In 47 years of marriage, he has learned that God’s grace has many forms, including that gift “… And it’s the way that she looks with the rice in her hair” By George Valadie “Eating burnt suppers the whole first year “And asking for seconds to keep her from tearing …
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‘I just hate it when He talks like that’
A columnist hopes Christ’s words leave open room for a comeback when he makes mistakes By George Valadie A confession: the homily wasn’t speaking to me. So, I found myself leafing through the parish bulletin from this church we were visiting before also thumbing through their missalette, looking ahead to …
A child’s sacrament recalls another years ago
A grandson’s first Communion brings back memories and evokes prayers for the youth By George Valadie It was May 1961, so a good many of the details escape me now. But it was when my second-grade classmates and I received our first Holy Communion. It was the third of five …
‘Most everything’s working. It’s all good’
God would love to ‘climb out of bed, survey the universe,’ and think those words to Himself By George Valadie I’m not the weather fanatic my wife is, but I know this much: if our daughter in Little Rock gets hit by something crazy, odds are pretty good Chattanooga is …
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It’s hard being George during Lent
Seeing people doing something for somebody else could be his way to get ‘closer to God’ By George Valadie I just don’t know what I’m going to do,” my wife uttered with a stressful tone of indecision heading downhill toward frustration. “I don’t know whether to wear my jeans or …
Retirement in the Valadie household
Quibbles about ballgames and TV shows aside, there is thankfulness for good health By George Valadie Hey, will you turn the game up?” “2 o’clock, I think.” “What?” “2 p.m. Can’t you hear?” “What?” “What?” “What are you talking about?” “Katy said his game is at 2. Isn’t that what …
Old friends can be new ones again in 2024
This new year, he plans to ‘reach out and touch’ at least one acquaintance from days gone by By George Valadie Happy New Year! Though it’s barely two weeks old, I hope 2024 has already started you well down whatever path you envisioned might lay ahead. There’s certainly no shortage …
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New grandbaby is off to a pretty good start
She hasn’t been born yet but already has family love, saintly love, and God’s love By George Valadie Like many young marrieds in this country, our youngest, Sarah, and her husband, Keith, were living in an apartment but longing for a house. I don’t think I’m revealing any deep financial …
God is like Google Maps, only better
Both use different voices to convey helpful suggestions, such as ‘make a U-turn right now’ By George Valadie It’s been a crazy few weeks on the road to be sure. After months of anticipation, our oldest daughter and I got to travel to and through southwest Ireland and along its …
Adventures in flying to and driving in Ireland
Over a 9,000-mile round trip, he doesn’t worry about who is in charge of the travelers’ safety By George Valadie The last time I wrote in this space, I was commenting on the challenges and resulting stress for those who need to travel by air these days. Though it’s probably …
Sitting around: at the movies or an airport
Spending time with grandkids or waiting on a flight—we should enjoy the journey that is life By George Valadie One of the real pleasures in my life is going to the movies. Good or bad, long or short, buttered or plain, I’ll go see just about anything. At least I …
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He may be no saint but thinks like one
A recent acquaintance commits to a two-year sponsorship of a Ukrainian family By George Valadie Joe’s no saint, said so himself. Though I myself have never met one to compare. But I’m thinking he thinks like one might think. To be honest, I don’t really know Joe all that well, …
