Boot Camp

My son began boot camp this week, his initiation into the military culture in preparation for the Coast Guard Academy this fall. I'm impressed that he was selected by the Academy for a full ride, four-year college education--this is quite an accomplishment. However, as his dad, I do wonder what will happen to his human spirit during the next seven weeks of hazing and indoctrination. Will this serve as the first step in becoming another cog in the military machine, or will he engage his intellectual, creative capacities to learn about himself, others, and the world?......Most likely I'm missing it all together and he'll simply come away from these weeks with his story. Will I listen?

Asa King

Asa and friend landed a king at Willow River yesterday. He was thrilled!

Compassion is action

I attended a presentation this morning and was reminded that compassion is action: listening to a friend's story, holding a frightened child, picking up a piece of trash. When asked if we would share personal examples, I immediately thought about the night a few weeks ago, when I was still hurting from surgery, I slowly made my way into a chair at the dinner table. Just as I was settling in, out of the blue my four-year old daughter, Eva, gently placed a pillow against my back. Without deliberation, she saw a need and simply took action. That's compassion.