Blog

Finding Light in the Darkness

Photo above: My parents, James and Rosemary Magruder, the day my father proposed to her. The look on her face says it all.

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Several years ago, I was reflecting on the passing of my mother when I ...

Stepping Back in Time

Yesterday afternoon I was twenty years old, walking the campus of the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater (UWW) during the final exam week. The prior sentence is true—except for one fact. I’m not ...

The Power of a Photograph

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the power of a photograph to evoke emotions, memories, and heal old wounds. It makes sense since I just finished writing the rough draft of my third novel, The ...

Old Friends, Best Friends

I once read a quote that said “old friends are the best friends.” We could argue that either way. But I think the source was trying to say, while we all love making new friends, there is something ...

The Men They Will Become

Life isn’t measured in minutes, but in moments.

One of my fondest memories is the day I became a father—it was a defining moment. A moment when joy, exhilaration, a crying baby, an exhausted mother, ...

The Pen & the Palette

Last year I wrote about “The Lost Art of Letter Writing.”
Today, this newsletter has a new twist.

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As I grow older, I’m finding significant value in mementos—things I’ve had for years—but ...

The Light in My Father's Eyes

This is one of my favorite photos of my father. Why? Is it because of the smile on his face? The joy in that smile? That he is clowning with a relative out of the frame? Or because this is a ...

When There is No Miracle

You’re not supposed to think about these things on your wedding day—especially during the ceremony. But the thought flittered through my mind, anyway. What would I do if I prematurely lost the woman ...

Who is Standing Behind You?

HAPPY NEW YEAR. I hope you enjoyed the holiday, time with your family, and time to rest. I have enjoyed resting and a short hiatus from writing this newsletter. I now look forward to writing more ...

Minor Characters, Major Roles

I just finished reading Richard Paul Evans’ latest Christmas book, A Christmas Memory. It is the twenty-fifth book I have read from this author who has written forty-three consecutive New York Times ...

Feeling the Words You Write

For years, I have been talking about pausing—stepping back—to see things more clearly. Sometimes the aerial view surpasses the close-up. 

This was most meaningful to me when I was a full-time ...

The Magic of Music

MUSIC. It adds a sweetness to life. We sing along with it, tap our feet to it, work out to it, and let it rock us to sleep. Experts say it has the potential to lighten our mood, reduce anxiety, ...