A Beacon of Light

Some of you might recall that in April I participated in a Walk for Life in San Francisco to raise funds for cancer research, specifically Multiple Myeloma. I have two close friends who have been dealing with this specific type of cancer. One friend, Bill Roche, who was one of my classmates at Saint Ignatius…

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the one less traveled by,and that has made all the difference”Robert Frost It was the spring of 1979. I would be graduating from Santa Clara University in June. I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in teaching. I had already experienced a one-year…

“What good is thewarmth of summer,without the cold of winterto give it sweetness?”John Steinbeck Ah, yes… warm August nights. How I dream of them in February when they are just a faint memory of summers past. At this point in my life, enjoying such an evening here at home, sitting outside on the patio enjoying…

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues,but the parent ofall the others.”Marcus Tullius Cicero When I began writing about gratitude in December 2006, I had no idea that the concept would become a popular topic in the years to come. I also didn’t realize that I had so much to learn about gratitude in…

Herb Caen was a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle for more than 50 years. His witty and insightful writing earned him the title “Mr. San Francisco.” One his most famous quotes about The City makes me wonder about my Dad’s experience of arriving in Heaven following his death in 2008. Caen had written, “I…

A friend shared this song with me last night. I wanted to share it with you this morning. Today, July 31st, is the anniversary of my Dad’s death. He passed away unexpectedly in 2008. This song, by the group Westlife, is called “I’ll See You Again.” Click HERE to listen to it. Here are the…

“All truly great thoughtsare conceivedwhile walking.” Friedrich Nietzsche Any time of day can be thought of as walking time. This morning, I walked through the neighborhood in the mid-morning to early-afternoon hours. I logged over 8,000 steps — 3.3 miles. This evening, I’m planning to walk again, but it will be a shorter walk. The…

“Sittin’ in themornin’ sun,I’ll be sittin’ whenthe evenin’ come…”Otis Redding Prior to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, at a time before schools needed security fences around the perimeter of their campus, and before passengers were required to remove their shoes going through security lines at the airport, the cruise ship docks in Nassau…

“But why — but why shouldany wish to kill me?”MowgliThe Jungle Book Was it premeditated? No, I don’t think so. Yesterday’s morning walk with a small group of my elementary school classmates (John Sinclair, Craig Loeffler, and Marian Ritchie — and John’s wife, Doreen) began congenially enough at 31st & Santiago in The City yesterday…

“There are far, far betterthings ahead than anywe leave behind.” C.S. Lewis It was another serendipitous moment. I took another 6.5-mile walk through the Outer Sunset District yesterday afternoon. I started, as I often do, with breakfast at Java Beach Café on Judah Street. After enjoying a bowl of oatmeal and cup of hot chocolate, I…