Family Talk Blog

Sigh.  Summer is winding down in the Northwest. The unmistakable signs are here—brisk mornings, shorter days, and the back to school sales. Kids have been getting bored for a while now—looking forward to new backpacks, new classes, new teachers, and seeing old friends that haven’t been around over the summer. The back to school pace is quickening.

I was one of those kids that always liked school. I liked to have a large package of pencils which I would sharpen endlessly. My plaid pencil case was filled to the brim. Buying school supplies helped me anticipate the new school year and... Read More

My friend, Dixie, 99 years old, is coming to the end of her life. She lives with her son and daughter-in-law who are providing hospice care for her. For the last seven years, I had lunch with Dixie and her son every week at a local restaurant. But now, she can’t leave the house or walk unassisted. She sleeps most of the day, slips in and out of awareness, and slowly, but surely her organs are shutting down. She is like a candle flame that is flickering. Yet, surrounded by loved ones in a familiar environment, she is peaceful.  While not unexpected, who is ever prepared for the death of a... Read More

My wife and I are in our second year as grandparents to two lovely girls, ages 15 and 17 months. Our daughters announced to my wife when they were teenagers that they were both going to have children at the same time and lo and behold they both became pregnant within two months of each other!

Everything that anyone tells you about the wonders of having grandchildren are all true. In fact, I told Diane that we shouldn't have waited so long to have them! We just spent a week on Cape Cod with both of our daughters, one son-in-law in tow, and both of our granddaughters, now toddlers. It... Read More

I recently saw a delightful movie, “One Chance”, about a Brit, Paul Potts, who won a talent show in the early 2000’s. It’s a feel-good movie about a real person who loved to sing as a child. Growing up in Wales, he was constantly bullied and harassed by the other kids, but it didn’t deter him from singing. He struggled with misfortune and disappointment. But at the end of the day, he took a big risk and won the big prize. It’s a story about an “everyman” who doesn’t let go of his dream. Watch the movie and see the YouTube videos about him. It’s a heartwarming story.

What struck me... Read More