Belonging to Myself

In honor of the tenth anniversary of Red Tent Living, we are featuring a monthly legacy post written by one of our regular contributors from the past decade. Mary Jane Hamilton is one of our original matriarchs; with us from the inception of Red Tent Living, she has helped shape this space with her wisdom,…

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One Letter at a Time

“Disconnected” is the word I would use to describe how I was feeling during 2020. As a grandmother of six grandchildren, I slowly began to realize that I was missing them. Connecting through social media felt too invasive, too quick, and too sterile, as my heart drifted away from them. I was experiencing the losses…

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A Voice in the Valley

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” Psalm 23 speaks to me loudly as I continue to walk down this path that seems so familiar to me. It is not one I would have chosen to traverse; yet it is one that I find myself on. One could say that…

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A Legacy of Love

It has been over five years since I wrote about my beach glass collection. Actually it was the topic of one of my first entries for Red Tent Living. I posted an impressive picture of that collection that is repeated here for your enjoyment. My beach glass is no longer clustered together as in the…

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Comfort Zone of Grace

The first time I heard the words ”comfort zone”  was in my Sunday school class back in the late 1970’s. It was presented to me in the context that if I was living in that zone I was most likely not risking for Jesus. I remember feeling uncomfortable and vulnerable just sitting there as those…

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Tattoos or no Tattoos

There are a few things about aging that have surprised me. They are the ones I’ve noticed today that I am sure were not there yesterday. Aging can be as simple as the deepening fine lines around my eyes or the wrinkling of skin on my once taut thighs. I have to admit that the…

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Strangely Protected

There is a certain intimacy that accompanies prayer with another person. One would think that the person closest to you would be the easiest one to engage in prayer, but I have found that not to be so.  John and I have had numerous fits and starts to a prayer life together that dwindles before we…

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Reigniting Desire

Belle is my puppy and I am 71 years old.  Some said, “You are too old to get another dog.”  Others suggested, “ Get another rescue dog. They are usually older and easier to handle.”  My brother Bill’s counsel was the one I needed to hear.  He said, “You will never realize the benefits of…

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Belonging to Myself

One would think that at my age I would know where I belong.  Quite frankly, I thought I did know.  Yet I am discovering that where I belong has evolved over the years as my awareness of what it really means to belong has shifted. 

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