An Unwanted Pause
For most of the past six years, I managed to avoid COVID. Friends got it. Family members got it. At a certain point I started to wonder whether I might be one of the lucky ones who simply slipped past the thing. Then, in the last week of March, it finally caught up with me.
The virus itself was rough — fatigue, fever, the particular kind of body ache that makes getting up for a glass of water feel like a negotiation. The harder part, for me, was what it did to my asthma. My lungs tend to be the first thing to complain in any respiratory illness, and COVID lit them up. I ended up out of work for a full week, which is not something I take lightly.
Somewhere in the middle of that week, lying in bed longer than I would ever lie in bed by choice, I started to notice something. I was thinking. Not the anxious, distracted thinking of a normal busy day, but the slower kind — the kind I usually don’t make room for. When the ordinary machinery of life shuts down, you can finally hear what’s been running underneath it.
What I heard, mostly, was a quiet set of questions about my own health. I have known for a while that my sleep has been inconsistent. I have known that my nutrition could be better. I have known, as a guy with a replaced hip and a genetic connective-tissue condition, that my body needs more intentional care than the bodies of people who have never had to think about collagen. I knew all of this. I just hadn’t done much about it.
COVID made me sit still long enough to stop pretending otherwise.
As a psychologist, I spend a lot of my professional life talking with people about behavioral change. I know the science. I know the stages. And I know — because I’ve seen it in my patients and I’ve felt it in myself — that insight alone does not produce change. You can understand yourself beautifully and still do nothing differently.
So once I started feeling better, I decided to do some things differently. I’m getting more sleep, guarding my evenings and letting my phone rest before I do. I’m paying closer attention to what I eat — more protein, more vegetables, fewer of the snacks I had been reaching for without really deciding to. And I’ve started an actual exercise program, something more structured than the vague intention to “walk more” that I’d been carrying around for a year.
The deeper reset, though, was not really about food or exercise. It was about re-centering on what I actually value: faith, my marriage, my daughters, my work, the people I walk alongside at church. My health is not separable from any of those things. It is the body in which I love my wife, raise my daughters, sit with patients, and pray with my church family. Neglecting it is, in a quiet way, neglecting them.
Behavioral change is hard. It’s hard for my patients, it’s hard for me, it’s hard for everyone. The goal isn’t to stop finding it hard; the goal is to keep going anyway, and to be honest about where you fall short.
I would not have chosen COVID. If someone had offered me a week of fever and wheezing in exchange for a few new habits, I would have politely declined and picked up a self-help book instead. But I’m not in charge of the curriculum. The illness came, and with it came a window I hadn’t been wise enough to open on my own. I’m grateful for what I saw through it — and hopeful that the changes I made will outlast the memory of how it felt.
Bicycling
In 2024, I bought my first ebike. Before committing, I did a lot of research — but ultimately decided I needed to actually ride one before buying. I have joint problems, so fit wasn’t just a preference; it was a requirement.
I ended up choosing a Pedego. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s genuinely comfortable and suits me well. The staff at my local Pedego dealer were great — they helped me find the right model, the Interceptor, and I’ve been bringing it back to them for annual service ever since.
The weather is finally turning, and I managed to get out for a short ride today. After a sedentary winter, it’s going to take a little time to find my legs again — but it’s a start.
Obsidian
I’m transitioning to Obsidian for most of my writing tasks. It handles a wide range of writing well, and it may be best-in-class when it comes to linking ideas together.
One thing I appreciate is that Obsidian can publish directly to my blog, which means fewer tools to juggle. Notes I write for posts can also double as reference material for future projects — everything lives in one place. And when I need to extend its functionality, there’s a plugin for that. I’m currently using Micro.publish to post to my micro.blog account.
The learning curve is real, but so far it’s been worth it. One thing that gives me peace of mind: all Obsidian files are plain text, so if I ever decide to move on, taking my notes with me will be easy.
Mom and Dad’s Birthdays
My dad’s birthday is on February 1st and my mom’s birthday is on March 1st. We enjoyed celebrating their birthdays again this year (a month apart).
