Goodbye Brother Bill…

In ancient Egypt they believed at the transition from this world to the next, you were asked two questions that determined whether or not you might continue your journey. The first was “Did you bring joy?” The second was “Did you find joy?” If you’ve watched the various feeds of my brothers, sisters and familyContinue reading “Goodbye Brother Bill…”

A midsummer night’s dream…

Most midsummer night’s evening I sit quietly with an adult beverage watching each moment of light fade to dark and think of my brother, Tony Fabio with whom I spent so many such nights as a younger man. We’d watch and drink and laugh till the last light of the longest day was faded onContinue reading “A midsummer night’s dream…”

“I know that pain…” An open letter to Simon.

Dear Simon, I read your latest blog and was extrememly moved… You see, I know that pain. My wife and I struggled for years, unsuccessfully trying to have a family. We came to marriage late, so we were already late to parenting. And while all and everyone around us, to us anyway, seemed to beContinue reading ““I know that pain…” An open letter to Simon.”

Life is made up of meetings and partings…

“It’s all right, children. Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it. I’m sure we shall never forget Tiny Tim, or this first parting that there was among us.” ~ Kermit as Bob Cratchit (A Muppet Christmas Carol, 1992) I offer this in review of a year when weContinue reading “Life is made up of meetings and partings…”

My soul in stillness waits…

The next few days will fly, so I’m sitting quietly now looking at our Christmas tree… It reminds me of the simple things often overlooked or seemingly not appreciated. After a great deal of soul searching, my son seems to know what he wants to do and just completed his first semester at it withContinue reading “My soul in stillness waits…”

You just never know.

As you may have gathered from my Facebook post this morning, I had a rather unsettlingly early meeting which necessitated an even more unsettlingly early awakening and departure. As observed then, it was startling how dark it seemed at that “god-forsaken” hour and my mood could easily have followed. However, my “misfortune” soon turned toContinue reading “You just never know.”

And Still the Poppies Grow…

My address to The Doverwood Village Retirement Community On the Occasion of Veterans’ Day Ladies and gentlemen — Dear Friends — Fellow Americans… Welcome to today’s gathering and thank you — My name is Brian Griffin and I’m honored and humbled to be here today — to be a small part in this celebration — thisContinue reading “And Still the Poppies Grow…”

International Day of the Girl Child

​Today is the “International Day of the Girl Child.” Approximately 49.6 percent of the world’s population is female; around 3.52 billion. As the father of a young woman, I try diligently to teach her how not to be a victim.  She is strong, smart and focused, but I still worry, like so many dad’s ofContinue reading “International Day of the Girl Child”