About Jim

I discovered a passion for spending time with folks going through difficult seasons following my retirement from Texaco after 33 years of service in 2002.  That passion is fueled by the frequent opportunity to connect deeply with people, even if only for a few minutes.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to exercise that passion in a number of ways.

  • Volunteer Lay Chaplain at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center for Lifeline Chaplaincy
  • Trainer for individuals preparing for Hospital Ministry for Lifeline Chaplaincy
  • Leader of a caregiving support group that has met weekly for three years
  • Leader of a weekly job seeker group (2002-2005)
  • Leader of a periodic grief support group
  • Shepherding elder at First Colony Church of Christ

Our family, probably like yours, has experienced difficult seasons.  That experience is a great teacher.  I’ve lost my mom, my brother, all of my grandparents, my father-in-law, and my dad’s second wife.  We not only experienced their deaths, but also the effects of diseases such as ALS, cancer, and addiction that led to their deaths.  I’ve had a heart attack, my wife has had brain surgery to remove a pituitary tumor, our daughter has had multiple ear surgeries and now chronic illness, and our grandson spent 11 days in ICU with pneumonia.  And we’ve also had those difficult seasons brought on by career issues, as well as by broken relationships.  Additionally, we’re primary care givers for my dad and my mother-in-law, both currently able to live independently.

I’ve learned some things following this passion, and this blog is a way to share them with others facing difficult seasons and others who sojourn with them.  There’s even more that I don’t know, so this blog is also a way to bring others into the conversation so that we can learn together.

Welcome to the conversation!