Working and taking classes is challenging. I’m always impressed by non-traditional students who manage to work, raise children, and complete their degrees. Taking classes outside my profession has made me appreciate the work and sacrifices of non-traditional students.
I use both mastodon and micro.blog for personal blogging. I still have not learned to coordinate them both — just dabbling a little with each of them.
If you use both services, how have you coordinated them? Do you find synergy in using them both?
It is a cold and icy day. It is a good day to be indoors.
This is Lux, our 13-year-old beagle-dachshund mix. She is a rescue dog and is a very sweet dog.
Merry Christmas 2025
I am grateful for another Christmas with my family. We enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. It was a candlelight service and included Christmas Carols. My parents and Emily went with Julie and me. Julie fixed a wonderful meal for our family on Christmas Day. Here are some pictures of our family.
Mother’s Day 2025
This post is a couple of weeks late. On 5/11/2025, our family celebrated Mother’s Day. We had dinner at Amanda and Will’s home.
Of all the blessings in my life, there is nothing I am more grateful for than my mom, my wife, and my daughters.
Reflections on the Flight of Honor Experience
My father is a Vietnam Veteran. I have written about his experience in Vietnam in my blog post:
Jerry's Journey to Vietnam and Return Home
On April 30, 2025, my father and I embarked on a poignant journey known as the Flight of Honor. The mission of this remarkable organization is to celebrate veterans by inviting them to partake in a day honoring them at the nation's memorials in Washington, D.C.. For those interested in learning more, additional information can be found here: Flight of Honor.
The Journey Begins
We arrived at the airport early, around 5:50 AM, and were met with an impressive level of organization and warmth. The atmosphere was uplifting, as:
- A girls' choir performed the national anthem
- A voice teacher gave a heartfelt rendition of "God Bless America"
- A brigadier general welcomed everyone, adding to the sense of honor and respect
Our flight included 100 veterans, each accompanied by a guardian, totaling an equal number. The role of the guardian is crucial; we are there to ensure the safety of our veterans while providing companionship and support to enhance their experience. It was a privilege for me to serve as my father's guardian during this significant day.
Visiting the Memorials
By approximately 10:15 AM, our plane touched down in Washington, D.C., and our bus tour commenced at 11:00 AM, with our first destination being the World War II Memorial. Among the group were three veterans who had bravely served during World War II.
Throughout the day, we visited several iconic landmarks that are not only beautiful but steeped in history:
- World War II Memorial
- Korean War Memorial
- Vietnam War Memorial
- Marine Corps Memorial
- Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
- Arlington National Cemetery
- Lincoln Memorial
- Washington Monument
Each site was an unforgettable experience that honored those who have served our country.
The Vietnam War Memorial
April 30, 1975, marked the fall of Saigon, a pivotal moment in history. On the eve of that day, April 29, 1975, the song "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" played to signal the evacuation of American personnel from Vietnam.
The day of our trip happened to fall on the 50th anniversary of that event. Many Vietnamese individuals expressed their gratitude to my father for his service during the war. Several asked to have pictures taken with my dad, including this Vietnamese woman who became tearful as she thanked my dad for his service in Vietnam.
During this poignant occasion, my father visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A park ranger helped him create a rubbing of his late friend, Michael K. Thompson, a helicopter pilot who lost his life in Vietnam.
The trip was truly memorable. My father and I cherished our shared moments together, with one of the most impactful experiences being his visit to the Vietnam memorial.
I recall a family vacation to Washington D.C. in the 1980s when I was around 14 years old. Initially, my impression of the Vietnam Memorial was not favorable; I found it rather stark and felt it didn't adequately honor the sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans.
