In Emma’s Words
Emma believed everyone should be treated with kindness and respect. Sure, some have a few glitches and yet everyone deserves to smile.
Don’t take our word for it. Give Emma a listen.
The Day I Met Emma
Emma changed my life, my outlook and many of my views on just about everything. Emma set me on a course to become a better person, a better father and husband. Emma set me on a path to become a better human being. I write these memories as a keepsake of who I was and who Emma ignited me to become. I write these memories to preserve the light that Emma provided.
What is Family?
My son had a son. How awesome is that? Shortly after that occurrence a well meaning acquaintance asked me if it was any different having a “real” grandchild. Let me back up. My second son, Brandon, is the biological half-brother of Emma. We adopted...
Adoption, Family and Joy
Make no mistake; kids change our lives. And then there is the added bonus of the joy of adoption. In our modern America family means something so much different than the black and white 1950's. Allow me to share... My son, Brandon, and his girlfriend Jenna are...
Living Strong
We are certainly living in interesting times, wouldn't you agree? COVID-19 has changed the very fabric of our society and challenged our basic precepts on our economy. Our current normal wasn't even imagined by most Americans as little as a six weeks ago, let alone...
Kristi’s Law: Kansas State Senate Bill 249
As you know, mental health is a very important topic here at Glitches and Smiles. Today I'd like to urge you to support Kansas State Senate Bill 249, otherwise known as Kristi's Law. Simply put, we are seeking enforcement of mental health parity laws that are supposed...
Parenting a Special Needs Child
Parenting a special needs child is not for the faint of heart. Let there be no doubt. Though I would offer that the parents of special needs children, whether those special needs be physical, mental or otherwise, will learn more about themselves and have insights in...
Throw Away People
As I was walking through Lowes this last Saturday evening coming towards me was an adult child in her upper twenties or lower thirties supporting herself with the cart she was pushing. With each step she displayed the tell-tale trait of some sort of disability, which...
A Lake Kahola Memory of Emma
Emma only got to visit Lake Kahola a few times. We didn’t move in until the last weekend of September 2017 and by mid-February she was gone. Still, in those few visits she provided me with memories to last a lifetime. Marie, Piper and Paisley (our...
I’ve Been on Pause ||
NOTE: This is me processing grief. This is not inspirational. This is the grief I feel. It is important to me to document this for my sake. And if it helps one other person to not feel alone, to know they are not on their own, well, that is why I publish this writing....
Sleepless Nights: A Child Worth Fighting For
I never fully realized that the Day I Met Emma there would be so many sleepless nights to follow in my life. As every parent knows every child blessed to us will makes us lose sleep for one reason or the other. Adopting children, especially older children, out...
Easter and Unconditional Love
Today is the day we celebrate Easter in 2018. I'm not going to pretend it isn't hard without Emma here. Happily, we will celebrate this day with Jacob and Makena, Brandon and Jenna and Paisley, and Piper. My sister Kathy and her family are coming as well. Yes,...
Emmaisms: Air Tickles
While playing with Oliver (our grandson) the other day Marie and I stumbled upon a great memory of Emma. Up until about her 17th birthday she had one very unique quality when it came to being tickled; you didn't even have to touch her. All you had to do was wiggle...
Emmaisms: “Wait. What?”
Last Sunday marked the second anniversary of Emma's passing. Marie, Piper and I were in Dallas for a work function and I was glad to have them there with me. I'll never forget that long flight home, by myself, from Anaheim the morning after learning of her death. I...
