Danny Reding

A few years ago, Lynn and I made what was either going to be the biggest act of faith or foolishness of our lives. Friends were concerned. They wanted the best for us but sensed there was great uncertainty and risk ahead. I tried to be reassuring and said, “We’re going to be OK . . . we just don’t know what OK looks like yet.” There was a little bit of hope and humor there. I needed both. We have indeed been OK, and actually more than OK, since that uncertain time. I have oft

A few years ago, I was writing out remarks for a wedding where I would be officiating and casually asked Lynn, “what would you say is important for a happy marriage?” She paused, but only briefly, and said, as if she had been preparing for this moment for quite some time, “Be nice (brief pause) Work it out. (another brief pause) Get over it.” Whatever I had in mind to write next faded in the light of her insight. I sat, silent, leaned back from my desk and thought, “I’m gonn

A Tale of Two Musicians (A Love Story . . . sort of) I was one of those kids who loved band and didn’t notice that it kept me from being one of the cool kids in school. I loved everything about it. Well, almost. I tolerated marching band but I truly loved everything else. Band camp was the best. It was band on steroids. One summer’s experience stands out though and left me with an enduring lesson on leadership. This particular camp lasted for two weeks with a different

My favorite preposition is "with." The things I love most about life are done “with.” The best experiences are "with" my family. Many friends come to mind too, friends I enjoy being with. With is implied in the title of this article too, Life Together. I don't mind spending a day, or maybe two, alone but soon that grows stale and I need to find someone to b e with. I'll reach out to a friend, maybe someone reading this article, and ask about getting coffee or lunch with the

When was the last time you had a conversation about virtue? Maybe it started when someone said something like, “Great to see you! You’re looking particularly virtuous today.” No? I can’t remember any conversations like that either but I have been increasingly intrigued by the topic of virtue. I’m particularly interested in whether virtue is something that we can develop or if we’re forever bound and restricted by our genes from birth. Is it possible to become more virtuo

I love coffee. I love the flavor and I love to linger over my first (and second) cup every morning. The cup matters too. I have a small collection but there are three that I seem to reach for more often than others. One says plainly, “gratitude.” I always find myself giving thanks for various blessings when I sip coffee from that cup. Another says, “gratitde.” It took a second try before auto-correct would allow that spelling. But there it is, etched into the side of my cup