Critics have described the memorial as "a black gash of shame and sorrow," pointing out its lack of grandeur compared to other memorials. Perhaps its simplicity is precisely what makes it a fitting tribute to an unpopular war and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by returning Veterans. The wall bears the names of over 58,000 servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Preparing for the Journey
Our trip involved considerable walking. When I applied to be a guardian for my father, a nurse from Flight of Honor asked if I was prepared for the physical demands of pushing him in a wheelchair. To prepare, I dedicated myself to regular exercise for five weeks leading up to our journey. Pushing my dad up the ramp at the Lincoln Memorial was quite a workout.
Giving Back to Veterans
We returned to Washington D.C. airport around 6 PM, where Arby's generously provided lunch and dinner for our group. The franchise owner has been a long-time supporter of Flight of Honor, and we are grateful for individuals like him who contribute to this noble cause.
A special aspect of our trip is known as "mail call," which aims to recreate the experience of receiving letters while serving in the military. My father received numerous letters from friends, family, and community organizations expressing their support for Veterans on this journey. He was genuinely touched and uplifted by their kind words.
A Warm Welcome Home
Upon arriving at Greensboro airport, we anticipated a warm welcome for our flight. I was taken aback by the large turnout. People of all ages were there to greet and honor the Veterans in our group.
This experience with Flight of Honor was truly unforgettable. I'm glad my dad and I were able to spend the special day together. While we enjoyed the trip, we were also glad to return home and appreciated our family greeting us and patiently waiting for us to deplane.
Flight of Honor was a great experience for my dad. I'm so glad I was able to go with him. I'm also glad our family was able to celebrate the experience with us.
In the News
Here is a recent news story about the trip.
A Lovely Walk at Hanging Rock Park
Julie and I live about 30 minutes from Hanging Rock Park in North Carolina. We decided to go to the park after church today. The weather was beautiful and ideal to enjoy the park. We spent about 30 minutes walking on an easy trail.
We enjoyed seeing the trees. There was a waterfall, and it was the highlight of our walk. Here is a brief video of some of what we saw.
Julie and I have only been to Hanging Rock a few times. We hope to go more often this year.
Happy Easter 2025
Happy Easter 2025. Julie and I enjoyed the Easter service at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. We attend the service at 8:30 am, which is a traditional service.
After church, Julie spent most of the day preparing a delicious meal for dinner. Our girls were able to join us, but Amanda's husband, Will, was not feeling well, so he was not able to come. My mom and dad had dinner with us. I am glad our family was able to be together.
Jerry’s Journey to Vietnam and Return Home
Introduction
My dad, Jerry Spriggs, is an Army veteran and was deployed to Vietnam in 1967-68. While growing up, I noticed my dad’s patriotism and pride in his military service, but he was reluctant to discuss his experiences in Vietnam. Like many combat veterans, my dad rarely spoke about his military service when he was young. He was busy raising a family, working, and meeting other responsibilities in his life. He also experienced the trauma of combat, which is impossible to understand for those who have not shared that experience. As an adult, I read several books about Vietnam’s history and the events leading up to the Vietnam War to better understand the conflict. One of my favorite books about Vietnam is: https://a.co/d/gJmQv8z. This book is notable for its comprehensive history and extensive photographs of Vietnam and the war.
As of March, 2025, the Vietnam War was the second longest conflict in U.S. history, with direct U.S. involvement between 1955-1975. Only the war in Afghanistan was longer (2001-2021), and not by much at 19 years and 10 months, vs. 19 years and 5 months in the case of Vietnam. The Vietnam War was a complex and unpopular war. Unlike previous generations of combat veterans, many Vietnam veterans were not welcomed home.
Early Life and Enlistment
My dad grew up in Michigan. He was a good athlete, a good student, and an outstanding musician. When he was growing up in the 1950s, there were many venues for live music, and my dad and the bands he played in were often hired to perform.
Vietnam was the last major conflict that included conscripted service (the draft). My dad volunteered for military service. He grew up in a patriotic family, and his older brother had served in the military.
Deployment to Vietnam
My father entered military service at age 20. He excelled and was quickly promoted to Sergeant. He served as an Area Intelligence Specialist, designated with the military occupational specialty 97C40. This intelligence gathering relies on human sources instead of monitoring radio transmissions and other methods.
