When I was growing up, I watched a TV show called This is Your Life. It was an American reality documentary series broadcast on NBC radio from 1948 to 1952, and on NBC television from 1952 to 1961. It was originally hosted by its creator Ralph Edwards. During the program, the host surprised guests and …
Author: Robert
Sometimes
When I met Ruth, she was as liberal as any of the women I knew. Although I don’t think she ever burned her bra like others from our youth, she supported those who did. When we started teaching, women had to wear skirts or dresses. There were no pants allowed. During our third or fourth …
A Life She Loved
I’ve received a ton of support since losing Ruth over eight months ago. I sometimes still find myself thinking “Is this real? Is this really how life is going to be?” I know it is, but it’s still a bit overpowering. I received the following note from a friend shortly after I arrived in Florida …
$15
Shortly after I graduated from high school my parents started charging me $15 a week for room and board. The collections began around the first of July in 1965. I had a job, so they charged me what they thought was a reasonable fee. My living conditions didn’t change. I still had my own room, …
Roommates?
Brady plans to go to Grand Rapids Community College next fall. He was recruited to play on the basketball team with a promise that the coach would help get him to the “next level”. We’ve discussed potential career paths, but right now he, like thousands of other graduates across the country, isn’t committed to one. …
A Voice From My Past
Editor’s Note: Ruth is messing with me again. The story looks fine while I’m writing it, but it runs together when I post it. Sorry, it’s difficult to read. I don’t know about you, but my social media accounts send me unsolicited flashbacks. Some are called “Remember this day?”, or something similar, and they show …
Trombones
I’ve been waiting to use this word since I started writing my blog in the fall of 2017. I had planned to use it on Ruth’s birthday in April, but I had to wait until I turned 76. Ruth would have made it first, but I passed her by. For those of you who may …
Graduation Day
Brady graduates tomorrow. It’s going to be a bittersweet day. I’m happy for him, but I know I’ll be emotional because Ruth won’t be sitting next to me. She loved her three grandchildren with her whole heart. If she was here, she might be tempted to let out one of her classic WHOOOOP, WHOOOOP cheers. …
Our Wanderer
Elizabeth was about eighteen months old when she took her first solo road trip. We’d been to visit my mom and dad to show off our two-month-old addition, Michael. My Uncle Harry and Aunt Phyllis dropped by and, as they were leaving, asked Elizabeth if she wanted to go home with them. She did. That …
Just a Heads Up
I’m going to change my Facebook profile photo in a few days. I thought I’d give you a heads up. I had a picture of the Grand Canyon for a while. I moved it to become the backdrop of my home page. I followed that with a family photo of our clan and updated it …