DNGILB: Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Granted, I didn't have cash to do a remodel when we bought our house... but I certainly have learned that if you do, you are blessed! We recently started doing some remodeling to our 1950 built ranch home. We love our home, amazing layout. Those post-WWII modern architects really were onto something. We looked at a number of homes built in the 1920-1930's and the layouts were just choppy. But while the layout of our home was excellent, the shape of its hardwood floors, sheetrock, and style of bathrooms, trim, etc... just wasn't going to cut it. So we decided to take our house into the 21st century. It's going to be pretty modern, but keep some of the 50's geometry, masonry patterns... but incorporate modern colors, glass tile, corten raw steel, concrete countertops, etc. What started out as, "hey lets redo the bathroom" has evolved into almost the entire house. Its just all connected! You can't just stop at one spot easily, not when you have long ran

I played soccer when I was young. Seven I think. I was in a defensive position back by the goal... Is that called a full back? I have no idea. I believe I was in this position because of my exercise induced asthma... This position had the least amount of running, so this is where I was stationed. I have very few memories of my time in soccer. I do remember this is when I was introduced to the "suicide"... a dreamy concoction of all flavors of soda from the concession stand. (It only tastes better if you're a kid.) but this isn't the memory I wanted to share. The memory I do wish to share was from the only game I remember. I didn't get much "glory" by being on defense... But one day, I thought, "it's my turn!" At some random point in the game, I found myself with the ball. This would be my moment! Seize the day!!! So, I started dribbling the ball and advancing down field.  I drove it all the way down the field, dodging opponents left an

I was driving around with my windows down, listening to music... No real destination, just driving to drive.  I used to do that when I was in highschool and college.  It's where I would go when I needed to think or be by myself... Or sometimes just because I was bored. I always loved it.  I haven't done it much since living 8 blocks from work.  I need to do it more often, it just feels good. There is something really pleasant about feeling the warm summer air mixing with the cold air from the air conditioner while seeing the world moving by at 30 mph. Anyways, as I was driving around, windows down... I drove by someone's yard who had their sprinklers going.  I could smell the water! I was instantly overwhelmed by an emotional reaction. It took me back to a simpler time in life! Summertime... With no worries.  I don't know if it brought back memories of running through sprinklers in the back yard as a young child or perhaps the golf course at twilight... Or maybe even

How much of the childhood does an adult remember? I've asked my dad questions about his childhood, and he seems to have very few specific memories of it. Incidentally, I asked him this approximately 20 years ago, and I still remember it. I remember feeling perplexed at how a person could forget their childhood and I remember feeling sad for my dad. I can however, as I grow older, understand how all those childhood memories fall out of the brain. Life is just complex as an adult, not much time is spent dwelling on things of childhood. I read a book recently, non-fiction. One of the people in the book had a journal in which he would write down every memory that came to him from his life. Some were big, others as small as wearing a specific shirt on a specific day. I have decided to start recording some of my childhood memories in my blog for future memory loss and generations to come. Memory Journal #1: Growing up in the Gilbert family included quite a few road trips. I guess

Life is fragile. I used to have a sense that it wasn't. I felt secure. I felt I could go to sleep, wake up, breathe, live, play, go to sleep and do it all over again. Partly because of my job, partly because of my wife's health issues... life doesn't seem so stable or secure. To make things worse a friend of mine who is 38 years old suffered a small stroke. I actually took care of him in the hospital... He's doing fine, but other than his LDL cholesterol of 144 he shouldn't have had a stroke. What's crazy is that I saw him the very night before the stroke, just completely fine and unsuspecting. Now, I feel like I could die at any moment. Car wreck... Some rare form of cancer... Stroke... Or heart attack. My whole world could be turned upside down, or end all together. I recently went to Woodward park on a beautiful day, the azaleas were in bloom... couples were holding hands and kissing, having pictures taken together... having picnics... WALKING AROUND! No heal

In Psalm 23 it says, "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not be in want." During this phase in life in which I find life extremely difficult, having a wife with chronic health issues that really limits life... it is hard to fathom "not being in want." How can I not want something good and as natural as feeling good. The scripture makes it pretty clear that God enjoys blessing his people by giving them children... how could you "not be in want" if you were desiring this but couldn't have children? During a group Bible study, some men, who are a little further along in life than I, talked about when their teenage daughters were wanting to date some boy but they knew the boy was a bad influence. The desire the girls had was a good and natural, but hopefully the teenager would trust their father enough to heed his direction. The father was acting out of a deep appreciation and care for his daughter's deeper desire and was trying to help her reach it. So

Life has been difficult... Painful. My wife and I at times have been "poor in spirit." we both struggle with doubts... "God? Are you there? Do you care? Are you going to do anything about this chronic health problem? It's ruining life!" Lately, he has given me some reassurance. God, in dramatic fashion, pulled my wife's health out of the gutter and gave her a month of respite in time for our trip to Maui. It was a blessing. I have to believe if he cared enough for a trip... He cares even more about the rest of her life. Van hasn't been able to remain as hopeful recently, and I begged God to show up and give her a sign that he cares and is still in this. The very next morning after I poured my heart out in request, she received an email from someone she didn't believe had her new email address and it included some great scripture and the saying, "don't wait for the storm to end, learn to dance in the rain." I've been p