About the Book

The big questions in life: Who am I? What is my purpose? Where do I find the answers? When will I die? Why am I here? How do I know what's true? The who, what, where, when, why, and how of your life, of my life, of anyone's life.

Whenever I pick up medications at the pharmacy, I'm asked, "Do you have any questions?" If it's someone new, I give the response, "Only existential ones, and we have to answer those for ourselves."

A philosopher, a physician, a recovering addict, a poet, a dreamer, a believer. Here are my poems. Read them, and you may find answers to life's big questions, as I did.

Endorsement:

I have known Dr. Giebink for many years and worked with him professionally. Once he sent me a copy of one of his poems, I recognized the beauty of his writing. I asked him if he had other poems and he gave me his manuscript. As I read through each poem, I was usually moved to tears. I told him about my books and asked if he was interested in publishing his work. He was too shy to think that anyone would want to read his poems. I told him that Jesus says in Matthew that we are the light of the world, the salt of the earth and it is our responsibility to share our strength, experience, and hope with anyone who will listen. Maybe God wanted him to share his poems. He was still reluctant, but I kept asking him if he had sent his manuscript to a publisher and he kept saying no. I emailed him a list of publishers of poems and finally he forwarded his work to you. I believe this; the world needs this book because many of us feel the same way. We feel too insignificant to do God's work, but the Bible is full of flawed people called by God to share his message.

─Robert R. Perkinson, Ph.D.

Reading Bob Giebink's reflections on his family in the Introduction to Rising in Glory: Poems from a Freed Soul provides an insight into his personal journey. Bob's parents, whom I knew, were exemplary people. His siblings, too, were influential in many lives; in my case, that was especially true of Bob's sister Jan.

Bob's poetry that follows reveals an outdoorsman, a healer (Bob is a psychiatrist), a man who loves his family and friends, and a man of deep faith. I recommend this book to anyone. You will benefit from reading it!

─Steven J. Bucklin, PhD Emeritus Professor, The University of South Dakota

About the Author:

Born Robert William Giebink, August 19, 1955, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Named after my father, Robert - Bob - an orthopedic surgeon, and William Hruza - Bill - a general surgeon. They had high hopes and expectations for me. They encouraged me to go into medicine but never pushed me. I had other interests like literature, earth science, sailing, skiing, fishing, going to rock concerts, and experiencing what life had to offer. I had to learn the hard way.