“The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them – words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than living size when they’re brought out. But it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away. And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, I think. When the secret stays locked within not for want of a teller but for want of an understanding ear.”

— Stephen King

Latest Posts

  • Eastern Washington – Year 6

    The summer before my sophomore year of high school was much like the previous summer vacations. I had stopped delivering newspapers as that job conflicted with the family schedule. My brother was home from college and his routine was much… Continue reading

  • Eastern Washington – Year 5

    Year 5, the beginning of high school. I remember being told by an upperclassman that our class was the worst class ever to enter high school. That put the bar high for assimilating into the high school culture. We were… Continue reading

  • Eastern Washington – Year 4

    Year four was one of change. My brother left for college in early fall. There were several from the church who had graduated and gone on to college. The youth group shrunk considerably which also impacted the church dynamics. Having… Continue reading

  • Eastern Washington – Year 3

    The big trip to the east coast came to a close. The summer routine resumed. Dad and my brother worked harvest. The days were long and my sister and I were left at home with Mom. The trip had been… Continue reading

  • Eastern Washington – Year 2

    Finishing fifth grade, it was time for summer vacation. I would have a break from school and spent most of my time at home. I saw a handful of neighbors that also attended school. There were some who lived across… Continue reading

  • Eastern Washington – Year 1

    While northern Idaho had forests and greenery eastern Washington was a stark contrast. The driving economical force was farming. The rolling hills were either fields for farming or were unfit for farming because of large rocks and sage brush. When… Continue reading

  • Northern Idaho

    The move across country brings the image of the Beverly Hillbillies arriving in California. The five of us, our dog and all of our belongings made the trip in six days. No air conditioning in the car made for long… Continue reading

  • Doctrinal Background

    In order to understand my story I will speak to the religious doctrine which my parents believed and adhered to. 1. Salvation from hell required a person to be “saved.” Altar calls were a standard to measure the sincerity of… Continue reading

  • Early Years of Marriage

    Mom got pregnant shortly after the wedding. In the fall they settled into a small Air Stream trailer on the Bible college campus. They socialized with other couples and remained connected with these friends throughout the years. Thanksgiving that year… Continue reading

  • Family Struggles: A Mother’s Journey Through Hardship

    Mom’s story is more difficult to write about for reasons that will unfold over time. She was the third of four children. A depression era child impacted by the lack that the entire country experienced. Depending on who you talked… Continue reading

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