The last few months have been challenging, to say the least. Our lives have been turned upside down more than once… so obviously many projects have been put on hold, including my writing. I’ve been anxiously awaiting for the opportunity to update my Substack column and add to the library of articles and thoughts.
For the past 25 years, my wife and I have lived on the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas in Washington State, about two hours including a ferry ride west of Seattle. Most recently we lived in one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes on the Olympic Peninsula, the Sequim-Dungeness Valley at the foot of the Olympic Mountains and in full view of Vancouver Island and the gleaming city of Victoria, British Columbia just 26 miles away.
The past four years, we’ve lived in a multigenerational environment with my daughter, Angela, husband Luke and three granddaughters. Both of our families had our own space, but enjoyed weekly family meals and of course welcomed daily visits from the grandkids. We lived on almost three acres which included a pond with ducks, a constant flow of deer and eagles swooping down into the yard as our natural, daily entertainment. Deer hunting was a few steps out the door… which fed our family of seven each year. Venison makes great burgers, shish-ka-bobs (my favorite) and stew.
While life was quiet yet full of activity, we never imagined it coming to an end. But, in the spring of 2024, our son-in-law, Luke, was offered a pastoral position at Grace Church in West Seattle where he was family and youth pastor about five years ago. The offer from Grace was beyond their expectations so we were excited for the next chapter of their lives. Then, as part of their arrangement, they insisted on us moving with them… something we weren’t ready for, but God put it on our hearts and knowing that we were not getting any younger we also needed family around us.
So here we are in West Seattle… in a beautiful little bungalow that’s been remodeled to accommodate senior living and we are so grateful. And we are most comforted to know that Angela, Luke and the grandkids are just two doors away. Wow. And, Grace Church is right next door, so we’re more than blessed.
Then, two weeks after moving into our new place, in the midst of remodeling and before we were totally settled, BOOM… I had a major heart attack which resulted in quadrauple bypass surgery, of which the surgeon stated, “the most difficult heart surgery he’s done in seventeen years”. But God is always good and we were in good hands through it all. After several weeks in a skilled nursing facility, I am now in recovery at home surrounded by love and loved ones. My wife, Cherie, has been my angel through it all. I am so grateful to be home and getting back to doing the things I love and continue my small part to help advance the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven.
The Substack articles will continue… slowly, along with the gradual release of several books in the works… starting this fall.
Blessings to you all… and so grateful for your prayers.
SO greatful for your recovering Rich. Looking forward to continuing working and communicating with you. Ed