Category Archives: Family

Welcome Home

Posted on February 20, 2026 by Doc Arnett

An extended family greeting at an airport reminded me of the joy we will one experience at the Great Reunion in Heaven. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Relationships, Resurrection/Return, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged airport reunion, family, joy, life, missing someone, prodigal, return, reunion | Comments Off

Assisted Living

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Doc Arnett

I sat in the waiting area,
pretending not to see the residents
doing their physical therapy.

Contemplations of aging and blessing… while visiting a neighbor in an assisted living center. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Poetic Contemplations, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged aging, assistend living, infirmity, old folks, physical therapy, visiting, worry | Comments Off

In Memory of Jerry Rich

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Doc Arnett

I’m not gonna say that when the Good Lord made Jerry Rich, He broke the mold. But I will say that I don’t think He used it very often after that. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Profiles, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Arkansas City KS, cancer, Cowley County KS, disability, family, farrier, hoof trimming, horses, horseshoe, Jerry Rich, Norma Rich, rodeos, Sally Palmer, south central Kansas | Comments Off

Empty Plates & Empty Chairs

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Doc Arnett

For most, holidays bring a mix of joy and tears. Embrace both, give thanks for the good, seek healing for each loss, do not let the Past rob you of Today’s joy. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, food, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Resurrection/Return, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged Christmas, comfort, faith, family, gifts, gratitude, grief, healing, holidays, hope, Jesus, joy, love, peace, resurrection, reunion, sadness, stockings, Thanksgiving | Comments Off

Through the Eyes of a Little Boy

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Doc Arnett

I can take my Old Man Me, look at my life—both past and present—and twist myself up with guilt, regret, disappointment, and disillusionment. Or… I can remember that little kid and ease down to my knees, bow my head, and give genuine thanks for being blessed beyond imagination. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged achievement, appreciation, disappointment, faith, family, farm, farm kid, gratitude, guilt, life, love, perspective, regret, wealth, work, writing | Comments Off

Sixth Annual Cider & Fireside Chatauqua

Posted on October 21, 2025 by Doc Arnett

Four men sit around a fire on an autumn evening, sharing thoughts and perceptions about things that matter… in this world and in the world to come. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Family, Metaphysical Reflection, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged chatauqua, conversation, fire, flame, iron sharpening iron, men, metaphor, Relationships, sharing, Spirit, talking | Comments Off

Tough Transitions

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Doc Arnett

While I don’t know of a good way to lose a loved one to death, some are certainly worse than others. In all cases, God’s grace and mercy sustain us. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Death & Dying, Family, Spiritual Contemplation, suffering | Tagged cancer, comfort, death, dying, faith, grief, hope, life, loss, love, protracted suffering, tragedy, trauma | Comments Off

A Mid-Summer’s Memory

Posted on August 11, 2025 by Doc Arnett

The eruption of pastel trumpets on long slender tubes of green reminds me of my father’s passing, sixteen years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Christian Devotions, Death & Dying, Family, Farming, Gardening, Nature, Poetic Contemplations, Poetry, Relationships, Remodeling/Construction, Spiritual Contemplation, Work | Tagged casket, Charlie Arnett, death, dying, farming, flowers, gardening, life, Nakes Ladies, shrine, Surprise Lilies, tribute | Comments Off

Old Roofs, Old Men… and Younger Ones

Posted on July 14, 2025 by Doc Arnett

And old roof that needed replacing and a sixteen-year-old grandson willing to help replace it… made for some mighty good memory making! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Relationships, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged barn roof, family, grandson, hard work, help, home, John Arnett, Johnny Arnett, roofing, shingles, summer roofing, tearing off old roof | Comments Off

Berry Pickin’

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Doc Arnett

In spite of very strict rules forbidding such, my mom used to wear pants when she’d go blackberry picking back in the Fifties and Sixties. It was, I think, a wonderful application of the concept Jesus taught when he said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

But she did wear a dress over the pants! Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Devotions, Christian Living, Family, Farming, food, Gardening, Spiritual Contemplation | Tagged berry picking, blackberries, family, farm life, Fifties, grace, judgment, Kentucky, mercy, religious rules, Sixties, tradition, west Kentucky, women wearing men's clothing | Comments Off