bierkergaard

I drove a couple of hours to the Philly Metro area last night from Amishland. Being from the Philly 'burbs, I know to add about an hour to the commute that Google Maps lists due to Rush Hour. I can't see how people do that day in and out. My work commute is a brief time on Route 30 and then I jump onto side roads. The drive took 2.5 hours. Without traffic, it should have been 1.5 hours. Stupid EZ Pass failed to work. Can't wait the wrangling awaiting with the Pa Turnpike overlords on this one. I traveled to Landsdale for a funeral. My buddy Kevin Day, only one of two people who I keep in touch with from high school, passed away last week from cancer. He fought bravely until the end, he demonstrated an amazing grace throughout the long process of illness. Kevin also attended Millersville University. He was one of only four kids from my high school to go to Millersville right after graduation, it wasn't a typical route at our wealthy and privileged Main Line high

Since I was nominally raised in the Catholic Church, Lenten observance was part of the plan. Ash on the forehead to signify mourning for sin I think. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. Since departing from the Holy See Inc., I have distanced myself from what are the dysfunctional dogmas of Catholicism while still retaining a love and appreciation for it when I can in good conscience. I think stained glass is cool. With Easter a week away, I know that I have to address why I need to reflect on Lent before it is over. So, here goes nothing. Or something. First, the older I have become, the more I have been able to balance seeing the good and the bad without resorting to one side or the other on some issues. For instance, I thought all of my mom's boyfriends when I was a teen were bums. A few years ago I reconsidered this determination and saw some of the positives that the guys brought into my life. I was being unfair to them, if only in my head and heart. Catholicism has its shar