Author Archives: rkdenlinger

Joan had her video appointment with the Neurosurgical Spine Center at John Hopkins. They assure us that they want to figure things out, but nothing is clear to them based on a first look at the imaging they received from Penn Medicine. In other words, they aren’t convinced about the “pearl” theory. But, after hearingContinue reading “Still in the Dark”

First, an apology for our being unclear. Both Joan and I (Ron) post. In the case of the previous post, Joan wrote it and I (Ron) do at least a quick edit. We realized from your responses that some of you thought that I have joined Joan in the world of back pain. I haveContinue reading “Pearl Update”

When my blog spot goes quiet, you can assume Joan is processing while not profusing. Life is hard! News flash, I am still trying to figure it out. In February of this year, my back pain and leg weakness and numbness was increasing, forcing me to make my way to a fourth neurosurgeon to againContinue reading “A Pearl of Great Price”

We were incredibly blessed today with the birth of our third grandchild. The icing on the cake was the surprise Jeremy and Sarah had for us this evening when we met her – her middle name! We couldn’t stop crying happy tears.

The door creaked quietly and I heard my son’s clunky gait slip “stealthily” into Kari’s bedroom. “Hmm, I wonder what he is up to now?” It was Sunday morning and I was meditatively sitting on my sofa, staring at the Christmas tree. It is abnormal for me, on a Sunday morning, to be sitting. AllContinue reading “The Final Podcast (or not)”

Translated into modern English: “May God grant you (cause you to have, continue in) peace and happiness.”   The three of us “resting” during an Endless Mountains retreat – a getaway to grieve. We treasure all the cards and letters we’ve been receiving. They bring comfort and joy to us. Receiving a mixture of sympathyContinue reading “God Rest Ye Merry”

A dear relative, after reading our most recent post, wrote to Joan and me: “Your family’s experiences over the last week are too hard and sad.” It does feel that way! It makes me wonder: Are we in a good place, a safe place, when the trials compound and feel like too much? There wasContinue reading “Subscribe / Unsubscribe”

He wraps Himself in Light, Love and Hope and in our darkness, He wraps us with these attributes that keep us from falling into the abyss of depression and despair. Advent is soon here- reminding us that we are in the dimmest hours before the Light will come.  Soon we will be wrapping presents, readyContinue reading “He wraps…. We wrap”

Before I (Ron) get into the reason for the title of this post, this update… This afternoon, we pass on Kari’s “party bus” to a local family who has a son in a wheelchair. That came together quickly as did the purchase of a minivan for our second vehicle. We already think of this asContinue reading “Works of Art”

So many of you have gifted us with being there for us (your attendance this past Friday), words of encouragement, prayers, flowers, memories, meals, hugs, and so on. Each of them help – a lot! This morning we received another wonderful gift from a dear friend – an amazing writer who has given a lovingContinue reading “Precious Gifts Amidst the Pain”