Holding Space

I met my best friend when I was four and she was five. We were in the same dance class and became instant friends. Almost all of my childhood memories include her, almost all of my high school sleepovers, as well as my college and young adult happy hours. We went to different colleges but…

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A Living Memorial

“Did you see Tos’s FB post? So sad.” I looked down at my phone on the kitchen counter, my hands covered in marinating sauce for tonight’s dinner. We were hosting friends from out of town and in deep conversation, catching up while cooking together. I wouldn’t look at the Facebook post until well after midnight when I crawled into bed. My…

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A Sacred Invitation

As I snuggle into my favorite chair in our living room, a soft blanket wrapped around my shoulders, the flickering flames in the fireplace take the edge off the chill of the previous night’s unexpected spring snowstorm. The house is quiet–too quiet. This quiet allows the sadness inside me to announce its presence with more…

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My Lovely Pilgrimage

The Pilgrim’s Credo– I am not in control. I am not in a hurry. I walk in faith and hope. I greet everyone with peace. I bring back only what God gives me. –-Father Murray Bodo* I was raised in the Christian fundamentalist tradition, then happily transferred myself to the evangelical tradition (that is, very…

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The Power of Presence

For the past fourteen years, the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe have been a constant in my life. With two boys coming of age as the 34 movies in this franchise were released, I spent many, if not most, of their birthdays from ages 8 to 18 sitting in a darkened theater watching the…

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The Gift of My Presence

Being present is a struggle for me. Growing up in a chaotic and angry home, being present wasn’t safe. I hid.

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No Second Chances

The air has a bit of a chill in it, the first leaves have started to change on our trees, sprinkling the yard with crimson, gold, and amber.  Summer has past, and fall is upon us.

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Tell Me a Story

The girl was fifteen and had on a summer Poplin jumper and Sperry Topsiders (for which I was envious).

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A Year of Kindness

“New Year, New You!” proclaims everything from ads for fitness clubs and weight loss centers to books by health gurus claiming to have THE secret formula for a happy and healthy you.

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