father
My Dad’s Missing Slipper
After my father passed, my wife said that she could hear me talking to my dad in my sleep, both as an adult and as a child. I didn’t remember talking to my dad. Apparently I would talk about my dog when I was growing up, and I would carry on a conversation with him for a long time, as if he was standing right next to me. She said I also mentioned a teacher, Mrs. Whooton, my fifth grade teacher. In time the dreams with my dad stopped, because my wife says she no longer hears me talk to my father anymore.
My sister had asked me if I wanted any of his stuff. I already received a lot from him growing up and before his passing, so I could not really think of anything. But I remembered a pair of very nice slippers my wife and I had bought him for Christmas, shortly before he passed away. Continue reading
Prayers For A Prodigal Son
I had been wanting to write this for some time, hoping to use the right words to say this. I feel the time is now.
Recently, we celebrated another Father’s Day in many countries all over the world. For the seventh year in a row I did not see my son, Raymond. Yes, as always I got my hopes up, only to be disappointed again. I usually try to prepare myself days in advance, to get myself out of a bad attitude for knowing that he won’t be around.
I am sure there many fathers or mothers who do not get to see their children. I was a good father, and I know that no one can take that away from me. Father’s Day is a lot harder to me than Thanksgiving or even Christmas, because that one day out of the year is to honor your parents. Both of mine are gone, but I still reflect on what I did for them when they were alive, and what they did for me. Continue reading
The Gift Of Traumatic Life Experiences
It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn from clients every day. More and more clients also show me how they have found ‘the gift’ in their own personal challenges and heartbreak.
One of my clients had a very abusive childhood, and two subsequent abusive marriages. She told me recently how she wrote each of her ex-husbands a detailed letter. She thanked them for the gift they had given her; the growth she had experienced from the myriad of ‘not so happy experiences’ during her life journey with them. Was she playing the victim or merely expressing her anger to them? No, she absolutely meant it.
She also talked about more recent failed relationships and the many gifts derived from knowing deep rejection all the way through to sabotage. And now, finally, she has met a guy who appears to be her ideal mate – she is ready to surrender and enjoy the experience, wherever it takes her. Now she can enjoy the gift of shared love. Continue reading
The Blind Lady Who Looked At Pictures
An old friend of mine, who I have not heard from in a long time, called me recently and left a message on my voice mail to call him back. When I checked my messages I was surprised to hear from him after so many years.
I asked him how he got my number, since I have not talked to him for so long. Apparently he ran into my brother John at the gas station and asked him for my number. We made some small talk at first, and then told me he had some sad news – Sharon had passed away.
Sharon is my cousin and I was very shocked to hear this! But he quickly realized his mistake and pointed out that it was in fact not my cousin; he was referring to Sharon “the blind lady with the pictures”. Oh man, I have not seen her since my childhood, I exclaimed. Continue reading