My Story

Welcome to Sparrow Eye. My name is Ed Snyder, and this space is a collection of reflections, family history, spiritual insights, and lessons gathered along a full, well-traveled path.

The name Sparrow Eye has been close to my heart for over fifteen years. It springs directly from the assurance in Matthew 10:31—"Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows"—and the timeless truth behind the old hymn, His Eye is on the Sparrow. It serves as a daily reminder that nothing in life happens by accident, no detail is too small to escape notice, and our lives are held with care and intention.

Roots & Growing Up in Pennsylvania

I was born in 1963 in Franklin, Pennsylvania, named after an uncle who served in WWII. I grew up alongside my brothers and sister on a 200-acre hobby farm in Cooperstown, surrounded by dairy cows, beef cattle, chickens, pigs, and horses. Life on the farm built a steady work ethic, but it was also where I found my early passions: reading classics above grade level, playing the cornet in concert and stage bands through high school, singing in chorus and musicals, and western-style horseback riding. Among our horses, a nearly blind white Appaloosa named Melody Bars became my trusted companion through my teenage years.

My faith was anchored at Cooperstown United Methodist Church, shaped by classic country, 70s soft rock, and early Christian artists like Keith Green, Rich Mullins, and Amy Grant.

Service, Career, & Growth

My journey has taken many forms over the decades:

• Military Service: I joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 1981 right before graduating high school. I later went on Active Duty as a Personnel Administration Clerk, serving 12 years and rising through the ranks to Sergeant First Class (E-7) with assignments from Sacramento Army Depot to Fort Sheridan, IL, and ultimately Fort Knox, KY.

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• Entrepreneurship & Career Transitions: After leaving active duty, I stepped into the civilian world—learning tough, valuable lessons through starting a pressure washing business, building a 13-year career in banking technology and applications support with Chase Bank, becoming an independent life and health insurance agent, and serving as a restaurant manager.

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• Federal Service: In 2022, I returned to serving soldiers and military families, working as a Human Resource Specialist with Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox.

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Through every career shift and season of change, I’ve learned that adaptability, goal-setting, and steady faith are essential for navigating life's turns.

Family, Faith, & Partnership

The central thread of my life began in the spring of 1981, when I was cast in the high school musical The Boyfriend alongside Laura Hall. We started dating, got married in 1986, and have built a wonderful life together through military moves, career pivots, and everyday moments.

Raising our three children—Dusty, Lindsay, and Aubri—across California, Illinois, and Kentucky was one of the greatest challenges and joys of my life. Seeing them grow into amazing adults who make the world better has shaped how I view everything around me. Today, that blessing continues to grow through our six grandchildren: Dusty’s kids (Isla, Ari, and Callum) and Aubri’s kids (Gabby, our very first, along with Jacob and Kylie).

In addition to our family life, entrepreneurship remains a shared passion. Laura recently launched Ally Bookkeeping, helping small business owners find financial clarity and peace of mind. Supporting her venture is one of my favorite privileges, and you’ll see her work featured here often.

Why This Site Exists

I didn't build Sparrow Eye to chase internet algorithms. My mother always told me I should have taken up writing professionally, and this site is my response to that gentle encouragement—a place to write simply for the joy of sharing.

Here, you’ll find:

• Reflections on Faith & Scripture: Noticing grace, growth, and divine care in the everyday.

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• Stories & History: Memories from the farm, military life, lessons learned, fatherhood, and humor.

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• Recommendations & Favorites: Books, music, helpful tools, and small business features.

Thank you for stopping by Sparrow Eye. My hope is that as you read, you’ll be encouraged to slow down, notice the grace in life’s quiet details, and remember that you are deeply valued.