Full of Years

If you value people who are older—and also your own aging—these entries will help you rejoice in the fullness of this stage of life: its gritty realities, secret joys, hidden spirituality and cherished moments—reasons to be grateful that old age is always a gift from God!

F

Latest Entries

November 30, 2023

Finding hope in TV commercials

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words
November 30, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
30November

In our family, the sound gets turned off during TV commercials. It recently occurred to me that these soundless visual stories are doing more than selling products. Many of them may depict lived-out hope! I see a lot of ads related to health, automobiles, medical conditions, insurance and legal help. I witness pleas from charities and other non-profits, teasers for coming shows and a smatteringMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 27, 2023

A season for waiting

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time
November 27, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
27November

In its original manifestation—4th century CE—Advent was the time for converts to Christianity to prepare themselves for their baptisms at Epiphany. That ancient practice might be helpful as we try to wrestle with the current state of the world, and our place in it. Some personal thoughts…. Back in my halcyon days, waiting could feel like a waste—”So much to do and so little time.” IMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 20, 2023

Numbering our days

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Pleasure/Pain, Soul Searchings
November 20, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
20November

(As this year’s calendar winds down, I hearken back to Psalm 90 , a lifelong favorite. One of its  thoughts has stayed with me all my life: “So teach us to number our days, that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom.” [KJV}  Today some thoughts about day-numbering.) As I’ve grown older, I’ve often found myself “numbering my days.” For me, that means taking stock of how time is passing, perhapsMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 16, 2023

Thankswriting

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Words
November 16, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
16November

One of Chicagoland’s best newspaper columnists is a guy named *Neil Steinberg. Like all good writers, he’s nimble with words. His faith, heritage and life experience have rendered him wise, empathetic and honest. His columns consistently shine light on difficult subjects, and he showers kindness on under-appreciated facets of civic life. He’s transparent about his emotions, his struggles and hisMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 13, 2023

An elderly nudge

By Bob Sitze
In Death/Dying, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Relationships, Soul Searchings
November 13, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
13November

In times of high anxiety—right now?—two of our core capabilities may be at risk: Agency and motivation. (“Agency” identifies our power to affect change, in ourselves or others. “Motivation” is an inner trait that positively alters our willingness to act.) Why might this diminishing of capabilities be happening? The isolating fear of disease, danger or death during COVID19 may have taken away ourMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 9, 2023

Clustered prayers

By Bob Sitze
In Lifestyle, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings, Words
November 9, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
09November

Lately, my times of prayer seem to be interwoven with memories of time-and-place experiences in life. These reveries include entire clusters of beloved people. (For example, when I remember our San Leandro, California years, my mind gathers together Rich and Gretchen, Liz and Larry, Mary and Jim, Barry, Ralph, Sandy, Linda, Wendy, Aunt Mona, Chris and our kids, and my 3rd-4th graders—and theMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 6, 2023

Staying on track

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings
November 6, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
06November

Lately I’ve felt nudged towards thoughts and attitudes that in other times I would have called unhinged. Chaotic international and domestic events highlight supposed leaders whose pronouncements seem deranged. (For example, competing national leaders trumpet the supposed benefits of oppression and/or aggression. Incoherently angry people gather followers and legitimacy. Self-destructiveMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
November 2, 2023

Can I get some pity here?

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Mind/Body, Words
November 2, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
02November

(While knee-deep in preparation for All Soles Day observances, I came upon this idea that was tiptoeing around inside my neuronal interweavings.) Lately I’ve noticed that I’m not getting the amount of sympathy that I think I deserve. To correct this deficit, I want to share with you the results of a recent X-ray of my left foot, revealing the following pathos-worthy conditions. Mild degenerationMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
October 30, 2023

The soul of reformation

By Bob Sitze
In Lifework, Soul Searchings
October 30, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
30October

  Reformation Day (or Sunday) has always been a big deal for me. I’m a Lutheran by birth, and carry with me high emotion about all the cultural trappings that come with this day’s observances. As I’ve grown older, though, something else has tugged at my heartstrings: This isn’t just an ecclesiastical celebration—it’s personal, too. I’ve inherited some of a reformer’s calling, certainly, butMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment
October 26, 2023

Off-the-rails ministry

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, For Caregivers, Personal Power, Relationships
October 26, 2023
2 Min Read
Add Comment
26October

  It’s difficult to be a pastor in normal times, but that ministry may be even harder right now: Some members and their enterprises are coming undone. Those of us who try to care for others may encounter individuals whose mental states seem to be coming off the rails. As your pastor may be experiencing, that’s tough work. What, then, can we do for our cherished leaders? A few thoughts comeMORE...

Read onRead laterAdd Comment

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

Recent Posts

Blog Topics

Archives

Get in touch

Share your thoughts about the wonder of older years—the fullness of this time in life—on these social media sites.

Receive Updates by Email

* indicates required