The Women Who Hold Our Family Together

Katelynne’s Side of the Story - Grandchildren Near and Far

This episode is a special edited version of a heartfelt conversation I had with my oldest granddaughter, Katelynne, about what it means to love family across the miles. When I first recorded this conversation, I thought the story was mostly about how Ruth and I felt as grandparents when our grandchildren moved far away. But after listening again, I realized the deeper story was Katelynne’s. Her words helped me understand what distance felt like from the grandchild’s side. In this episode, we talk about missing everyday moments, staying connected through phone calls and visits, the importance of being intentional, and the kind of love that distance cannot take away. For grandparents with grandchildren who live far away, I believe this conversation will encourage you to keep reaching out, keep loving, and keep building memories in every season.

As for Me and My House

In this heartfelt episode of Only for a Season, Mel reflects on a small plaque that hung in his childhood kitchen on West 43rd Street in Cleveland, Ohio. It read, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” That simple message became more than words on a wall. Through the quiet example of his parents praying, reading Scripture, and faithfully living out their faith, Mel saw what it meant to build a Christian home. This episode is an encouragement to young parents to let their children see their faith in everyday life, and a reminder to older parents with wayward children to keep praying, keep believing, and never lose hope. The seeds planted in faith are never wasted. #ofaseason

The Women Who Hold Our Family Together

In this special Mother’s Day episode of Only for a Season, Mel Cruzado shares a heartfelt reflection on the women who have shaped his life and family. He honors his wife Ruth of 46 years, along with their daughters Jennifer and Michele, and talks about the quiet strength, sacrifice, and love that mothers carry every day. From creating a home filled with warmth and tradition, to raising children and pouring into the next generation, this episode looks at the beauty of motherhood through the different seasons of family life. It’s also a message to men. A reminder to notice, appreciate, and honor the women in their lives while they still have the chance. A personal and faith-rooted episode about love, gratitude, and the legacy of a godly woman.

Grandchildren Near and Far - A Conversation with My Granddaughter

In this heartfelt episode of Only for a Season, Mel sits down with his firstborn granddaughter, Katelynne, for a deeply personal conversation about loving family across distance. From early childhood memories and summer visits to the emotional weight of missed everyday moments, this episode explores what it truly means to stay connected when grandchildren grow up far away. Together, they reflect on the joy, the challenges, and the intentional effort required to nurture strong relationships across the miles. Through laughter, tears, and honest reflection, this conversation offers encouragement to grandparents, parents, and families navigating similar seasons of life. A powerful reminder that while distance may change how we connect, it doesn’t change the depth of love.

A Piercing… and a Father’s Lesson

In this deeply personal episode of Only for a Season, I share a moment from years ago that has never left me. It was a simple situation. A decision my teenage daughter made… after I had asked her to wait. What followed was not an argument. There were no raised voices. No harsh words. Just a look… and a response that would shape both of us in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. This episode is about more than parenting. It’s about the weight a father’s response carries. Because sometimes… it’s not what we say. It’s how we respond… and what our children see in us in those quiet moments. If you are a father, or someone who influences the next generation, this conversation is for you. Featuring reflections on: * How our reactions shape our children’s hearts * The difference between control and influence * Creating a home that feels safe, not fearful * The quiet ways we either build trust… or break it “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger…” — Ephesians 6:4 This is a reminder that our words matter. Our tone matters. Even our silence matters.