Retrospective

The short, pictorial version...

Having a good time at Grandma's house.

Very early on, teasing my sisters became a favorite pastime. My sister, Steph's reaction here came to be a customary reaction from most all women I came to encounter over the years.

I have often assured both of my parents that how I turned out cannot possibly be blamed on them to any degree. They did the best they could. Mom especially provided a lot of love and encouragement. She always wanted the best for me.

Really, there was only the brief stint with the band, "Ralph and the Porcelain gods" during the one quarter freshman year at OSU. I played a little string bass in the OSU Concert band, a little bluegrass in the early eighties, and some guitar for the last 25 years. Pictured here is the "Blue Streak" who led the band in weird patterns on its way into Strobel Field in Sandusky, Ohio.

The best thing about college was the people who demonstrated the love of Jesus Christ to me, showing me how it worked in community. I committed my life to a pursuit of God at this point. In addition I picked up several degrees and numerous languages, most of which I have since forgot, but have looked nice on the resumes that got me my jobs.

My good friend and best man, Richard Brian Bello, who stood by me through it all, even after he moved to Texas to marry Bev and raise his wonderful kids. I owe everything I know about cooking to the Bello family. His Mom, Aunt and Grandma showed me how to and Rich showed me how NOT to.

In the 90's, when everyone else was making a fortune and investing in the bull market, I was paying attention to this kind of bull. It started in college with skits, the "Certain Ones" and "Ralph and the Porcelain Gods" musical groups, a mock Mideastern terrorist group (we had our pulse on the future) and other shenanigans. Mark is in computer programming in our church in Arizona with his wife, Kaye and kids.

I have been blessed with many good friends over the years, many of whom I wish I were stil in touch with more. Here, Chriso and PBo enjoy one of the numerous weddings of that decade when we are in our twenties.

I was married for a most of the nineties. It was a happy time with a lot of good times and trips to places like PEI, Stratford, Ontario and Boston.

Some of my best memories are from my Grandma and Grandpa's farm. Mom and Lea and Grandma are pictured here. We had lots of fun selling tomatoes, riding the tractor, running around in the barn and exploring.

Here I am getting my M.L.S. in 1997. Don is messing with me, but I am not angry, just bemused.

I have been active in the same church for almost 25 years now. Here is our brief foray into the Capital University area in the days of Miami Vice. Scary to think this guy is now my pastor, huh? Scarier yet for him to have to try to keep track of the guy in the Hawaiian shirt (me, about 60 pounds ago)

The Marshall side got together in Greensboro, NC a little time ago to celebrate Grandma's birthday. She is still very sharp of mind and full of spirit, and gets around OK too with plenty of rest. I had a wonderful time there in Spring of 2001

All you have to do in a boxing match or in life to win is to make sure that every time you fall, you get back up each and every time.  If you don't stay down, you're never out.  I am currently recovering from another big setback.  But what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.  Or, as the Bible says, "The righteous man falls seven times and rises again."

"There Is A Reason"

I've seen hard times and I've been told
There isn't any wonder that I fall
Why do we suffer, crossing off the years
There must be a reason for it all

I've trusted in You, Jesus, to save me from my sin
Heaven is the place I call my home
But I keep on getting caught up in this world I'm living in
And Your voice it sometimes fades before I know

Hurtin' brings my heart to You, crying with my need
Depending on Your love to carry me
The love that shed His blood for all the world to see
This must be the reason for it all

Hurtin' brings my heart to You, a fortress in the storm
When what I wrap my heart around is gone
I give my heart so easily to the ruler of this world
When the one who loves me most will give me all

In all the things that cause me pain You give me eyes to see
I do believe but help my unbelief
I've seen hard times and I've been told
There is a reason for it all