ever had more dialog, dispute, out right violence in human history on the religious scene? If so, I would suggest this is at least ranked among the most contentious periods of religious tension.
Read The Bobo Blog
on showing up late to the party and a nearly one year end review
As the first year of my blogging venture comes to a close, I wanted to show my gratitude for all of the warm comments, emails and social network shout-outs I have received. This has been an unbelievable journey that is just beginning. I intend to make the upcoming year an even better showing of work and a broader representation of my work.
I am a newbie in the Internet world of religious blogging, and I humbly and apprehensively plan to venture in the next year into publishing what I hope to be my first book. I am late to the party, but at least I am able to get my foot in the door.
Burnside has been a true God send for me. I want to thank Jordan, Penny, Sara, Kim and the gang for letting me have a chance.
I want to thank Colin at Liturgical Credo and the kind folks at the Joseph Campbell Foundation for also posting my work.
I have wanted to add a flag counter to my site for a long time, but I felt ashamed to start over on my stats. I figured now is as good a time as any. I look forward to seeing where my readers are from in addition to interacting with you on any of the outlets I’m on.
Grace and Peace to you.
MichaelRead The Bobo Blog
Support Your Local Library
My wife and I have discovered a jewel in our community that is worthy of mention. The local library near my home has become a staple element of my family’s entertainment. For some time I have mulled over the idea to post a promo for local libraries, so here’s my take on them. They are essential to building strong, healthy communities.
Our library has a county-wide exchange program, so it is an access point to all the libraries in the county. Basically, its holdings are small in comparison to others, but it is an amazing tool nonetheless. I have Los Angeles County’s book holdings at my finger tips. This juicy revelation has provided hours of great reading over the past year.
I am also ecstatic to relay that my son has a similar passion for it. The video section has saved me hundreds of dollars in rentals or purchases. His attention span is as fleeting as any three-year old, so I don’t have to scramble to acquire the latest fad kids show at the local video store. We take him to the video section in our local library and give him the run of decades of solid children’s programming on video and DVD. He also loves to check out their kids book section and we always have one or more children’s books, which we incorporate into our nightly reading routine.
We have been involved in their children’s reading hour and are patrons at their Friends of the Library store. With the universities a few paces away, there always is some great work of philosophy, religion, art or popular non-fiction that I have to wrestle not purchasing as we all leave the wonderful facility.
Bottom line: you should try to make the library a staple source of enjoyment for your family, too. It is the eco-friendly, economic solution to our voracious desire to consume media. If you can’t fight this, at least you can not go broke trying to fill the void.
I would love to hear your local library stories as well. Please comment and let’s consider building momentum for our local programs.
Read The Bobo Blog
Genius of Joyce
Mistakes are the portals of discovery. James JoyceI got this from gratefulness.org today and I feel this is a perpetual reminder to me. With the Wooster post on Passion and this gem from Joyce, I see more clearly that my past failures and my future successes are both opportunities. I hope you discover this, too.
I wrote an essay for the Joseph Campbell Foundation on Joyce. If you are a fan of either author you can read it here.
A Lesson in Losing
This Lent I decided to fast communication on my blog and social networking sites for regrouping spiritually and intellectually. I channeled my passions toward publishers and other websites, hoping to have a breakthrough. What was I thinking? A season of Lent, to start something – are you kidding me? I now realize how priceless my lack of success really is because a principle emerged in my experience that deserves some careful consideration.
Lent is a season of learning to lose. That’s right. This may not seem like a huge revelation for some, but learning to lose is a virtue for Christians seeking a well-rounded spiritual life. It’s true for our Lord and it’s especially true for us. We have the benefit of the larger perspective from Christ’s triumphant return from the dead, but there needs to be a season of reflection upon his conflict with religious leaders, denial by his disciples and his torturous death. This annual reminder is a huge slap in the face to the prosperity-driven, consumerist Christianity that appears on television of late. There are seasons where Christians lose. There are seasons where the world is triumphant. Life is not always fair and things are not always just.
So, why would this harsh reality check be a necessary annual lesson for the Church? Isn’t the Church on Earth to help usher in victory, justice and truth? Isn’t the Christian life one of Spirit-filled conquest? I suggest that Lent itself is our answer with a resounding, “NO.” Losing is a necessary part of living the victorious Christian life. The cross is a means to experience the empty tomb. Jesus is our example in this, and I can’t think of a better person to illustrate a truth to us Christians.
Losing gracefully, patiently and faithfully is a necessary experience for the Church. This annual reminder is an essential humbling that prevents authentic Christianity from becoming a crusading, fundamentalist, “we’re gonna takeover the world” movement. Losing demonstrates the transcendence of God in His dominion over all creation. Rather than trust in our own resources, our own craftiness, our own method, we Christians have to cry out to the Lord for deliverance, for peace, for hope, for justice. We have to rely upon Him to be the Deliverer, the Peacemaker, the Giver of hope, the Judge of all men. Is that really so bad? It hurts our fragile egos, but it puts us in a proper place of dependence. So, I propose, Lent and losing are essential and valuable after all for us today as a community of believers. Instead of dismissing it as an antiquated ritual that serves little purpose, it is a crucial yearly reminder of our place in the cosmic scheme of things.
