Gratitude

September 23, 2017
September 23, 2017
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A Modern-Day Booby Trap

In the home that I grew up in, we were limited in the amount of time we could watch TV. My mom hated seeing her children sitting on the couch watching TV. It was common for her to come into the family room unannounced, walk over to the TV, and shut it off. This frequently happened while we were in the middle of a show. After turning off the TV, Mom would order us to go outside and play.

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May 20, 2017
May 20, 2017
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The Countdown Clock Never Stops Ticking

On a Sunday afternoon in May 1987, I drove my family to my parents’ house so that we could visit with them. At the time, Georgette and I had four children — Harry, Anna, Maria, and Laura. When we arrived, my mom wished me a happy birthday. I had turned 30 the previous week. After wishing me a happy birthday, my mom’s first question was, “How does it feel to be 30 years old?”

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March 11, 2017
March 11, 2017
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Why Is Everyone So Upset With CAT?

Federal Agents Search Caterpillar Locations

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November 26, 2016
November 26, 2016
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Are you on the take?

on-the-takeLast weekend, after Mass at St. Philomena Church, a young woman in her 20s approached me and asked if I would write an article about what it means to show praise and thanksgiving to our Lord. The celebration of the Mass had been in honor of Christ the King and she felt that the upcoming Thanksgiving and Advent seasons provided a perfect opportunity for us to praise and thank God for what he has done for us.

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September 24, 2016
September 24, 2016
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A Choice You and I Must Make

whats-your-choiceCan you imagine how Saint Joseph felt when he was unable to find a suitable place for his wife to give birth to her child? How would you feel if your wife was about to give birth and the best you could do for her was a barn full of animals?

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June 11, 2016
June 11, 2016
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The Simple Things In Life

Best Things In LifeI attended Saint Louis University School of Law from 1979 to 1982. There was a McDonald’s restaurant that was located about six blocks from the school. The area where the McDonald’s was located was run-down, and it was not uncommon to run into a homeless person when I stopped at McDonald’s for a bite to eat.

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May 1, 2016
May 1, 2016
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The Departure of a Media Titan

Mother AngelicaIn March 1985, my wife and I attended an Easter Seals breakfast at the Continental Regency in downtown Peoria. The featured speaker was a 61-year-old cloistered Franciscan nun by the name of Mother Mary Angelica.

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April 2, 2016
April 2, 2016
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The Departure of a Hero

HeroOn a Thursday evening during the summer of 1971, my dad and I went to Limestone Community High School in Bartonville, Illinois, to register me for the upcoming school year. I had graduated from St. Mark’s Catholic School in May, which was the end of what I considered an eight-year prison term.

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February 20, 2016
February 20, 2016
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Coping With the Death of a Loved One

Moments TogetherWith the recent death of my father-in-law, I’ve had to fall back on some of the coping skills I learned and developed when I was younger. I’ve written before about the death of my 13-month-old sister, Kathryn Mary. When she died, I was 15 years old. I’ve also written about the sudden death of my cousin, Tommy LaHood, who died when I was 11. Tommy’s brother, Harry LaHood, passed away when he was 41. Harry and I were the same age and were best friends while we were growing up.

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