Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Category: Spiritual Formation

January 21, 2016

Storm Warnings and PTSD

Empty_supermarket_shelves_before_Hurricane_Sandy,_Montgomery,_NY

sky darkens
clouds thicken
squirrels panic
birds gorge
breath freezes
cold bites
wind gusts
grocery shelves empty

Storm warnings. Do you know the signs of what’s coming when the storm is called PTSD? I’m surrounded by people living with PTSD every day. Each of us is affected by PTSD even though we may not personally have this disorder.

I’ve never been in the military or hunted down and terrorized in open warfare. Yet I live with PTSD connected to early childhood and teenage trauma at home. It began erupting Read the rest of this entry »

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January 20, 2016

Going to Seminary | Part 12

Wedding Pic edited, FRASER_S_0011

I’m looking at a 58-page single-spaced paper completed in summer 1974. Authors: D and Elouise. Title: A Biblical View of Women.

Immediate thoughts:

  • I can’t believe we did this!
  • I’m so glad we did this!
  • I will never do anything like this again—not for any amount of money!

Read the rest of this entry »

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January 19, 2016

The Distance

Universe and Tree, twitter.com

 

The Distance between Lonely
and Alone is like the Chasm
between Perpetual Ache
and Irreversible Death

For one, Sweet Balm—
for the other, Being Embalmed Read the rest of this entry »

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January 19, 2016

One Day and One Dream Later

garden_adventure_of_the_little_puppy_photos_pictures_puppy_MIL56026

Sunday evening I agonized over whether to post Presence on Monday morning. Was it long enough?  Good enough? Worth anyone taking time to read? Read the rest of this entry »

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January 17, 2016

my life’s inheritance | From an Old Soul

Sunrise, dawn-kinnoull-hill-river-tay-scotland-5051757749

~~~~~Dawn sunrise from Kinnoull Hill above the River Tay, Scotland

I can’t help it! Abandoning George MacDonald is not a possibility. So today we’re embarking on his August sonnets. He’s still talking with his Lord, though from a slightly different perspective. As before, his conversations with God include striking images, personal struggle, Read the rest of this entry »

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January 15, 2016

Going to Seminary | Part 11

women-arriving-at-the-tomb-by-artist-he-qi

Women Arriving at the Tomb, by Artist He Qi

It’s spring 1974, nearly the end of my first year in seminary. The role of women at home, in faith communities and in society is a hot topic Read the rest of this entry »

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January 14, 2016

old women’s visions

Abandoned-Places-From-Around-The-World-22-An-abandoned-house-in-the-forest

old women’s visions
sigh in abandoned forests
of dreams and regrets

***

Does this sound like a downer? I don’t intend it as a downer. The truth is simple: Read the rest of this entry »

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January 13, 2016

in the presence of elders

forest_in_winter-wallpaper-1920x1080

in the presence of elders
a bench awaits me
small among survivors
of what I cannot see
silent they surround me
bear scars made beautiful
newly touched by pure
wool of soft winter snow
steady they line the way
ahead through crystal mists
calm healing presence
towers above me far
from places long called home

*** Read the rest of this entry »

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January 12, 2016

Kindness Matters | Memories

kindness

My Mom died in 1999. During the last year of her life she showed me a photo of a childhood friend, a write-up about her, and an obituary.

Sybil was a few years younger than I. Her mother kept the outdoor hog pen I describe in my poem, 1951. To me, Sybil was a friend in name only. I was put off by Read the rest of this entry »

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January 10, 2016

Living upon thy air | From an Old Soul

“Living upon thy air.” The air God gives me with each breath. Air that binds me to you by way of Christ, the Lord of life. Not with ropes, chains, locks, or any number of good deeds to prove I deserve special treatment.

MacDonald’s last two sonnets for July are Read the rest of this entry »

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