Some of the specific areas in Vietnam in which my dad was stationed include:
Daily Life in the War Zone
Both of the above photos are of my dad when he was stationed in Vietnam. You will notice that in both of these photos, he is in civilian clothes. For the majority of his time in Vietnam, he did not wear a uniform. He also did not use his real name. His cover was that he was part of a private organization called “JTAD-13” or “Joint Technical Advisory Detachment”. JTAD-13 would advise local organizations in the Vietnamese community. In that role, he was able to cultivate human intelligence sources.
Memorable Experiences and Encounters
When my dad was stationed in Tay Ninh, the team chief (a U.S. Army Captain) had recently been assassinated. As a young NCO, my dad was selected to take over as team chief. He was in charge of 3 U.S. military men and many Vietnamese national who collected human intelligence. He coordinated with a Vietnamese agency called “MSS” (military security service) and the CIA and U.S. Air Force.
My dad was stationed in Bien Hoa during the Tet Offensive. His base came under enemy attack and sustained significant losses, including most of the M.P.s who were providing perimeter security. The soldiers who were not killed were traumatized by this attack.
My dad chose to serve in Vietnam over 13 months vs. the typical 12 months (for one deployment). He chose to extend his deployment because that allowed him to fulfill his obligation to the Army. This also eliminated the need to serve additional years in the reserves.
Return Home and Adjustment to Civilian Life
My dad’s return home wasn’t easy. There were no readjustment classes or other programs to help prepare him for life after the military. Twenty-four hours after he received notice that he was leaving the war zone, he found himself in Oakland, California. He then went to Portland, Oregon, where he stayed with his older brother for a few months before returning to Michigan.
When he arrived in Michigan, the dog he loved (pictured above) had passed away. I know that seems like a relatively small loss, but he was looking forward to seeing his dog and it was one of many losses. His parents had moved to a new city, so he needed to adjust to a new location.
My dad’s mother was working in an office with a young lady named Carolyn. Although they were different ages (my grandmother was much older), they had a lot in common. They were both married and both went to different churches. They soon became friends. My grandmother told her that her son would be returning home soon from Vietnam.
Carolyn suggested that Jerry go to her church so she could introduce him to her sister-in-law, “Rita.” Jerry and Rita started dating, and my parents were married in 1969. I was born in 1970 and my brother was born in 1977.
My dad worked in the audio industry for most of his career. Despite the challenges in adjusting to civilian life, he worked tirelessly to take care of his family. He is a great dad to my brother and me, and a wonderful grandfather to my daughters.
Jerry Today
This is a picture of my parents, Jerry and Rita, from March 2025. My mom and dad attend church regularly, and my dad still plays his saxophone beautifully. He sees other veterans when he goes to his medical appointments at the VA clinic. My dad rarely discussed his military experiences while I was growing up, but he has been open to sharing more about them in recent years.
I am glad to learn more about my dad’s journey to Vietnam and his return home. Like many veterans before him and generations after him, my dad did not want to draw attention to himself. In many ways, he’s an average guy who grew up in 1950s America, raised a family, worked hard, and is now enjoying his retirement. While that is true of him and other combat veterans, it misses a bigger part of the story.
My dad is an ordinary man who made significant sacrifices and accomplished incredible things in his journey to Vietnam. He made these sacrifices out of a call to serve something greater than himself. He is exemplary and I am so proud of my dad.
Happy Birthday, Mom
We enjoyed celebrating my mom’s birthday with her a few days ago. My mom is very kind and loving. We didn’t do anything fancy for her birthday, but she said several times about how much she enjoyed her birthday.
We enjoyed family dinner and some time together. Just that simple celebration made her happy.
Dad's Birthday
My family enjoyed celebrating my dad's birthday earlier this month. Next year, he will be 80. We had a nice dinner and cake and enjoyed spending time together.
He has been visiting my brother in Montana for the past week. He will be home soon. I'll look forward to hearing about his trip.
