Author Archives: mysilentpew

This time of year, I am asked the question, “What are you thankful for?” quite often. One of my friends sends me a written copy of his Sunday sermon on Saturday evening so that I might read it beforehand and be able to follow along as it is delivered live.  This week during his ThanksgivingContinue reading “Thankful”

Thirty-six years ago, my two college roommates, a business associate, and I decided to take the Friday preceding my birthday off work and play thirty-six holes of golf. We enjoyed the respite from work, the opportunity to have a full day of talking during a friend’s backswing, and the general fellowship of hanging out withContinue reading “Then Sings My Soul…”

Elizabeth and Katherine. My kids both have nine letter first names.  After naming Elizabeth, my wife considered this to be a relatively large factor in choosing baby names (not that nine letters is magical, but rather continuity if both had nine letters).  I simply liked the names… But if we had been blessed with anotherContinue reading “Grace”

My wife shakes her head so much when I tell stories that I often wonder if she was actually in attendance with me when these stories took place.   Perhaps it’s perspective, perhaps it’s my faulty memory, or perhaps it’s a little of both.   I do know for a fact that the older I get, theContinue reading “Shake, shake, shake…”

I was never very musical growing up, couldn’t get the beat, more likely to carry a piano than carry a tune, not much of a dancer, but after I became deaf, I realized that one of the things that I missed the most was music. Last week, I read an article on the internet aboutContinue reading “Keep Smiling, Keep Shining”

I am not big on birthdays in general.  I appreciate the thought and crave the attention, but the reality is that I probably prefer the cake to the presents and cake is not my favorite. Oh, some birthdays are more memorable than others.  My tenth birthday was spent on the beach in Galveston, TX andContinue reading “The Birthday Gift”

Sunday, 4:30 a.m.  A flashing light captures my attention from behind closed eyelids.  Rain is predicted so it could be lightning.  A quick survey reveals that it is the emergency alert indicator on my cell phone.  I check the screen to see an ASL interpreter signing: “The National Weather Service has issued a Flash FloodContinue reading “Amazing Grace”

My brother-in-law, Lee, emailed me a link to an Alan Jackson music video last night.  Usually, I don’t spend much time on that type of thing, but Lee doesn’t send me many emails and the tag line of this one said ‘5 Stars’.  The song title, The Older I Get, wasn’t familiar. I double checkedContinue reading “Someday I’ll understand that…”

American Sign Language. I am still learning. I like signs that somewhat reflect the word. The sign for milk for instance, mimics milking a cow. Easy to remember, right? However, many ASL signs are similar, and some signs might be the same but have different meanings based on context.  For instance, the sign for ‘handsome’Continue reading “Fabulous…say it again…”

You don’t know me.  We crossed paths earlier today.  As I think back on our brief encounter, I suspect that I likely talked right over your attempt to introduce yourself and I am sorry for that.  I unintentionally do that sort of thing much more often now that I am deaf.  I voided a basicContinue reading “Been there..”