Discussions with Dr. D
Friday, October 18, 2024
Checking the Time
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Power Outage
Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Reading about the World - Weekly
Monday, September 9, 2024
Stories from the Retirement Files...
July 1st was my official retirement date from full-time ministry. I've been blessed with so many memories and precious moments I'd have to write a book to document them all. I've met so many people whom I have consider good friends. 34 years in full time ministry - yeah, it was an amazing journey.
But the journey has changed dramatically.
So quickly - it seems - I have been launched into the long and winding road of retirement. I have always felt confident about today and - quite frankly - about what tomorrow may hold. Retirement hasn't really altered those thoughts, but the transition feels different. I am still adjusting to this different pace I've been experiencing since July 1st.
Honestly, it doesn't feel like retirement because I am serving as a part-time pastor for the Kenyon United Methodist Church (meeting some very nice people in that church). I lead worship on Sundays and try to visit the community one day during the week. I also work about seven to nine days a month as a chaplain at the Mayo Hospital in Rochester (St. Mary's and Methodist), a fabulous location to continue to learn and be helpful to others in need.
Don't get me wrong... after ten months of anticipating retirement, I have been reunited with my beloved of fifty years (we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary in August). Nancy has done a terrific job of decorating and preparing our new home since last October - and I love the fact that we are first-time homeowners. I am thrilled with the realization that I live in the same town was one of my children and her family. I am also closer to my other daughter's family. I anticipate with a quickened heart the ability to travel to visit my son and his family who live in Florida (it hasn't happened yet, but I'm working on it). I have a great deal to be grateful for and I do have a thankful heart. God has been so good to us.
We've been working on the home we moved into this past year... replaced the carpeting with laminate flooring, installing a new bookshelf in my office area, a sewing center for Nancy. And a host of things that a new homeowner has to deal with - my new favorite place to shop is Home Depot. Even the greeter knows me by name.
"So, what's your problem?" - you might ask.
It's the adjustment. I remind myself that I've been in a community for 34 years... people whom you have walked with in faith, laughed with them, cried with them, been in service with them, challenged them, learned from them. I served in Worthington for eleven years - Emmanuel Church and Adrian for seven. I have come to realize how much I appreciated their friendship, their guidance, their faithfulness, their personalities, and their kindness and love. And truthfully, I miss all of that. I have yet to replicate those kinds of relationships. Like I said, it is an adjustment.
The other thing that has happened is one that I could not have expected. I've done more doctoring since retirement in June than I have at any time in the past. Just little things... edema in my leg, cataract in my left eye, colonoscopy, echocardiogram, diagnosed with sleep apnea, and an ultrasound on my leg. I think I'm okay, but it's just been a pretty thorough checklist to make sure that I am okay.
Welcome to the long and winding road of retirement, Daren.
Sunday, September 24, 2023
The Chosen
It's been "another" long time since I have written anything about anything. Truth be told, I've been a bit preoccupied, working on planning for retirement next year. More on that at another time. I felt compelled to sit down and write something about the streaming series that I have been watching. You may have watched it as well. It's called "The Chosen". You can watch it free on this link.
One promo says this about this acclaimed series about Jesus and his disciples: "A charismatic fisherman drowning in debt, a troubled woman wrestling with real demons. A gifted publican ostracized by his family and his people. A religious leader struggling with his beliefs. See Jesus through the eyes of those that met him." I'm not certain that this description does the series justice.
I have watched the first season (of three), and it has been very inspirational. Does it take some liberties with respect to character development? I should hope so. Watching how Peter's life is depicted makes perfect sense for the accounts we read about him in the New Testament. Nicodemus is shown as a teacher who truly desires to learn more about God's love for humankind. Matthew's background as a quirky tax collector is refreshing to watch.
The flashback moments revisit important moments that speak to what was happening in that current day: Jesus' teaching in the temple at age 12; Moses making the bronze serpent to save the people from snake bites; Jacob digging the well. It's a refreshing look at the old, old story that we have come to know so well. Perhaps too well. It's a joy to have your heart opened once again to the stories we have grown up with as a young child.
Sometimes I am too slow out of the gate. I know people have mentioned this series to me in the past. I would politely nod and move on with life, not taking their encouragement to watch this series to heart. I am grateful that I didn't wait too long. I recommend it to you. Don't procrastinate like I did. This is one series that is worth the time it takes to sit down and watch it! Trust me - you'll be glad you did!
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Music Appreciation 101
As I recall, it was a lot of fun, especially playing for the high school hockey games. We had a number of rivalry bands which (quite frankly) couldn't hold a candle to our pep band. Just sayin'.
Music has changed over the years. I can't say anything bad about the music of today - I just don't listen to it. However, if I were to offer a comparison, it would be that the music from my generation was perfect for its time. It was easy to understand the lyrics, which also spoke to the issues of our time. I guess all music does that, but the music of the 60's and 70's was stand-alone different. Perhaps there were subtle messages within the music here and there, but it seemed like that music had a decency to it that is not as apparent today. I'm not trying to rip on the music of today - I'm sure it has plenty of followers who will make the same claims years from now.
My brother had a maroon Olds F85 which had an eight-track player. I was sometimes allowed to drive it. There was nothing like driving in a car with an eight-track. You had to listen to the entire track to hear the favorite songs from that particular band. It only made sense that you would drive around in order to hear the music from the track. I think we called it "cruising" in the day.
Music of any kind really has a dynamic effect upon us as humans. It can take us back to a specific memory. It can brighten our day or make us more reflective. It can move us to action. According to some medical resources, music can provide a total brain workout. Research has shown that listening to music can reduce anxiety, blood pressure, and pain as well as improve sleep quality, mood, mental alertness, and memory.
Whatever your music of choice, I encourage you to listen to it more often. Turn off the tv. Play your cd or your mp3s on your favorite player. Go cruising to the music. You never know how it might affect you. It just might make your day a little brighter!