It’s a new year, a new decade, and a wonderful time to begin a new journey. Journeys are a major focus of this column. I love to explore the different journeys of our lives and how truths about these journeys can be found in the films we watch, the books we read and the music we hear. These are not, however, journeys that burn gasoline, earn … [Read more...]
Suffering and pain lead to a love deeper than simple happiness
As a nurse at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, my wife Linda has seen more than her fair share of pain and suffering. Beautiful, smiling children become sick and travel to the hospital for care and cures. Many leave the hospital after their stays and return home to happy childhoods and long lives. Some, however, succumb … [Read more...]
It takes faith & fortitude to be an Iron Man
In the Iron Man films, the second of which is currently in theaters, Robert Downey, Jr. portrays Anthony Stark, a brilliant scientist, engineer and narcissistic playboy who succeeds his father as the CEO of the family business. This business, however, is not a neighborhood hardware store; it’s a multi-billion dollar weapons manufacturer that … [Read more...]
There’s magic and personal enlightenment in Narnia
It’s a remarkable joy of parenthood to see one’s reflection in the lives of your children. Whether it’s a common habit, a shared outlook on life or similar ways to work out problems, it’s always great to see a little bit of myself in my children. I was in that frame of mind when I watched The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe last week. To my … [Read more...]