Monthly Archives: July 2014

Roger Ebert, “Life Itself,” and Change

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Bob Ritzema

I recently saw Life Itself, the documentary about Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert’s life. The most remarkable thing about this film wasn’t any of Ebert’s achievements but his willingness to be filmed as he was dying of cancer. His … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Psyche, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Generativity at the Movies

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Bob Ritzema

I recently posted a reflection on “Chef,” Jon Favreau’s movie about an eminent chef whose career runs aground on the shoals of excess caution, then is re-floated thanks to a cross-country jaunt on a food truck. One of the movie’s … Continue reading →

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More on Schweitzer and Maturity

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Bob Ritzema

I wrote earlier about a comment Albert Schweitzer made about maturity. In looking for the source of that quote, I ran across something else he had said about the topic. The first quote I had found came from when Schweitzer was … Continue reading →

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The Holy Fool

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Bob Ritzema

I recently read Harold Fickett’s 1983 novel The Holy Fool. Haven’t heard of it? Neither had I. It addresses some interesting issues concerning midlife, though, and that captured my interest. Fickett tells the story of Ted Marsh, a Baptist pastor … Continue reading →

Posted in Psyche, Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“Can You Spare Me a Dime?” Getting Ready For the Journey.

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Bob Ritzema

My mom and I were my dad’s primary caregivers as dementia gradually chewed at his mind. I helped them in their home for almost two years, until, at last, my mother made the difficult decision to have dad admitted to … Continue reading →

Posted in caregiving, Relationships | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments