Why I Still Love You (originally published 2007)
A little more than a year ago my wife, Jill, and I sat back with members of my family in a crowded room and watched a man and a woman dance. He, agile and with deft feet, did most of the dancing. She, weakened by a long-term illness, smiled as he swirled around her. He […]
Bothers and Sisters (published 2006)
I began life as a firstborn child. Thankfully, my parents had the foresight to give me a baby brother to assure that I would not live as an only child. They saw that I enjoyed him so much they soon gave me two more. I always had a great time playing with my three younger […]
Life Maps (published 2006)
Over the years I have had the delight of watching my daughter, Meagan Katherine, reach many milestones. I will never forget the first time she called me “Daddy,” her first steps, and when she became potty trained. Her words “I can do it” were spoken with insistence; she wanted the chance to accomplish by herself […]
Why I Love Grandma (Original Introduction, 2003)
Thanksgiving is a reunion holiday for my family. It is a time when three generations converge on one house to laugh, play, talk, sing, and share a few enormous meals together. Biscuits as big as your fist with butter and homemade preserves for breakfast, and turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, bowls and bowls of vegetables, and […]
Why I Love Grandpa (Original Introduction, 2003)
Prominent in my home is a handsome dining table made of heart of pine. Large enough to comfortably seat ten adults, it is affectionately referred to as the “Table of Hearts.” My grandfather made it for my mother over 35 years ago, and she has given it to me. Built of salvaged wood, its top […]
Why a Baby Needs a Mommy
Perhaps the most joyous moment of my life was when I held my newborn daughter for the first time. In the world only a few minutes, a nurse held her out to me, wrapped snug in a keeping blanket. I eagerly but cautiously reached out and accepted her, taking great care to support her with […]
Mom’s Little Angel
Almost immediately after the publication of my first book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad: A Hundred Reasons, a book I wrote for my daughter Meagan, I began to receive email from readers asking, “What about moms?” Some were simply curious if a daughter-mom book was on my radar screen, others were rather indignant I […]
Daddy’s Little Girl
For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to write a book. Although I am a terrible speller and not a particularly skilled storyteller, the idea of seeing my own words on bound paper has always been very appealing to me. I had no clue, however, of what to write about. Years passed […]
Why I Love You (original introduction, 2005)
One of life’s great experiences is falling in love so deeply one cannot imagine ever being without the other. Whether a first love, a new love, or a rekindled love, we universally experience the wonderful feelings that come when we find that special person – the intense feelings of attachment, the euphoric passion, the promise […]
Why a Son Needs a Mom (original introduction, 2004)
On my mantelpiece rests an aging photograph of my mother that was taken as she was about to graduate from high school, a few short years before she chose to alter her life and become a mother. She was beautiful then, with hair that fell upon her shoulders, big eyes that reassured, and a smile […]