My Heart is Full
Since the beginning of 2010, I have made it a point to reconnect with old friends and pull my head out of my shell to revisit life as I knew it five or more years ago. It has been an enriching experience, and I can only say to all of my friends from various stages of my life, “My heart is full.”
Full of joy at the spouses and children you have. Full of awe at how quickly time passes. Full of regret for not being in contact sooner. Full of sorrow to hear of hard news, of losses, of suffering that some of my friends have faced.
I have met my dark night of the soul through a very tough five-year period. Leaving the pastorate in 2005 brought some of the most challenging times that I could ever have imagined. Most of the trials and suffering I endured spiritually, psychologically, emotionally, and physically have empowered me today to write to you now. Most of what I have endured has been for my growth as a man and for the maturation needed to embrace my role as a husband and as a father.
My heart is full.
To those who knew me from High School, I apologize for letting life slip away for so long. I moved to Yorba Linda, went to college, lived overseas for a while, got married, lived overseas again, had a son, and now I realize how much of life I have not shared with you. For that I am sorry.
To those who knew me from Saving Grace, I have taken these past five years to regroup as a leader, as a Christian man, and to continue my education. Shannon and I left silently from the church because we felt it was the best way to let God control the situation. We did not feel the need to defend ourselves or to broadcast the differences we had with other leaders. We have not become Catholic, but I am sure you have figured that out if you have read my blog. We embrace Christianity from a broader perspective that includes people from all walks of life, from all nations, from all denominations. We long for a global expression of our collective faith that will be best seen in heaven when every tongue, tribe and nation will rejoice.
To those who knew me from missions in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya, England, Mexico and Belize I apologize for losing touch with you all. I still remember many fond times of conversation, prayer, sharing meals, laughing, crying, wishing, dreaming in various countries about various communities. I believe my departure from the mission field was for the greater preservation of my life. I had open heart surgery in 2008 and I am so grateful to have had the medical care that only the States can offer. This was very trying for Shannon and me, but we see this life after surgery as a chance to live life to the fullest. To appreciate each day as a new blessing.
My heart is full.
Thank you for sharing your lives with me. Thank you for graciously greeting me and receiving me back as a friend. Thank you for not casting judgment on my silence.
My heart is full.
Gifts
Advent Conspiracy has given me much to think about this Christmas, and I would like to propose a different take on Christmas gifts. Rather than comment on the rampant consumerism that has taken over the North American celebration of this special day, I have realized that we as Christians can take a different look at gifts and gift giving in light of the gift of being in a country such as ours. We have so much already to be thankful for just existing in a wonderful country like the States. Christmas should be another opportunity to appreciate all that we already have. Much like Thanksgiving, this perspective on Christmas can offer a chance to reflect on what really matters in our lives. I would propose some of these Christmas gifts for which we all can be grateful.
~Health, when we are fortunate enough to experience it daily.
~Fresh, clean drinking water.
~Food so plentiful our homeless are well fed by global standards.
~Plumbed, sanitary dwellings.~Warm places to rest our heads.
~Clothes, ample enough to cover ourselves a month or more.
~Peace on a national, state and local level.
~Family. Friends. Neighbors. Community.~Vehicles – one per adult driver is common.
~Paved roads. Public parks. Ample, reliable utilities.
~Music, movies, books galore.
~Computer technology which makes time and space easily manipulated.
~Information so ample that no human brain could fathom its depths.
This Christmas let’s reflect upon what gifts we have and share these joys with those we love. One of the greatest gifts around is inner peace. Without these gifts it would be difficult to remain tranquil and focused. The irony is that we as Americans can be more unsettled than our developing world neighbors. We have so much to be thankful for this Christmas season. With all of these gifts which we normally take for granted, let’s give freely, knowing that we have more as Americans than the multitudes in slums scattered throughout South America, Africa, and Asia. The least we could do is extend our extra resources this Christmas, remembering what we already have been given, and make a difference in someone else’s life who may live without one or more of these luxuries.
Thanksgiving Post-Op
This is the second Thanksgiving that I have celebrated since my open heart surgery. I have so much to be thankful for since I have faced death recently and I have been given the gift of life. I thank God for my family and my friends – without whom I would be a shell of a soul.
My wife is the greatest woman I could ever imagine. Her patience and perseverance is commendable.
My beautiful son is a blessing every day. His smile is infectious, and his laugh warms my soul.
My parents have been the most supportive and encouraging in my post surgery years. Their love and prayers have sustained me each day.
My mother-in-law and father-in-law have never wavered in their faith in me as a newer member of their family.
My sister and brother-in-law have been so prayerful and affirming of my existence.
My little nieces and nephews inspire me to be a better uncle each time we meet.
My sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law are gifts, each one. Their example as adults, as parents and as spouses fuel my fire to be a better husband and father.
My aunts and uncles, cousins and grandmother have been exceedingly gracious to me, even when I pulled within my shell prior to my surgery.
My many friends have given warm words of encouragement, frequent emails, and, most importantly, prayers.
To all of you in my life, I can only say, “Thank you.” I am thankful for the gift of life and the opportunity to share what I have learned on my journey.
