Author Archives: cfheidel

Nellie and Me After PT

Thirty-five minutes in the “Stander” (imagine being seated, then unfolded, slowly raised to a standing position, and clamped into a Nordic Track ski machine). Now resting with Nellie supervising my warm-down. A picture of me standing not likely, as my britches tend to head south in a hurry. More like a Nordic De-Pantser. Modesty prevails.Continue reading “Nellie and Me After PT”

Betty Rosebud

They would travel annually to an unlikely destination, whose only marketing channels early on were a P.O. Box (0), a phone number, and a cryptic http://www.zipcode.mountainnet.com. Almost as if the destination was hiding. A strange place. No phones. No room keys. Beautiful, though. Verdant. Shaded. Bubbling fountains everywhere you looked. Unlikely a destination as itContinue reading “Betty Rosebud”

God in the Checkbook, or Quicken’s Silver Lining

May 2010 — Since my accident, now nine months on, I’ve noticed quite a few times that I lose track of time. I’m not talking about clock time. I’m talking about calendar time. The month. The date. The year. The day. I suppose it could be because I spent quite a few weeks away fromContinue reading “God in the Checkbook, or Quicken’s Silver Lining”

Fearfully and Wonderfully Broken

On August 20, 2009, four years and five months ago, I enjoyed my last two-wheeled bike ride and experienced a real life-changer. Now a C7 tetraplegic, paralyzed from the mid-chest down, I have grown in my appreciation for God’s grace and mercy (after all, I could’ve been killed or much more profoundly injured). I haveContinue reading “Fearfully and Wonderfully Broken”

Got Gum?

Tap, tap, tap went a small finger on his shoulder. The finger’s owner proclaimed in a slightly too loud voice, “Found a new flavor, Mr. H. — Stride Minty-Melon!” He broke off his chat with some relatively unimportant adult and turned to see Chloe, his almost always first post-church-announcement visitor. She would stop by toContinue reading “Got Gum?”

Father of the Bride Toast 2 — Heidel-McFadden Wedding Reception

Heidel-McFadden Wedding Reception Historic Fairfax County Courthouse August 17, 2013 Good evening. I trust and hope everyone is enjoying their meal having a good time. Alice and I are happy to welcome you, and grateful for your participation in this joyful happy celebration of Allie’s marriage to Kenneth. This week and at other times, IContinue reading “Father of the Bride Toast 2 — Heidel-McFadden Wedding Reception”

Spare Not the Rods — Fishing and Other Capon Musings

For several years, we have vacationed in West Virginia, at a location beloved by my wife’s mom and dad, which was the venue for their fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration in 1994. That year was our first visit, and we celebrated the occasion with my wife’s sisters and their families. We look forward to these annualContinue reading “Spare Not the Rods — Fishing and Other Capon Musings”

Map Maker, Compass, Walking Stick and Guide

Though our emotional journies may wind through rugged terrain and barren sadness, God formed that terrain, He is map maker, compass, walking stick and guide. He gives grace often and most generously as we look to, trust in, and lean heavily upon Him. Psalms 25:12,14 — Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct inContinue reading “Map Maker, Compass, Walking Stick and Guide”

Father of the Bride Toast — Heidel-McFadden Rehearsal Dinner

Heidel-McFadden Rehearsal Dinner Maggiano’s, Tysons Galleria August 16, 2013 I was asked by Allie a few weeks ago to offer up the Father of the Bride Toast at tomorrow’s wedding reception, and had already been thinking of what I might say on this rehearsal dinner occasion. In order to avoid being branded and ill-prepared andContinue reading “Father of the Bride Toast — Heidel-McFadden Rehearsal Dinner”