My brother and I were raised in a series of Catholic Orphanages.  Both of us graduated from Boys Town HS in Omaha, Nebraska with All-State Honors in Football. Upon graduation I joined the Army and Bob went to Nebraska where he played on two National Championship teams and afterward for the New York Giants until a knee injury forced him out of the game. My right leg was partially paralyzed and I received a medical discharge from the Army.

I’ve had the privilege of trying out many pursuits in my life thus far, and as my brother likes to say, I’m the best-educated, most traveled, poor person he’s ever met. In 2000 I took a sabbatical year and lived with the monks at St. Benedict’s Monastery in Snowmass, CO. I woke up every morning at 3:00 A.M. to the sound of chimes on a cart that one of the monks rolled through the corridors of the monastery, learned how to manage bees and bake bread. And daily at 4:30 I had a cup of tea or hot chocolate with a monk who happened to be a Jungian Psychologist for an hour long discussion about most anything under the sun.

I’ve experienced much of the heartache that is common in our society as well and to a large extent that has transformed me to a point where most of my friends and family recognize me as an eccentric who listens well.  And I in turn consider myself as something of a healer who works out of a deep sense of brokenness. In September I had a below the knee amputation of my right leg. With the support of my family and friends I’ve made I rapid recovery and I’m back to pursuing the adventure of life and all that it brings. And to the point of this short narration I enjoy my budding relationships with my fellow amputees and family in LIM 359.