RickPage

Hard Things November 26, 2018 “So it isn’t the masses who are to blame for demanding rubbish, but rather those who aren’t capable of providing them with anything else.”  ―  Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra,  Don Quixote The sheriff's deputy, my companion this mission, knew too well the pain we were about to bring. My concern was as much for her as for the occupant inside the modest home. We met at the property and I wondered at the reactions a patrol vehicle might elicit - they are too often harbingers of doom. This time would be no different as we woke the young mother and broke the news to her that her oldest had taken his life the night before. As if in a tragic reversal of the birth process, her agony continued as her husband arrived - called home from work - the pain repeated as the words were repeated, then again as their remaining sons arrived early from school. Much time we spent together in the coming days and weeks as they moved from shock and loss to bew

"Prayers, Please - Epilogue" November 12, 2018 Kamdyn I told you his story last week but did not give you his name.  I wanted to protect them in the midst of social media abuses.  His family thinks that it is important you to know his name, and they want that his story be told.  In his short life he touched many lives.  So, allow me to tell the story of a too short life.  But first, it is important that you know his name was Kamdyn. Day One Kamdyn was born at 4:36 PM Central Time in a small town in Tennessee.  His first night was not like others  - spent with his mom and dad in the serene comfort of a maternity ward's carefully designed room.  No, Kamdyn was rushed by ambulance to another city, Mom was left behind to recuperate from surgery, to weep and to worry about the life of her newborn son who could not breathe on his own.  Friends shuttled his father to the university hospital, to begin the long wait and to himself ponder the fate of his son.  His

Prayers, Please November 6, 2018 The Waiting Room I entered the waiting room to find a family I know and love.  I knew their doctor too, or at least know of him.  His father is a friend of mine.  The doctor was kneeling down, looking to the fifteen or so people in a half circle around him.  He is wrapping up the final report of the delivery, mom will be okay, but....  Well, her current state - emotional, mental, spiritual and of course physical well-being are affected by what is happening on the other side of the glass, blinds drawn and the life-or-death struggle on the other side.  It is quiet, save for the other family in the room, children scampering about and joyful sounds made for a stark contrast between the two families.  My family, many members of our congregation are red-eyed.  Well, that describes the women.  The men are typically stoic, mostly they appear to be in a state of shock, staring at the floor even as the doctor speaks.  He gets up to leave and I go to th