In The Blink of an Eye

At the age of 79, and after retiring twice, once after 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and again after almost 40 years as a Southern Baptist pastor, the author is currently working as a hospice chaplain. When one is young and life still looks like a rather long road with unlimited potential, it is difficult to think about one's mortality. However, when you reach your mid-seventies and beyond and look back you realize that life has flown by. Or as the title says it is gone: "In The Blink of an Eye." This is the author's personal story which begins in Brooklyn, NY in the late 30's and early 40's. It is his journey through life that takes one from Brooklyn NY to a tobacco farm in North Carolina to several Air Force bases in various parts of the United States. While stationed at McClellan AFB in California, the Vietnam war heated up and he was deployed several times to various stations in South East Asia. The story includes his personal struggles, and a crisis of faith during an almost fatal illness of one of his children. The story shares his search for spiritual peace and his call to pastoral ministry. It includes the struggle to complete an education while raising a family, and working as the pastor of a small church. The story illustrates how he pressed forward with optimism and faith to overcome many obstacles. He shares his love of flying, and outdoor activities such as SCUBA, backpacking and skiing. It is an encouraging story of choosing to press ahead with life's dreams in spite of the obstacles, and finding other ways to accomplish something when the first plan does not work. The value of family relationships and responsibility are key elements that will inspire and encourage young people to look at marriage as a life-time commitment. The author and his wife have been married for 57 years, have five children, twelve grand children and one great grand child.