To My Brother, Two Years Later

Tom, it’s been two years now since you left us. Two years that have changed my world in ways I never could’ve imagined. Your absence has carved out a space in my life that still feels raw, still feels too empty. And in these two years, so much has happened that you should’ve been here … Continue reading To My Brother, Two Years Later →

Lesson in Love

There are moments as a parent that catch you completely off guard. Here’s one of them. I wasn’t trying to make a memory. I wasn’t thinking about anything profound. I was just being silly, trying to make my son laugh. But then I saw the look on his face — that wide-eyed, almost startled expression … Continue reading Lesson in Love →

Leader of the Pack

During our walk, something about Dacks caught my attention. His usual pattern of walking ahead, then doubling back, played out as it always has. But this time, when he turned, his focus wasn’t solely on Cassie, but also on Judah, our son. Dacks has always taken it upon himself to check in on the group, … Continue reading Leader of the Pack →

Held in the Stillness

The other night, after bath time, I found myself sitting on the bathroom floor, holding my son wrapped up in his towel. His tiny body relaxed into mine, the warmth of the bath still lingering. At 3 months old, he doesn’t know much about the world, but he knows when he’s safe, when he’s held … Continue reading Held in the Stillness →

Clarity in the Blur

It’s strange how blurry those first few weeks of recovery are. I know my wife was there—caring for me and our newborn—but if I’m honest, I barely remember most of it. The days in the hospital, the frustration of not being able to move, and the fog of constant pain all blend. But this photo… … Continue reading Clarity in the Blur →

The Road Between

Leaving camp is always tough. As I watched the last sunset over the Adirondacks, that familiar bittersweet feeling washed over me. The drive back to Chicago was long, but this time it was different—my wife and child flew ahead, leaving me to drive with my brother. It had been a while since we’d spent real … Continue reading The Road Between →

Hope in the Wreckage

At the start of the summer, life was supposed to be filled with joy, anticipation, and the excitement of new beginnings. My son was just three weeks old, and I was preparing to step into my responsibilities as the assistant camp director at Northern Frontier. But in an instant, everything changed. It was an ordinary … Continue reading Hope in the Wreckage →

Echoes of a 33-Year-Old

Turning 33, I am reflecting deeply on the life of Jesus, who also lived to this age. It’s remarkable how little we know about most of His life. Between the celebrated events of His birth and the start of His public ministry at “about thirty years of age” (Luke 3:23), the Gospels provide scant details. … Continue reading Echoes of a 33-Year-Old →

Pursuit of Excellence

There once was a park renowned for its serene beauty. At the park's heart is a quaint garden bordered by a once-proud wooden fence. Now, the fence is worn down, with broken slats, peeling paint, and a sagging gate that creaked with every gust of wind. Despite its condition, the fence was ignored, becoming a … Continue reading Pursuit of Excellence →

From Guilt to Grace

Judah’s Journey of Redemption Growing up with a brother is like having a built-in best friend and rival all rolled into one. My brother and I were no exception. We were always up to some adventure—or mischief—and one particular afternoon remains etched in my memory forever. We had this old wooden bunk bed that, depending … Continue reading From Guilt to Grace →