Brenda Michelle Keller would have been 47 years old today. She left this life more than 34 years ago at the age of 12, but most people will never have the impact she’s had on myself and others in her far-too-short life. Like many folks, I think of Brenda often, particularly on her birthday and […]
Sharing an excerpt from ‘Goodbye, Butterfly’ on Brenda Keller’s birthday Read More »
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of Ernie W. Webb III’s “Goodbye, Butterfly: Murder, faith and forgiveness in a small Kansas town.” The chapter introduces readers to Brenda Keller and her family. To know the Kellers is to know their faith. The son of a pastor, Bob is well-versed in God’s word, and
If you’ve read this blog, you know “The Wonder Years” is a common thread. For many of the folks in my generation, it is a masterpiece that captures growing up in the 1970s and 1980s perfectly. I’m reminded of another great episode this week as I think of a former classmate, Michael Alan Butler. Michael,
Rest in peace, Michael Butler: A classmate and humble man Read More »
My morning routine has not changed much in the past 14 years. I am typically up between 6 and 6:15 a.m., take a quick shower, have a bowl of oatmeal with a cup of coffee, and hit the door for work by 7 a.m. One of the constants every morning has been our longtime pet,
So long to our sweet Sunday Read More »
“You’re like the king of the dipshits, Ernie. And I mean that in a good way.” That’s one of many memories of Dan Ascheman, a friend and former co-worker who passed away Dec. 4 at the far-too-young age of 49. Many of us who worked with Dan at Metropolitan Community College didn’t hear the news
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part I: Rest in peace, Dan Ascheman Read More »
Aug. 5, 2019. A day I’ll never forget, and one full of memories that I’d rather not remember. Like any August day in Kansas, it was hot as hell. As I had been for the previous three weeks, I slept, as much as I could anyway, in my father’s recliner. Dad lay next to me
Four years later, the last day still stings Read More »
Brenda Keller would have been 44 years old today. On her Heavenly birthday, I’m sharing an excerpt from the book about her I’ve been working on since my last semester of graduate school in 2017. This is from Chapter 11, which focuses on the days and weeks after her tragic death, including media coverage: In
Sharing an excerpt on Brenda Keller’s Heavenly birthday Read More »
Every time I watch the movie “Big Fish,” I cry. As I wrote last year, the yarns Albert Finney’s character spins conjure memories of my father’s fascinating life, only his stories are actually true. I thought of “Big Fish” again on Saturday as we said goodbye to a childhood friend, Chris “Woody” Woodrum, only not
Woody, thank you for being the glue Read More »
When I met Chris Woodrum, we were hanging upside down, faces red as a tomato and scared out of our minds while staring at a large group of strangers. We were 8 years old and receiving our Bobcat badges in the Boy Scouts at a ceremony in Lebanon, Missouri, where we both grew up. What
One of kind Chris ‘Woody’ Woodrum will be missed Read More »
Note: This blog was written but not published in January 2019, two weeks after doctors diagnosed Dad with terminal cancer. He died seven months later. It’s been 13 days since we found out my dad had six months to live … It’s been a rough day. I’ve been melancholy from the moment I woke up.
Twelve Days of Christmas, Part VI: Back to the well Read More »
