As part of a fun craft project, my son recently made a giant turkey out of paper and taped it to the wall. It has big eyes and a little wattle. Each day, my son cuts out a new feather…
Year: 2020
Reflections on Being a FirstGen Student
My spouse and I are first generation students. While two of my siblings did graduate from college after I did, my spouse’s siblings did not attend college. My spouse’s parents were extremely proud of him. My parents were just confused……
Shine Without Ceasing
It’s a time of division. This is true. I write this Chaplain’s Corner before the results of the presidential election. I write this in a time when friends and families are torn, an era ripe with anger and reaction. I…
Deep Suffering and Great Joy
In graduate school, I worked as a chaplain in a large hospital, and once a week would work a 24-hour shift covering the entire hospital. One late evening I got a page (yes, we used pagers) to visit a woman…
Critically Thinking About the Ordinary, Vol. III
During opening remarks in our recent student development division meeting, Dean Smith asked, “Who do you want people to say you are?” He concluded the meeting with, “Show students how to have good and hard conversations.” Dr. Smith is known…
Walking in Peace
I rewrote this Chaplain’s Corner four times. I could not get the message right or the theme seemed off. Then, I decided to get out of my head and to look into my heart and to speak as a spiritual…
Grace the Dog: A Reflection on Grace
My dog Grace has become accustomed to having someone at home with her at all times. Grace loves going on errands to pick up the grocery order or take the recycling. She becomes noticeably anxious when someone leaves the house,…
Critically Thinking About the Ordinary: Vol. II
Six months. It has only been six months. Some days are good… and things happen which are incredible, and wonderful, and life-giving. Other days are not good. It takes everything I am just to shower, put on a fresh change…
In All Its Fullness, May Peace Be With You
While in graduate school, I happened to live in one of the most racially diverse zip codes in Chicago. The neighborhood prided itself on this little known fact. Only two blocks west of my apartment was a well-known Jewish neighborhood…
Learning to See No Stranger
I’m currently reading See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love by Valarie Kaur. I’m only halfway through, but it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Valarie Kaur is a civil rights activist,…
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