Wisdom of the Wounded

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about father,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.”

Deanna Thompson has stage IV breast cancer and has written a book about her journey.  The book’s title is Hoping for More. Deanna’s insights are for everyone who has ever struggled with serious illness or loved someone who has, which means that this book is ultimately for everyone. “You don’t look sick,” was a common […]

Author Stephen Levine asks the question, “If you had an hour to live and could make only one phone call—who would you call, what would you say, and why are you waiting?" Stephen continues, “Who knows what we are waiting for? Perhaps we want to believe we will live forever, or that “someday” we will get around to telling the people we love, just how much we love them. Whatever the reasons, most of us simply wait too long. "

Jesus tells us, “Love your neighbor,” and he does not add: “when you feel like it.”

Deanna Thompson, Professor of Religion at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, has written a book about her journey with Stage IV breast cancer. The title of her book is Hoping for More: Having Cancer, Talking Faith, and Accepting Grace

In her book Deanna talks about the importance of being there for a friend who is suffering. Following is one example she gives:

At the end of one’s life, we will not be concerned with (1) how many times we went to a shopping mall, or (2) how many rounds of golf we played, but rather the important question will be: Did my life make a difference?

Consider telling someone this week they made or are making a difference in your life. One way to do this is to write an “I Remember” letter. The following is an example of an “I Remember” letter I wrote to an older friend, Rickie:

“When God measures a person, God puts the tape around the heart instead of the head.” - Author Unknown

President Lincoln had the wonderful ability to laugh at himself, especially his own physical appearance. When Senator Stephen Douglas once called him a “two-faced man,” Lincoln responded, “I leave it to my audience. If I had another face, do you think I would wear this one?”

I was in Meijer grocery store (which is always a bit overwhelming for me).  I was looking for cakes for Steve’s birthday, and a hand grabbed mine.  It was a little boy (7 or 8 years old) asking if I could help his mom.  I said, “yes;” so, I left my cart and went to the next […]

By Cindy Terlouw One year ago after a short hospital stay, we brought our dear mother to a nursing home facility in the town where she was born and raised.  The doctors informed us that she was very fragile due to conditions surrounding congestive heart failure. After 66 years of marriage and having never spent […]

“Just Do It!”  Don’t think some more about it or plan to do it another day or wait until the sun is shining.  “Just Do It.  Today.” Do you procrastinate?  The cure for procrastination is that popular Nike ad:  “Just Do It.”  Yesterday I did it.  I visited Ruth who is alone and lonely.  Ruth […]

The power of the human touch is vital. Several sources suggest that everyone needs at least four hugs a day for healthy survival, 8 hugs a day for emotional strength and 12 hugs a day to really grow. Start hugging. Start by hugging your children and your spouse. . . .12 hugs a day! What a difference you will make in their lives.