Category Archives: Grief

“Fire and Forgiveness” A Mix of a Boy’s Fascination with Fire and Problems That Never Seem to Go Away

Posted on October 2, 2026 by richrockwood

My three volume novel is a story about the struggles of Barry Brown, a Catholic boy’s fascination with candles and other sacred objects causing him many problems. It started when he served his first Mass. He had been excited to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Challenge, Choices, Faith, Fathers, Fathers and Sons, Forgiveness, Friendship, Grief, Healing, Life, Loss, Parenting, Peer Pressure, Prayer, Reconciliation, Rejection, relationships, Religion, Religious Heritage, Right Standing with God, Self-Worth, Sin, Symbols, Thankfulness, The Past | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Shower the People You Love with Love

Posted on December 23, 2024 by richrockwood

I did not realize it at the time, but when I kissed my wife Inga good-bye that morning in 2006, I would never see her alive again. She was on the way to compete with other Bridge players. I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Communication, Death, Family, Feelings, Grief, Letting Go, Loss, love, Marriage, Perspective, relationships | 2 Comments

Guest Blog-Dave Reichert, retired Senior Systems Engineer and Technical Writer, Hughes Aircraft Co. and Raytheon Corp

Posted on April 5, 2023 by richrockwood

A long time friend recently shared the article I’m including below. I wanted to pass it along.  As we approach this Easter Sunday, it’s easy to simplify the holiday with colored eggs, candy and family dinners. Perhaps we overlook Good … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adversity, Appreciation, Atonement, Belief, Bible, Bravery, Christ, Commitment, Crucifixion, Death, Easter, Eternal Life, Eternity, Evil, Faith, Forgiveness, Good Friday, Grace, Grief, Holy Week, Jesus, Messiah, New Covenant, Obedience, Passion, Reconciliation, Religion, Repentance, Sacrificial Lamb, Sin, Suffering, Worship | Leave a comment

The Loss of His Wife

Posted on August 29, 2019 by richrockwood

The Bible is filled with many stories of ordinary people struggling with the challenges of life.  Sometimes they are manageable and people get through using their wits and abilities.  Other times, the challenges are like arrows that stab, exhaust and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Anger, Bible, Choices, Conflict, Death, Depression, Disappointment, Family, Feelings, Fiction, Grief, Household, Loss, Memory, Perseverance, Sibling, Stress | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Where Did They Go?

Posted on July 27, 2017 by richrockwood

I was recently thinking about all the days that have slipped from the future through the present and are now in “the past.” On my birthday this past June my day count was 26,280. Where did all those experiences and … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Aging, Atonement, Attitude, Belief, Bible, Choices, Contentment, Death, Economy, Eternal Life, Fear, Grace, Grief, Heaven, Letting Go, Life, Memory, Old Age, Perseverance, Resurrection, Spirituality, The Past | Leave a comment

This Present Moment

Posted on March 20, 2017 by richrockwood

General Observations on Life: Observations on life and suggestions for a Happy Life.   The advantages of forgiveness, thankfulness.  The ability of family relationships to produce lasting pleasure versus the short pleasures of instant gratification.   When I was quite young, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Adventures, Aging, Appearance, Appreciation, Belief, Charity, Choices, Communication, Contentment, cool, Courage, Economy, Enjoyment, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Freedom, Grief, Happiness, Humanity, Humor, Imagination, Independence, Inspiration, Laughter, Learning, Letting Go, Loss, Orderliness, Passion, Principles, Reality | Leave a comment

Three Similar Stories, But Different Coverage for One: Are We Just a Statistic?

Posted on December 27, 2016 by richrockwood

  Over the last few days there have been three news items dealing with unexpected deaths that seem to have been given quite different treatments by the news media in America.  The first was the crash of a Russian airliner … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Belief, Conflict, Country, Culture, Death, Entertainment, Famous People, Grief, Humanity, Life, Loss, Military, Music, Peace, Politics, Russia, Self-Worth, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Second Look

Posted on December 5, 2016 by richrockwood

While I traveled through The back pages of my mind In search of something meaningful To calm my awareness of failure, I realized under layers of Forgotten dreams That my heart had been disappointed To the Point of Despair   … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Belief, Choices, Claustrophobia, Courage, Darkness, Depression, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Grief, Healing, Identity, Learning, Letting Go, Life, Memory, Morale, New Covenant, Peace, Perseverance, Persistence, Perspective, Quiet Time, Resolutions | Leave a comment

How Do You Set Up a Household?

Posted on May 27, 2013 by richrockwood

I have been asking myself this question lately, because my home feels comfortably set up.  Next month I will be married three years to Cindy.  Let me see if I can recall the steps involved in our setting up this … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adversity, Appearance, Christ, Contentment, Eternal Life, Grief, Heaven, Home, Household, Marriage, Peace, relationships, Seasons, Spiritual, Spirituality, Thankfulness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Put Your Hand in Mine

Posted on May 15, 2013 by richrockwood

To my dear wife:  I feel a rolling warmth through my being every time I put your hand in mine.  First I feel connected to you and then surrounded by you.  Why should this be if I am claustrophobic?  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Despair, Feelings, Gifts, Grace, Grief, Happiness, Healing, Life, love, Marriage, Memory, mercy, Miracles, Perspective, Praise, Prayer, Priorities, relationships, Restoration, Sleeplessness, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments