Entries in this category probe deeper thoughts about old age. Spirituality, self-image, relationships, hopes and yearnings — all the stuff of self-talk and core meaning for people who are older.
On Holy Cross Day (September 14), we honor Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. We thank God for Jesus’ willingness to endure a tortured death for our sakes. Centuries later, this day might also be set aside to observe the (holy) cross-bearing of those who sacrifice their well-being for the sake of others. This day could mark the suffering of anyone whose life is filled with sorrow—who carryMORE...
Another birthday’s edging this way, and once again I’ve noticed the small voice inside of me that marks the scope of my life. Unlike when I was younger, I’m not looking at a faraway horizon, an unimaginable ending. (I’m not anticipating my immediate demise, either.) These thoughts are somewhere in-between—more like measuring the present against the backdrop of time writ large. My lifespan as aMORE...
Dementia may be an unspoken matter that nags at our older adult well-being. It may also be one of those conditions I don’t talk about with others, perhaps unsure how to broach the subject. I know that this condition is broader than one specific disease—e.g., Alzheimer’s—and that only a percentage of older adults might have to deal with complete cognitive loss. I am also aware that medicallyMORE...
I’m big on imagination, mostly for neurobiological reasons. This past Sunday another idea popped up, part of the sermon preached by our new associate pastor. (Say hello to The Rev. Julie Peterson!) She noted that God’s grand vision—holy imagination?—could counter our worrying tendencies. In her sermon, Pastor Julie admitted that, like most of us, she is a worrier. A necessary-and-problematic partMORE...
Recently our congregation said goodbye to our interim pastor, Rev. Wende West. In one of her last sermons, she approached the Gospel (Matthew 11:16-19; 28-30) in her usual fashion, digging under the obvious to find useful Good News. Here Jesus encourages us to “take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” He also says that his yoke is easy. Hearing that idea again, I wondered, “What’s this ‘easy’MORE...
One consistent feature of the homes of older adults I’ve visited seems to be their collection of memorable photos–a gallery of loved ones’ portraits. There’s not much there in the form of action shots or story-starters, so the photos may seem only minimally evocative of memories or emotions. That viewpoint has changed as I’ve gotten older. Now I find myself occasionally lingering over myMORE...
My father taught me the value of insurance. Over the years, I’ve relied on the blessed assurance that our insurance policies would continue to serve as practical and emotional backstops to most losses we might incur. Now I’m not so sure…. A few weeks ago, several major insurers pulled back from their coverages. In California, it was new home owners policies. In Florida, both auto and home ownersMORE...
Todays’ entry’s title comes from Luke 21:24 (KJV), where Jesus assures his listeners that, despite all the strange things happening before he comes again, redemption (deliverance, salvation, rescue) is close at hand. You and I may have waited, perhaps for years, for (small and large) deliverance from irksome, dangerous or life-threatening circumstances that just don’t seem to go away. The rescuesMORE...
In the past, it would have been too easy for me to write this blog from an attitude of snarkiness, schadenfruede or false superiority. The more I read these columns, though, the more I see that they can be instructive, encouraging and even hopeful. See if my observations match some of your thinking…. My daily newspaper reading includes advice columns. The core content of advice-seeking letters:MORE...
This holiday offers us an opportunity to celebrate the example of national heroes, the people who we can hold up as truly great patriots. One problem, though: Some of our forebears were not saints. Thus this idea: Why not also think about truly admirable saints on this day? Unless you’re part of Roman Catholic traditions, you may not be aware of the multitude of named saints who have been part ofMORE...
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.