Looking forward to a good year
Last year was a good year for me. My health was much better. I enjoyed time with family. Each new year brings opportunities and experiences to enjoy. This first half of 2025 will include couple of unique experiences for me.
My dad was accepted for the flight of honor program. I attended a flight of honor send off about 15 years ago to honor a WWII Veteran who attended my church. My dad is a Vietnam Veteran. He was deployed to Vietnam in 1967-68 and was present for the Tet Offensive. I am glad he was accepted to go. Part of the program includes having a family member or friend accompany the Veteran on the trip to Washington, D.C. and I will have this role for my dad. The event will be on 4/30/2025.
The past few years have included a number of losses for my family as some of our elders have passed away. We haven't had a family reunion for over 10 years. We are having a family reunion this coming June. I am looking forward to spending time with family in Michigan.
Christmas Eve 2024
I have been enjoying vacation and will be off from work for 2 weeks. This is the busy time of year for my wife Julie. She is a mail carrier and her post-office is short-handed. She has worked Christmas Eve more times than not over the past 10 years. She was home by 5pm this year, and we were able to attend Christmas Eve church service.
As we were getting ready for church and driving there, we discussed some challenges in our lives. For example: finances, family, changes in our culture, and how we might change our actions if given a second chance. While some of the specifics are unique to our situation, I believe the concerns are universal.
Every Christmas, I think about the story in Luke Chapter 2. As a child, my cousins and I would act out the story. I always wanted to be a shepherd. I wonder what the shepherds talked about on Christmas Eve, assuming their sheep were safe from wolves? They may have made small talk, or they may have kept quiet. They lived in a very difficult time, filled with poverty, sadness, and little hope. I believe they had some of the same concerns, Julie and I talked about today.
I would love to know what it was like for them when they heard the good news and glad tidings that night. I can guess what it was like, but I think the hope and joy they felt were beyond my imagination.
Julie and I enjoyed the church service tonight. We sang Christmas carols, listened to the scriptures and the pastor's message, and finished by lighting candles while singing "Silent Night." I am grateful for the hope the Savior brought to our world.
Christmas 2024
We are grateful for another good year. We live in a multigenerational household with our youngest daughter, Emily, and Dave's parents, Jerry and Rita. We are glad our family can be together and enjoy sharing meals and holidays.
Julie continues to work in the capacity of a rural carrier at the local post office. She has found it rewarding to serve her community and get to know her neighbors. This is the busy season for the delivery folks and many people find it convenient to order online.
Julie reached a milestone birthday this past November, turning 60. She was diagnosed with breast cancer early in 2024 and had surgery and completed radiation treatment in April 2024. The doctors have given her good reports post-treatment. In February 2025, she will have a return visit with her oncologist and is hopeful for another good report.
Dave is a psychologist at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He works in the primary care department with the physicians and nurses. When a primary care team believes a patient may benefit from mental health treatment, Dave provides care the same day. For many patients, brief therapy will meet the need. For patients with more complex needs, Dave will connect them with the mental health department.
Dave has been much healthier this year than the past few years. He started bicycling this summer. The climate in NC is mild and bicycling is a fun hobby.
Amanda and Will have been married for 3 years. They live about 20 minutes away from us. Will has recently sold his business. He continues to provide consultation for the new owner. Amanda is an attorney and works remotely for a law firm that is based in New York. Amanda had a work conference in Italy this year. She and her husband were able to spend some vacation time there after the conference and had a great time.
Emily is single and lives with us. She currently works for Goodwill Industries. She is considering career options. She applied for a job at a nuclear power plant and was hired, but is still waiting for HR to finish the hiring process. It is a secure facility and has a very complex hiring process. If that job does not work out, she is considering a career in aviation fabrication.
Dave's parents, Jerry and Rita, visit Matt and Katherine (Dave's brother and sister-in-law) in Montana a few times per year. They also visit family in Michigan, but don't travel often. Dave's dad stays busy with home renovation projects and his mom enjoys staying in touch with loved ones and visiting them when she can. They both enjoy playing with their 3 Great Pyranees dogs.