Posts

Make the Most of Today

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Life is a stage, and as we play our parts, we face the sudden and lingering exits of those we hold dear. The first loss we experience is often a relative, sometimes a friend.

As a young child, I was deeply affected by the death of my Great-Uncle Jadie Harris, though I don’t recall the details—only the weight of grief I was told I carried.

Last week, an unexpected lunch with childhood friends Pam and Bob Padgett brought back memories of another loss: Pam’s sister, Nancy Burgess, who succumbed to kidney failure. Our mothers were close, and we spent countless hours playing board games while they laughed and talked. Nancy’s death, the first of a playmate, shook me as a youth. Until then, death had been reserved for older relatives—great-great-aunts and uncles whom I adored, blessed as our family was with longevity.

In seventh grade, I recall a season when funerals seemed constant. When someone passed, our world paused. My parents consoled grieving families, helped with arrangements, or simply sat with them in silence. We children did our part, distracting younger cousins with games to shield them from sorrow.

As years passed, I noticed losses arriving in waves, marking generational shifts: first my great-grandparents, then grandparents, then aunts and uncles. Over the past decade, I’ve watched my own generation—and even some from the next—begin to depart. Just this week, two unexpected losses struck: a hometown friend whose dedication transformed our community, and a film industry colleague with whom I worked for over a decade to create opportunities for others.

Soon, I’ll attend one friend’s funeral to offer condolences and share memories with those who loved him. I’ll also call another friend who recently lost both his brother and wife, hoping light conversation might lift his spirits.

When we leave life’s stage, our role ends. Loved ones may mourn, but the world moves on. God doesn’t promise us tomorrow—only today, a gift to use well. Are you living fully in this moment? Are you lifting those around you?

Even a life as long as my friend Violet Hensley’s—109 years as an Ozark entertainer—passes in a blink from cradle to grave. So use today. Love with kindness, bless others, and live with purpose. Then, when your final curtain falls, the applause will echo.

Life’s Fragility and the Path Through Grief

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Life can change in an instant—a friend’s sudden passing or a loved one’s terminal diagnosis forces us to confront our fragility. Whether it comes from natural causes, an accident, or intent, death is part of life’s path.

Over time, I have lost parents, relatives, close friends, and acquaintances. Depending on their closeness, the impact on our lives varies.

Recently, I learned my cousin faces a dire cancer diagnosis with no clear medical path forward. In such moments, many of us turn to faith, praying for healing or strength, trusting in God’s plan, whatever the outcome. I have spent time in prayer for him and his family.

As believers, we seek miracles but also recognize healing can come through God’s tools—medicine, healthy habits, or spiritual practices. Caring for our bodies with proper nutrition and exercise strengthens us to face life’s challenges. A longtime actor friend of mine recently received a terminal diagnosis. He approached it by enhancing his already healthy lifestyle, making every effort to overcome it as mentioned above. I recently learned his efforts succeeded; the disease is no longer terminal.

Likewise, feeding our spirits with uplifting words, whether through scripture or inspiring stories, sustains our hope. Yet, even with prayer and effort, we sometimes lose those we love. I’ve been on both sides—praying for others and being prayed for during my own health scares. Each time, God granted me more time, perhaps because my work here isn’t done. But when loved ones leave us, their absence carves a new path we must walk alone.

Grief is personal, unfolding at its own pace. Days or months may pass, but one morning, the pain softens into cherished memories. I still remember the day I emerged from grief after my mother’s death. I found a new lease on life, inspired by her love for me.

We honor those we’ve lost by living fully, carrying their spirit in our hearts. Through faith and resilience, we find a new sunrise—a life that reflects the love they’d want us to share. We hold hope that God walks beside us through life’s darkest valleys. Some writers suggest He carries us through them, and I find great solace in that thought.

Notes: My cousin Shane Bruce mentioned above did pass with his family around him. My acting friend – Jeff Rose – is now sharing about his new lease on life in interviews and online. Find him and be inspired.

Loving beyond worldly measure

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Some of the most difficult times to watch are when someone we know is trying to be there for a loved one when he or she is coming to the end of his or her journey. As I think back through the years, I remember watching my mother and father as they reached out to support friends or relatives in such times.
If the loved one was elsewhere, they would close up the business, and off they’d go for an undetermined amount of time to just be present.
There to be called upon if needed for and extra pair of hands and legs to: run errands, do day-to-day tasks, cook, just simply sit,
talk, laugh, console, remember, and pray.
I saw my mother and father do this time and time again. I know they drew no financial benefit from what they were doing. Their only
requite was in knowing they were serving Christ with their actions.
Sometimes their presence reached beyond the caregivers to the patient and I know that brought a peace over each of them when they knew they comforted someone as they prepared to cross over.
As a small boy, I watched this routine many times as they said goodbye to former co-workers and neighbors, friends from throughout
their lives, and of course, relatives of every description who impacted their lives.
I vaguely remember one period in my childhood when I felt I was spending more time in hospitals and funeral homes than at school but
death comes at God’s appointment not on our timetables.
I am now at a similar point in time of my life as they were when they were saying goodbye to so many. So, I have become readily cognizant that like my folks, many of those I know are being called, some old, some young, but its seems more with every passing year.
As I reflect on what can I do to support their loved ones, I think back on the model that my parents gave me. I try to simply be present
whenever possible to offer support and help them walk down the path I have already walked. I know that hope, comfort and strength should be offered along the path and I only pray that I can be an instrument to provide some aspect of these to all concerned along the final journey.
Most of us know someone who is facing this point in life, what are you doing to support he or she, and his or her circle of caregivers?
I encourage you to find some way to make a difference; you may be able to leave a message of love that changes a life forever and
passes a legacy of love to your children as they see how you help others in a time in life we all must face.

Loving beyond worldly measure

/in /by

Some of the most difficult times to watch are when someone we know is trying to be there for a loved one when he or she is coming to the end of his or her journey. As I think back through the years, I remember watching my mother and father as they reached out to support friends or relatives in such times.
If the loved one was elsewhere, they would close up the business, and off they’d go for an undetermined amount of time to just be present.
There to be called upon if needed for and extra pair of hands and legs to: run errands, do day-to-day tasks, cook, just simply sit,
talk, laugh, console, remember, and pray.
I saw my mother and father do this time and time again. I know they drew no financial benefit from what they were doing. Their only
requite was in knowing they were serving Christ with their actions.
Sometimes their presence reached beyond the caregivers to the patient and I know that brought a peace over each of them when they knew they comforted someone as they prepared to cross over.
As a small boy, I watched this routine many times as they said goodbye to former co-workers and neighbors, friends from throughout
their lives, and of course, relatives of every description who impacted their lives.
I vaguely remember one period in my childhood when I felt I was spending more time in hospitals and funeral homes than at school but
death comes at God’s appointment not on our timetables.
I am now at a similar point in time of my life as they were when they were saying goodbye to so many. So, I have become readily cognizant that like my folks, many of those I know are being called, some old, some young, but its seems more with every passing year.
As I reflect on what can I do to support their loved ones, I think back on the model that my parents gave me. I try to simply be present
whenever possible to offer support and help them walk down the path I have already walked. I know that hope, comfort and strength should be offered along the path and I only pray that I can be an instrument to provide some aspect of these to all concerned along the final journey.
Most of us know someone who is facing this point in life, what are you doing to support he or she, and his or her circle of caregivers?
I encourage you to find some way to make a difference; you may be able to leave a message of love that changes a life forever and
passes a legacy of love to your children as they see how you help others in a time in life we all must face.