For years, I’ve told people, “Be grateful for Satan—it’s a lousy job but someone has to do it.” In Latter-day Saint theology, opposition to righteousness is absolutely required: “For it must needs, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Nephi 2:11). According to the prophet who said this, without opposition there can beContinue reading “Satan Has a Lousy Job but Someone Has to Do It”
Tag Archives: Family
Dark Kermit and Fried Turkeys
Years ago, Grant was a freshman at Silver Lake Regional High School. Midway through the season, he was called up to the varsity to play defensive line. This meant that he got to ditch halftime band performances where he was supposed to play clarinet. He saw a lot of action in the Thanksgiving game, whichContinue reading “Dark Kermit and Fried Turkeys”
Tradition and the Many First Thanksgivings
My sister-in-law Lee has lived all over the United States ranging from Boston to Provo to Tallahassee to Big Rapids (that’s in Michigan) to Cherry Hills (New Jersey, near Philly). Wherever she moves she then claims that her current home is the site of the first Thanksgiving. Then she cites obscure facts to back itContinue reading “Tradition and the Many First Thanksgivings”
Mental Puddle
There’s an old Bill Cosby sketch where he talks about raising a son (yes, I know … Bill Cosby; don’t @ me—it’s a good sketch and we’re not debating art from fallen artists here). Not quoting, but he says something like, “Your boy is born. As soon as you can, you put a walnut inContinue reading “Mental Puddle”
Nimrod the Mighty Hunter
I am going hunting this week. This is a great source of mockery and fun for the kids. I have had a hunting license for probably twelve or thirteen years. I have an archery tag, turkey tag, and an antlerless deer tag (the license comes with two buck tags). I own no rifles or shotgunsContinue reading “Nimrod the Mighty Hunter”
Praise God
Grant has never slept in. It never mattered what time he went to bed—he was always up at first light, usually around six am. We’d hear his feet hit the ground, the patter of his sprint, then feel the collision as he jumped on me and exclaimed, “Hi, Dad!” This weekend, we traveled to PoughkeepsieContinue reading “Praise God”
You Want Something?
When Grant was little, he spoke primarily in second person even when he wanted something. He did this in both English and Spanish. He would ask Lauren, “You want a cookie?” and he would ask me, “Quieres galleta?” Of course, he was entirely uninterested in whether we wanted cookies—he wanted them. For years, I wonderedContinue reading “You Want Something?”
We Need an Intervention
Periodically, at the absolute peak of his playfulness, Dobby attacks my shoes or pant legs, then breaks into a full-on zoomie (as seen in the video). If you’re not a dog person, a zoomie occurs when a dog begins racing around madly, often in a circle. The term zoomie is widespread on the Internet, andContinue reading “We Need an Intervention”
I Am the Christmas Creep
When Dobby goes to the groomer, they always tie on him a little bandana in the spirit of whatever time of year it is. So yesterday, he got a fall bandana with pumpkins, gourds, and falling leaves. I was chopping vegetables for meals this week, and I had turned on a Christmas playlist. Graham wanderedContinue reading “I Am the Christmas Creep”
The Haunting of Greenhill Manor
Our house is only twenty-three years old, we know the last owners, no one has died in it, and aside from being on Wamsutta’s and Metacomet’s old hunting ground, we know of no reason that it should be haunted. And yet. Last night, the house alarm jarred us awake at 1:45 am. This has happenedContinue reading “The Haunting of Greenhill Manor”
His Smile Lit Up a Room and Other Things to Say at My Funeral 