His name was James P Drevets. He was the first Chief Financial Officer of Covenant Retirement Communities and my predecessor, mentor, colleague, and trusted friend. I was the first employee of a central office established by Covenant leadership to serve a loose confederation of retirement communities around the country. I had been splitting my time
“Your wife’s cancer has returned.” What just happened??? In June (2020) we heard good news after my wife’s annual mammogram – all clear. The chances her breast cancer of 2006 would return became more remote with each passing year. Then came the new diagnosis two months later from my wife’s primary Doctor. The scans showed
On the occasions when I traveled to Washington, D.C. for work, I took great joy visiting the many Memorials on The National Mall. The Memorials regularly stirred up a variety of emotions, pride, awe, and often, a great deal of sadness. Gazing up at Abraham Lincoln never failed to remind me of the sacrifices of
“Nursing costs are way too high. Something must be done. Staffing is out of control, ” said the hospital's Executive Director to me, the brand new budget manager. Less than 24 hours later, the Director of Nursing told me, “My staffing is fine. I’m not over spending. I’m tired of being constantly asked to cut
A Reflection with Ric – The Pandemic of 1918 – 1920 – A Family Member Looks Back Silas Theodore Olson 14 Jan 1903 – 27 Jan 1920 When visiting my grandparents many years ago, I discovered some very old Olson family pictures. One picture in particular caught my eye. In the photo I saw a
A Reflection with Ric “I’m So Lonely – I Just Wanna Die” As I approached her room, I saw the door stood slightly open. I could barely see her and noticed she sat hunched over in her wheelchair. I heard the Chicago Cubs’ game on her TV. “May I come in?” I asked, knocking
As I drove back to Bellingham, Washington from St. Paul, Minnesota after completing my freshman year at Bethel, I knew my life had dramatically changed but I had no idea how much. At Bethel, I encountered Professor G.W. Carlson who taught Political Science. Professor Carlson challenged me to research, think and to pray through issues
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zi2SNFnfMjk “Did you see what is happening in New York?” The woman’s comment caught me totally off guard as I walked past her in the hotel hallway. I had been preparing for leadership team meetings in San Diego with leaders from around the country and had not seen the news. “They flew a plane into
Please review the following article: https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/492274-april-12-1955-vaccine-vanquishes-polio-65-years-ago April 12, 1955 was a day in United States History that was almost set aside as a national holiday. Americans in 1955 lived with two major fears – polio and nuclear war. Students in schools on that special day when the announcement was made about the vaccine
The long-term care community always looked forward to the annual talent show. One year I especially remember, despite her reluctance, the Life Enrichment team encouraged Ruth to enter. Ruth, in her 90s, eventually agreed, though she now lived in the skilled nursing community. Ruth second-guessed herself about entering the talent show right up to when
