Tag Archives: Fr. David Gaines

My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2025

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Let’s make it a dozen. Today marks the 12th time I have scrutinized my blogging from the past year to recognize my top posts. A tradition I started in 2014, I affectionately refer to this entry as “The Big Blog Post.”

With an unofficial title like that, I always try to bring my “A” game for this post. When crafting this countdown, I take great care to select posts that matter to me. Entries that required extra effort, mixed in creativity, recognized special people, or adequately documented major milestones will always appear before posts that only stand out because of high views or social media popularity. Quality over vanity.

For the fifth straight year, I increased my blogging output by penning 188 posts in 2025 (2020: 172 posts, 2021: 173 posts, 2022: 180 posts, 2023: 185 posts, 2024: 187 posts). Faced with my highest number of published posts since 2019, I had the challenging task of identifying the top 5% of my work for this prestigious recognition. I think I did okay…

10. Soda and App Family (March 19) – Sid and I are aware of our different familial upbringings and we usually see the humor in it. One such instance occurred this year when we watched a TikTok video about “Soda and App” families and “Only Water” families. In my blog post I highlighted that dining out with the Mathis family usually meant fun/colorful drinks and a couple appetizers for the table. In my family, we stuck to water and if we ate anything prior to the main course it was either free bread or free chips that the restaurant provided. Our different ordering preferences growing up established the way we order as our own family of four. This entry makes the list because it is humorous but it also conveys how traditions from our families of origin can be fused together to make new ones.

Our family eating at Prospector’s, a delicious restaurant in North Spokane. Portions were so huge at this restaurant that there was never a need to order appetizers.

9. The Fun of Taste Tests (September 17) – My my my, we are starting strong with food-related blog posts, huh? Well, losing weight wasn’t one of my goals for 2025. In an attempt to offer my readers a fun idea to do with their families on a rainy day, I suggested unofficial taste tests conducted right in the living room. I demonstrated how easy it is to conduct such a test by re-hashing some of the ones my family conducted in the past. From jalapeno chips to cookie dough ice cream to lemon lime soda, I offered not just examples but tips as well. This post was entertaining to write and I hope I sparked some inspiration among my readers.

Sloan received the opportunity of a 5-year-old’s lifetime when I told her she would get to sample three lemon lime sodas.

8. Wishing Your Spouse “Happy Birthday” On Social Media – This post made the countdown because it did spark some debate and because I had a strong opinion about it. A smug influencer made a cringy video in which he declared that spouses who wish each other “happy birthday” on social media are insecure. Hmmmm. Although I conceded that I might be subconsciously insecure, I made it clear that I consciously wish Sidney a “happy birthday” on social media for other reasons. In the post I fleshed them out, including the desire to notify others that it my wife’s birthday, the creativity that social media allows for birthday wishes, and the documentation/historical aspect that digital communication offers. If the happy birthday/insecure arguments becomes “trendy” in the future, I won’t hesitate to point to this blog post.

I always wish my wife a “happy birthday” on all my social platforms.

7. Falling Down the Stairs (August 19) – Although short and rather insignificant, I knew when I wrote it that this post would make my yearly rundown. This entry takes the reader through my traumatic experience of falling down the stairs and the toll it took on my old body. But what seemed to really make this post shine was my daughter’s response when I told her my fall was caused by tripping on one of her toys. I still don’t appreciate what she said.

A look at the stairs I fell down in our house.

6. One Year An Eag (August 1) – I had multiple work-related posts I considered including but I decided to go with the most significant and all-encompassing option. I celebrated my one-year anniversary at Eastern Washington University by looking back at the main themes from my first 365 days while including a pretty spiffy Dr. Pepper motif. In the post I highlighted the meaningful work I embraced, the powerful work relationships I made, and the growth I experienced. I also questioned whether people telling me “It seems like you have been here much longer than a year” was a good thing or not.

Members of my team and I take a photo during a video shoot at Turnbull National Refuge. My first year at EWU was full of growth and adventure.

5. Our Father/Daughter Dance Tradition (February 11) – Earlier this year, I attended the St. Mary Catholic School Father/Daughter Dance with Sloan for the third consecutive year. Over those three evenings from 2023-25, some special traditions have been established. This blog post shared those traditions and included photos from each dance. I am grateful for this post because I think it will help Sloan and me uphold traditions at future dances and also serve as something to look back on years after my daughter has finished her time at St. Mary.

This post touched on the traditions we have established at the Father/Daughter Dance and showcased photos from all three years.

4. Why We Went to Disney World (May 5) – In 2025, we had the privilege of going on two major vacations: a cruise and a trip to Disney World. However, the blog posts that covered those adventures didn’t make “The Big Blog Post.” Rather, the post I wrote about why we went to visit Mickey did. You see, the only reason why we had the opportunity was because of my wife’s incredible work with her company, Traveler’s Insurance. Sidney won a prestigious award and was granted an all-expenses paid trip to Orlando. This post dove more in-depth about why she received the honor and how she was celebrated once we arrived at Disney World. Yep, the post is brimming with pride but it was the least an awestruck husband could do to properly say CONGRATS to his wife.

Thanks to Sidney’s work performance with Traveler’s Insurance, we were given an all-expenses paid visit to Disney World. This is us at the beach welcome party on Thursday, May 1.

3. Fr. David Gaines Dispensing Healing and Forgiveness (February 7) – Earlier this year, a priest I know was suddenly thrust on the national news outlets after being attacked at Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. Fr. David Gaines was participating in a prayer service from the cathedral’s sanctuary when a mentally ill individual sprinted from the pews and ambushed him. In the post, I expressed how touched I was by the way Fr. Gaines conducted himself both during and after the attack. While the attacker was throwing punches, Fr. Gaines did his best to calm him down. Afterwards, when Fr. Gaines was sought by organizations ranging from TMZ to NBC News (and everything in-between), his message was the same: forgiveness. How inspiring! The post allowed me to convey that I am proud to be Catholic, proud to be part of the Diocese of Spokane, and proud to know Fr. Gaines.

My brother and I receive a blessing from Fr. David Gaines right outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral during Bloomsday 2024. About nine months later he would be attacked inside that very same church.

2. Travis Overton: A Kind and Selfless Leader (January 1) – 2024 ended on a sad note when I learned on New Year’s Eve that Travis Overton had passed away unexpectedly. I worked with Travis during my time at Coastal Carolina University and was shocked to learn of his death. I wrote the entire next morning about our history together, his ascension up the career ladder, and how I respected him. I then told a story I had never shared publicly about Travis coming to my rescue during a very vulnerable moment. By far, the post was my most-read entry in 2025 but like I said before—I don’t strongly consider views when building this countdown. Rather, this blog post earned such an esteemed spot because it was a raw tribute to a friend and mentor.

Travis Overton was a special person. This photo is a screenshot from the 2016 holiday video. I was pretty surprised that I didn’t have an actual photo with Travis but you can spot me in the background trying to do a “dance move” in the teal hoodie.

1. Godparents to Neteyam (July 15) – This past summer, Sidney and I received the incredible blessing of becoming godparents again. That’s justification enough to earn the top spot on this countdown! However, the post I wrote regarding our godson receiving the holy sacrament went beyond just Neteyam getting baptized. It also delved into what set us up to become his godparents: our friendship with his mom and dad.

My top blog post of the year chronicles the mass in which Fr. Jeff Lewis baptized Neteyam Perry but it also speaks to our relationship with his parents, Dylan and Fidela. In just about four years we have gone from not knowing them to serving in one of the most important roles one couple can bestow upon another. The post fills in the blanks of those four years and reveals the glue that keeps us so united. It also gives glory to God for the gift of baptism. A post of the year for sure.

Me, Sidney, Fr. Jeff Lewis, Fidela, Neteyam, and Dylan pose for a photo in the St. Mary sanctuary after the baptism on July 6, 2025. Thanks be to God! (Photo courtesy of Dylan/Fidela/Family).

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And that will do it for my top posts of 2025. Thank you for your readership throughout this year and for any feedback you might have about my selections. The plan is to continue to write in 2026 so I hope you will continue to read Don’t Blink as we enter the new year. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s annual year-in-review. Don’t Blink.

Past Annual Top Blog Post Entries
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2024
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2023
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2022
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2021
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2020
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2019
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2018
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2017
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2016
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2015
My Top 10 Blog Posts of 2014

Fr. David Gaines Dispensing Healing and Forgiveness

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It is always interesting and uplifting how a seemingly disturbing incident can produce fruit.

On Tuesday evening, Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral held the second day of prayer for the Lourdes Novena for Healing. Our Lady of Lourdes is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane to which our family belongs. It is always a blessing and a treat when we attend mass at the Cathedral as it is a magnificent and beautiful house of worship. As is the case with most mother churches in dioceses across the world, things are usually done on a grander scale—or how us Catholics describe it—with extra “smells and bells.”

Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral is the mother church of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane. It is a beautiful place of worship and attracts people from all walks of life.

Our Lady of Lourdes is located in the heart of downtown Spokane in a very urban area. The throngs of worshippers who attend the parish come from all walks of life. Attend any service at the Cathedral and you are bound to see a vast representation of all God’s children. Many people who walk through the grand cathedral doors are suffering greatly.

During the prayer service on Tuesday, a shocking episode happened. As the celebrants knelt to pray in front of the Mary statue nestled in the makeshift grotto, someone rushed the sanctuary. The individual sprinted from his pew, ascended the stairs, and attacked Fr. David Gaines who knelt directly behind Bishop Thomas Daly. The assailant threw wild punches at Fr. Gaines as he managed to make contact with varying degrees of success. I have watched the stream numerous times and one thing is for sure: it is tough to watch. It is near impossible to defend yourself when someone is charging you from your blind spot while on your knees.

A screenshot from the Our Lady of Lourdes livestream of the attack on Fr. Gaines (edited photo courtesy of Metro).

