I realized she was a special person, then a precious individual, then after a time and observation, I realized she was a woman who loved unconditionally.

"What do you do for a living?"

"I murder babies, all day long, and I do so legally. It's part of a woman's health, you understand. Our leaders in DC determined it to be so."

Because the people thinking about politics are the same people passing laws that make killing a baby legal, I don't have the luxury of assessing their politics.

The governance of shame is meted out in ruthless self-criticism, condemnation, ranting, raving, self-cursing, and condescension.

Here's to my brother, the youngest, who lived, loved, and gave us his all: Wade Robert Gillham

Who won? Who lost? Here are the four biggest losers and four biggest winners. Least to biggest in each category, unfiltered, and to the best of my ability without bias.

"Four feet of water in the house, eight feet in Lesleigh's (daughter). Gutting the house Friday. You can stand me up at the gates of hell but I won't back down."

I entered higher education with the ability to think, but I didn’t have the skill of thinking critically. 

There was no one around but a male desk clerk sporting a ponytail. I’d heard the men were wearing those things out there, but I’d never seen one. A few of the hard-core Indians back home had long braids, but they were supposed to. This guy was my Dad’s age. 

I'm pretty certain my keyed colleague is free of what ails it, but I've not written for the same reason I wouldn't kiss you if I had a cold. 

The benefit of you reading what I write makes my privilege a true joy. I'm grateful for you.

Instead of sending my report to a few, I decided to post my notes here. Enjoy! And for the curious, only one fish was harmed in the catching. All the others are presumably still eating salmon eggs.

Each man labors under the weight of his own burden--except for David.  He carries his own as well as the yoke of grief that every man, woman, and child under his care feels.  Alone with the weight of the world, the fire illuminates his warrior face.  

Ever so slowly, like a locomotive turning the wheels of a loaded freight train, the strength of the Lord begins the process of reclaiming lost ground. 

If composed, the score for these words would read, "Andante with fortitude."  These weren't dance tunes.  These were steady, major chords of resolute encouragement.

It's not hard to see how some of David's most meaningful Psalms were penned during the days described in chapter 30.  And I'll tell you right now, I am going to sit next to David at dinner one of these days and get the unabridged version of the chase scene. 

In time, their wings grow stronger and their independence more confident.

Periodically, Wade writes a blog. There are a few posts that take you into the labyrinthine hallways of MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, but every post takes you to another place--a profound place--only the soul of Wade can go. 

Do you have a guarantee? Do you have a promise of some sort? Are you under contract with God—or do you have a covenant with Him? Does it matter?