Diane’s life with ALS flew by way too fast. My Houston journals remind me just how difficult it was to live within each moment. Sometimes it seems I was stuck, holding my breath, waiting for Diane to die.
More often, though, I was sorting out what I could/could not reasonably do during my visits to Houston almost four times a year. Here are a few things I struggled with during my November 1997 visit. Read the rest of this entry »
lost treasure
baked in rubbish heap—
gold bounty
* * *
despite past pain
there’s no going back
to settle scores of
faulty judgments cast my way
with clear intent to harm Read the rest of this entry »
I haven’t always called myself God’s beloved daughter-child. For years I wouldn’t have dared presume such a high-minded view of myself. How did this happen? And how might this help me think about what I believed when I was 11 years old?
This post is about the first question: How did this happen? The second will wait. Thanks for being patient. If I don’t address today’s topic first, I’ll end up picking my childhood theology to pieces. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s September 1997, less than a year since Diane was diagnosed with ALS. The disease seems to have a mind of its own. In her case, it has decided to concentrate on her ability to speak. Diane wrote the following piece about this loss. Read the rest of this entry »
songs whistles chirps hoots
Nature Open for Business–
Visitors Welcome!
*****
I love my blog
I really do
The likes, the follows
All the views Read the rest of this entry »
As a child, my survival theology was short and to the point: (1) God would NEVER beat me like this, and (2) Jesus loves me no matter what, and wants to spend time with me.
My two small truths traveled well. Read the rest of this entry »
By the summer of 1997, about 1 ½ years after diagnosis, Diane’s speech and body no longer look or behave as usual. Sadly, I no longer know how to behave as usual around her. ALS is invading her body and her life. Read the rest of this entry »
dive-bombed cicada
tree trunk stormed by sqaub’ling squirrels
mid-summer madness
*****
Didn’t plan it
Can’t control it
Life just happens
As I walk along
anticipating nothing
in particular but
a quiet morning stroll
in glorious nature
Wouldn’t you know it Read the rest of this entry »
It’s the 1990s. I’m teaching a seminar on spirituality. At the beginning of the class I hand out to each participant, including me, a blank piece of paper and crayons. The assignment is simple: draw and color your childhood image of God. You have 5 minutes.
I drew and still have my image: Read the rest of this entry »
Diane, Sister #3, died in February 2006 after living 10 years with ALS. From October 1997 until September 2000 Diane wrote short pieces she called Words for the Ones I Love. Most are about her relationship to the local church she served for 7 years as Minister of Education/Administration. She took disability retirement in May 1996.
The pieces are not confidential. Diane gave me permission to use or publish them as I saw fit. In fact, she liked the idea that her words might be read by more than her family and friends. I’m excited to begin letting you see a bit more about her and the ways our lives connected. Perhaps she’ll connect with you, too. Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth 