Family

The Black Dog Bites Again!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
The “black dog” of depression robbed these two daughters of their mother


She sang about the good old days.
With love she built a bridge
that helped her run away from the “black dog.”
She knew where she was going
when her day for dying came.
Naomi (from her youth) reached out to God.

“Don’t be cruel!” she prayed intently
as she’d cry herself to sleep.
“Your Baby’s Got the Blues” was in her head.
The rhythm of the rain drowned out
the morning birds who’d chirp.
A change of heart is what she daily pled.

But still this mother languished
from depression’s dreaded spell.
She verbalized her pain most publicly.
Her country music lyrics
often called to mind young love
as she dreamed of joy and freedom. “Why not me?”

This Mother’s Day two daughters
will be grieving for their mom
who couldn’t bear the torture one more day.
May Ashley and Wynona
recognize love is alive.
Please carry them, dear Father, this I pray.


** My introduction to The Judds came as I was spinning records as a deejay while working at KICY radio in Nome, Alaska. It was the summer of 1987. I had just turned thirty-five years of age. My wife and I along with our children accepted an invitation to serve as short-term missionaries at a radio station owned and operated by our denomination (The Evangelical Covenant Church). Much of the music played on the station that served the rural villages of Western Alaska was country/western.

“I Know Where I’m Going” by The Judds was on our play list. I loved the harmony of the mother/daughter duo. I also loved the title. Although the song was not spiritual in the least, it was an invitation to trust the Lord to lead me to a future of His choosing. While I didn’t know the details to what my life and ministry held in store, my Father knew. He knew where He was going with my life. He invited me to come, too.

Curiously, I just turned seventy. As I look back it’s hard to realize that experience in Nome was half my life ago.

It’s a Wonderful (Amazing) Life!

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
New words to Amazing Grace inspired by an old movie

A wonderful life
God’s given us
through friends and family.
Each morning breaks
with hope anew
like waves upon the sea.

There’s beauty in
a walk at dawn
and geese upon a pond.
Our lives are blessed
by thoughts of times
with loved ones who are gone.

There’s wonder in
a moonlit night
and in a child’s face.
Our blessings morph
to grateful hearts
and hymns that praise God’s grace.


Greg’s book,
“Finding God in
It’s a Wonderful Life“
is listed on the
BOOKS menu
at $5.88-$14.99
Lulu Books.

Sitting Near My Christmas Tree

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
Reflections on a Christmas Eve

While sitting near my Christmas tree
the lights that twinkle speak to me
recalling poignant memories
of happy times and sad

I visualize my mom and dad
and packages all wrapped in plaid
and buttered lefsa Nana had
to serve on Christmas Day.

I think about our relatives
and thoughtful gifts that they would give
and Grandpa’s prayer that we would live
to serve the newborn King.

I still recall our stereo
and records that we kids would know
by Mel Torme and Nat King Cole
(and the Chipmunks, too).

I can’t help picturing the past.
Somehow I thought those days would last.
Could I have known time moves so fast
as kids find their own way?

I pine for how it used to be
while sitting near this twinkling tree
and cherishing such memories
that time cannot erase.

The delightful image of this nostalgic Christmas scene was painted by my brother Marc Asimakoupoulos.

Tending the Family Tree

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos
A grandparent’s charge

A tender shoot sprouts from a tree
that’s rooted in a trunk called me.
That little branch that bears my name
will grow into a limb.

And how it grows depends on much.
Their parents’ guidance, friends and such.
But, Lord, I know Your grand design
includes grandparents, too.

How straight and strong that branch will grow
will be determined (I well know)
by words of blessing, loving touch
and what grandkids observe.

Lord, may my children’s children see
Your Holy Spirit’s work in me
through what I do and what I say
and how I make them feel.

Thanksgiving Memories

/ Greg Asimakoupoulos

Remembering my mom and dad

I’m thankful for my mom and dad,
for all the special times we had
around a table playing games
and watching Lawrence Welk.

I’m grateful for those times of prayer
and godly wisdom they would share
to guide me on the path of life
as I pursued my dreams.

Their discipline was tough to take
when I would pound a willful stake.
But I, in time, could clearly see
they had my good in mind.

I’m in their debt for what they did
when I was quite a clumsy kid.
They recognized where I excelled
and heralded my worth.

I’m guessing you had folks like me
who took the time to help you see
how much they loved you (warts and all)
because of who you are.

So on this day for gratitude,
embrace a melancholy mood
and thank God for the folks you had
imperfect as they were.

And even though they may be gone,
the shoulders you are standing on
will always be a cause for thanks.
God bless their memory!