Not Liking This Life - MAILBAG

Thanks so much....

I wrote on Saturday — and many of you wonderful readers wrote back. Wow.

Clearwater beach, Fla., March, 2026

I can’t thank you enough.

The rant that I expelled — a self-absorbed lament that I wasn’t planning to issue, but just sorta came out through tears, like snot extruded from a toddler’s nose — got a lot of people worried about me, judging by the comments. I’m okay. Trusting God. Thankful for each day.

I am overwhelmed by all the loving comments, I have to say. My “reach” here on Substack is rather small, but I got a bunch of supportive comments. I’m grateful.

But man, over on my Facebook page (where I also waxed rant-o-logical, since ranting, after all, wants an audience), my post is moving toward a quarter-million views, if you can believe that — it’s a strange world we live in today — and I’m still trying to get through the 1.5-thousand comments (and counting). So, thank you.

Indeed, readers were so kind that I thought I would share some examples of these words of kindness.

*****

What a window into the lives of others who are also hurting, and who are kind enough to offering encouraging words and prayers.

From the heart

So many people said they were praying for me. Not in a performative or perfunctory way. Heartfelt. Sweet, actually.

Jeannie: Prayers for you, Rob, and your very beautiful wife.

(She’s got my wife sized up right.)

Other comments were simply prayers.

Mae: We ask that if he is not completely healed from this cancer then we pray that you Lord and Savior allow him to have minimum pain if any at all.

Amen to that! We mustn’t underestimate or dismiss “Praying for you” comments. These are people who are talking to the God of the universe… on my behalf. That’s pretty awesome.

Tears = good

Debbie: I read your post with tears in my eyes.

Well, a couple mentioned their own tears, but more mentioned mine.

Kathy: Rant away…and let those tears flow.

Randy: Our tears are a voice that God understands — a liquid prayer that is not ignored by our Father!

Tears: liquid prayer. I like that.

Photo by Anirudh on Unsplash

So many hurting

I could not get over how many people were moved to share about their own health struggles. It’s heart-rending. Here’s small sampling:

Ingrid: Presently in a clinical trial at Sloan Kettering.

Sharon: I have degenerative cervical stenosis of my neck and the pain and other symptoms are unbearable at times.

John: As a person who has three relapses of [prostate cancer[ I hear you… two cycles of radiation 13 years apart and for the past two years getting Eligard shots every three months. [Note: I also get those Eligard shots.]

Hilda: I lost my friend to cancer stage 4, her funeral Monday.

Sandra: I myself am suffering from stage four cancer and it spread from my lungs to my spine.

Sally: I lost my husband Dec 9th from cancer. I’m still numb and can’t believe he’s gone.

You guys, I am praying for you. By name.

Encouragement

I know I’m old, but I never can get over it when people tell me they grew up watching me on WFMZ-TV. And these aren’t, um, young-looking people. Ha! I actually receive it as a blessing when people tell me that.

Gunzalis: You played a huge part in all of our homes as family should…with good news and bad news.

I love that. Thanks for all who said similar things. And for those who remember the kind of snacks I would mention on the air! I guess I mentioned Tasty-Kakes a lot.

Regena: Get some Butterscotch Krimpets or Peanut Butter Tandy Takes.

There were plenty of other smart exhortations.

Steve: Sometimes you just need to vent, or cry, or ask God what’s with this mud you put in my way? He can take it and I think he wants us to share when we feel like garbage sometimes. It’s what friends do.

Becca: You have a right to be crabby!

Melinda: Don’t worry about your house. That’s the least of your problems.

Patricia: Don’t cancel that trip - get a mobility scooter! Go on that trip!!

Linda: Just take care of each other and love each other as long as you can.

And I’ll wrap up with one of the many citations of Scripture that people sent me. An old friend named Neil pointed to 2 Corinthians 4:16. Pretty applicable:

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Finally, another heartfelt THANK YOU to all who have responded to my lament with words that are precious to me. My legs and back are a little ouchy tonight, but I go up to bed happy and awash in blessings.