A declaration of independence

Each year on July 4th, United States citizens celebrate independence. In 1776 in Philadelphia, the Second Continental Congress drafted and adopted a statement that we call the Declaration of Independence. The thirteen colonies announced liberation from British rule, forming what became the United States of America. But of course, you know that… The holiday inspired me…

Reinventing yourself

Unlike Bill and Kris featured in Parts 1 and 2 of this Transitions series, Brenda chose another way, a “turn-key” sabbatical experience as a way of pausing to discern the next steps in life. Pondering retirement from the US Army, Brenda wasn’t sure how the post-military phase of her life would unfold.  A friend recommended that…

Magical thinking

Some incidents from chaplaincy are unforgettable. One was watching a woman get cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) — three times over the course of a day. Twice, she was resuscitated. Death won the last match-up, but not without a fight. Before the attending doctor instructed the code team to stop, the woman’s abdominal area looked like a…

Guess What? ‘Boomers’ don’t want to be called OLD!

First we had a problem with being called “Grandma” and “Grandpa”, coming up with such creative names as “GranMo”, “Z” and “Sweetums”. (I drew the line at Grandude and G-dawg.)  Boomers Name Themselves. Now we have a problem with being called “Senior Citizen” “Elderly” and “Golden Ager”.  Forget ‘Seniors’ Aging Boomers Search For A Better…

How the story ends

What comes next after raising a family and producing at work? The children are launched; the career ladder is scaled; the future is open. What will be our narrative as we get older? This is the question facing adults as we enter our so-called retirement years. Psychologist Erik Erikson’s theory of psycho-social development suggests that…