Dodger Blue is feeling blue.
The broadcast booth is dark.
The man who brought the game to life
has sadly left the park.
He rounded third on Tuesday night
and safely slid in home.
His well-lived life brought joy to ours.
But now we feel alone.
The prince of play-by-play has died.
Vin Scully has moved on.
That warm and winsome voice we loved
is going, going, gone!
Peace to his memory!
Just leave it to Beaver to shed a few tears.
It doesn’t surprise me. For so many years
his big brother Wally was his best friend and more.
But now his big brother is gone.
So long Wally Cleaver. So long Ward and June.
So long Eddie Haskell. You left us too soon.
Our “Leave it to Beaver-ville” won’t be the same
with “The Beave” all alone by himself.
Yes, Tony Dow’s death made the news yesterday.
It makes our hearts grieve when celebs pass away.
Those we followed as fam’ly, we watched faithfully.
No wonder it’s hard when they die.
Their deaths are reminders that we’re growing old.
That each day’s a gift that’s more precious than gold.
That now is the best time to tell those we love
how we feel about them while we can.
My dearest daughter,
I know your heart is broken.
As the last words spoken between us
echo in your mind,
please know I’m not blind to your tears.
I can imagine your fears
of facing the challenges of tomorrows
without being able to pick up the phone and call me.
But as Jesus told his best friends
the night before He died,
“Don’t let your heart be troubled!
Don’t be afraid.”
This One in whose presence I now find joy
will never leave you or forsake you.
He will comfort you as only He can.
He will carry you when you are too weak to stand.
He will fill your heart with memories we made.
In the heat of death valley, He will be your shade.
Please know that the time and space between us
is only a temporary separation.
The gulf of grief will be spanned by grace.
It won’t be long until you see my face again.
Remember, a family reunion awaits.
In the meantime,
care for your mom.
Lean into your sorrow.
Embrace the ache.
Speak my name.
Look at my pictures.
Forgive my mistakes.
Honor my memory by the choices you make.
And each morning when you wake,
thank the Lord He placed us in the same family.
He graced us with the privilege of being father and daughter.
Be grateful He gave us each other
for the years that we shared on earth
(and the time we will have in Heaven).
Never forget how much I love you
and how proud I am to be your dad.
See you soon!
Dad
Uvalde grieves.
We all grieve
for children robbed of life
at Robb Elementary.
Children who came to school in a bus
and left in a hearse.
Could anything be worse?
It’s hard to imagine.
It’s hard to comprehend.
It’s hardly elementary.
It’s complicated.
It’s evil.
It’s a duplicate snapshot
of our wounded nation
that continues to hemorrhage from the inside out.
It’s a faded photograph
of a broken hearted country
still unable to breathe
on this second anniversary
of another
senseless act of violence.
It’s an image
that violates the value
with which those
made in the Creator’s image
were born.
Imago dei.
You and me.
In Uvalde and everywhere.
A human being
one with another.
A human being
enraged by violence.
A human being
open to the voice of God.
Speak, Lord, Your people are listening!
When you lose a pet a safety net
hangs helplessly below.
That stretched-out rope can’t offer hope
or stop death’s well-aimed blow.
When you lose a pet a safety net
can’t stop your falling tears.
On the day they die, you’re sure to cry
while wishing they were near.
When you lose a pet a safety net
can’t catch your broken heart.
The pain you feel can only heal
as time plays out its part.
But…
When you lose a pet a safety net
can capture memories
of walks and runs and family fun
while romping by the sea.
When you lose a pet you can’t forget
those special times you had.
What once was true will comfort you
on days you’re feeling sad.
My Rhymes and Reasons 