I was called to a ‘death scene’ some months ago. I have done this many times for area departments. Each situation is unique but all are tragic and life altering. And my role is always the same. I am there as a victim advocate first and primarily for those present at the scene. There are […]
When you hear the term ‘chaplain’ what comes to mind? Perhaps it’s depictions in media. Like Father Mulcahy in MASH. I’ve been a chaplain for area police departments for over two decades and here is what I have learned. First I feel great gratitude for the privilege of the role and the amazing experiences I […]
BUGS! Once when I was performing in Oklahoma, I had a close encounter of the worst kind! As I was about to put on my shoe, a huge brown spider crawled out of it! Unplanned contact with the animal world is one of my worst nightmares. Aside from the large, mindless predators who view me exclusively […]
I’ve been writing and speaking about social isolation for years. It’s our most significant health crisis. Finding solutions is challenging. Among the opportunities that people generally dismiss and ignore is participation in organizations and groups, populating our disconnected lives. And one of many opportunities to connect of course is in a faith community. That’s right […]
What do you think when you have momentary memory issues? You know, when a thought is ‘on the tip of your tongue’ but evaporates mid sentence? Do you attribute this lapse to your age or the start of failing capacity? Well, take a breath, step on the brakes and consider what else might be going […]
I was formally diagnosed with ‘severe’ Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD) in my seventies! I have coped with the condition without intervention my entire life and career. It has had a price. The clinician remarked that being a comedian and performing I was in an ideal career for managing and coping without formal treatment. […]
For many years I have been writing and speaking about the problem of social isolation that is pervasive, even epidemic in American life. My interest comes from my own lived experience. I grew up in New York and Long Island in our large Irish Catholic family. Our life was full, busy and crowded. The were […]
I can’t recall which comic said it first, but I remembered his self effacing line about being a professional standup. It was something like ‘I only work an hour a night. So I’m going to work, but I’ll be right back.” And he spoke for all of us in comedy. And for me it was […]
As we await the start of the next administration, the country remains evenly divided. While half the population is excited with anticipation the other half lives with worry and even dread. Whatever side you were on, moving forward will demand personal adjusting and coping. And unless you are an individual with relevant power and influence […]
Let’s be honest, this election was nothing like recent, past Presidential contests over my lifetime. Frankly I am alarmed by what we halve done here. For disclosure, I have always been progressive and leaning Democratic. But I was never rigid or rabid. Each time I had a preference for a candidate. I preferred Obama but […]