Thanks be to God, parishioners and Cathedral staff quickly overpowered the 40-year-old mentally ill individual and removed him from Fr. Gaines.

Two things from the incident stand out that exemplify the compassion taught by Jesus Christ.

1. While he is literally being attacked, Fr. Gaines is calmly telling his attacker, “It’s okay buddy. It’s all right, just calm down.” With someone trying to seriously injure him, this warmhearted priest is trying his best to comfort the troubled gentleman.

2. After the man was removed, Fr. Darrin Connall, who was leading the Novena, didn’t scorn him. Instead, he prayed for him. He led the congregation in a “Hail Mary” for the guy who tried to harm his brother priest.

I met Fr. David Gaines during Hoopfest 2023. He came and watched our team play and then we got to hang out with him afterwards.

The aftermath has been just as inspirational. Thanks to the live streaming capabilities of Our Lady of Lourdes, the local media ran the video and covered the incident. It didn’t take long for the national media to follow suit. Media giants like TMZ and the New York Post latched on. NBC News did too—and they even interviewed Fr. Gaines.

Fr. David Gaines speaks with Camila Bernal of NBC News. What a great ambassador of the faith that Fr. Gaines has been.

In his humble and Christ-like nature, Fr. Gaines didn’t hesitate to express his forgiveness for the man. In fact, he even went beyond. In his own Pope John Paul II moment (the former pope/now-saint met with the person who shot him), Fr. Gaines said he would also like to meet with the person who sought to do him harm.

My brother and I received a blessing from Fr. David Gaines right outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral during Bloomsday 2024.

What an amazing example of what it means to be a Christian! I am proud to be Catholic, proud to be part of the Diocese of Spokane, and proud to know Fr. Gaines. Please pray for the healing of everyone, especially those dealing with mental illness. Don’t Blink.

Bloomsday 2024: A Bit Damp

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Perhaps this year’s Bloomsday experience was dampened a bit. Why do I write this? Well, it was literally damp—like really damp. For the seven days leading up to the race, the forecast called for cold temperatures and a constant rain. Unfortunately, for once, the weather people got it right. The rain started by the time we made it downtown and continued throughout the race.

Despite pleas from Sloan and Beau, they couldn’t get KREM 2 meteorologist Jeremy LaGoo to change his rainy forecast for Bloomsday. My kids talked to Jeremy at the Bloomsday Trade Show.

My experience was also dampened in a more figurative sense because I failed to PR this year. I hoped to run faster than my personal course record of 1:09:34. Instead, I ran 86 seconds slower than last year, crossing the finish line at 1:11:00. Although I still beat my 2022 time of 1:11:27, I wanted to be under the 70-minute mark and notch another PR.

A look at me as I near the finish line. Wish I would have ran a little faster!

But enough of the complaining, I still had fun! With my sister-in-law pregnant, it was just my brother and me this year. We hopped on the STA shuttle at Ferris High School and rode the bus downtown. To avoid standing in the rain for an extended period of time, we arrived at our starting line a little later this year. Although we always enjoy passing time by spiking beach balls and listening to the pre-race music, the enjoyment lessens under heavy rain.

My brother and I wear our ponchos at the Bloomsday starting line as we wait for the race to start.

When we crossed the starting line, that unmistakable first mile Bloomsday adrenaline kicked in. My boss calls it “race energy” and there really isn’t anything like it. As the contagious excitement engulfed us and we ran shoulder-to-shoulder with the masses, Glen and I veered to the side as we came upon Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral. By pulling over, we were able to receive a blessing from Fr. David Gaines who was on-hand to minister to Bloomies. After receiving God’s protection, we were set to cover the next seven miles.

My brother and I receive a blessing from Fr. David Gaines right outside of Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral during Bloomsday 2024.

Glen and I soon separated as we ran our own races. By this time, the steady precipitation didn’t matter anymore. With my focus fixed on putting one foot in front of the other combined with the sense of community that was ever present, the wet weather didn’t register with me. I was cruising.

Even though my final time suggests otherwise, Bloomsday didn’t seem as taxing this year. I didn’t battle cramps like I did in 2023 and Doomsday Hill didn’t seem as daunting. When I crossed the finish line, I wasn’t gasping for air.

A photo of me just about to cross the finish line (I am far right).

After the race, my bro and I continued a now three-year tradition of hitting up Flatstick Pub (which is super close to the finish line) for a celebratory beer. Once we downed those brews, we boarded the shuttle and headed back to Ferris High School and extended the second half of our post-Bloomsday tradition of finding a random dive to eat a greasy lunch and drink another round of beers. I then went home to rest on the couch.

Cheers! Glen and I share a celebratory beer at Flatstick Pub after Bloomsday 2024.

Race energy. I go back to that term from my boss. Although I wish I ran a couple minutes faster, I wasn’t deprived of the community excitement that was so abundant on Sunday morning. In the end, getting a heavy dose of race energy and crossing the finish line is all that matters. And when you experience both of those things, nothing can rain on your parade. Don’t Blink.