It hardly ever happens that I walk out of a movie theater after viewing a film and want to turn right back around and see the same film once again. Yesterday evening was one of those rare occurrences. I experienced such a strong desire to make a 180 degree turn back into the movie theater. […]
It’s now two days since Temma’s “big birthday bash”. It was a wonder! Close to sixty-five friends, neighbors, and family came out to celebrate Temma’s forty years of life, and many others who wanted to be there but could not make it. I have a little more time to reflect now than I did in […]
“It’s like a crossed over a bridge this week,” I said. I was trying to describe to a friend my experience at The Glen workshop sponsored by Image magazine in Seattle, Washington. “Like walking a bridge, I crossed over–from one space of grief, high stress, and feeling lost–into a space of creativity, support, and direction. […]
Tim and I had a date night last Friday. I had read about the new film about the author, Flannery O’Connor and so I was excited to find out that it was showing at a theater nearby. Both Tim and I are intrigued by O’Connor’s writing, her short stories like, A Good Man Is Hard […]
There’s some healing going on in our house. My writing is changing as I continue on in my practice. I no longer feel like I need to retell the trauma of Temma’s birth, near-death, coming back to life with profound brain damage and the shame and guilt that I wrestled with for so long. That’s […]
What are my spiritual practices now that I’m retired? No one in particular has asked me this question. My prayer sisters (especially one) keep on me about a church-going practice. But, no, I ask myself the question on this quiet day in November with the sun shining, Temma sitting beside me in her wheelchair looking […]
When was the last time I spent an entire day at home with my daughter, Temma, just the two of us? It’s been awhile. And, thus, not much time writing either, beside sermons, e-devotions, and newsletter articles. I have returned to full-time pastor work after five years working part-time in the church. When I was […]
My husband Tim and I met in an intentional Christian community in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We lived together in large households with other folks, pooled all of our resources together, worshiped, prayed, and shared our lives together. Tim and I were married in the community and the community surrounded us and held us up when […]
Writing From the Margins 