July 1997 – Diane consumes books and articles about ALS. She watches for TV specials–anything that tells the truth about ALS. She and her husband soak up the viewpoints of ALS patients, their family members and caretakers.
Diane takes them all in and thinks about herself and tough decisions that lie ahead. Things like whether to go on a ventilator, Read the rest of this entry »
wind-whipped branches writhe
nestling birds cling for dear life
nature on rampage
* * * * *
It’s 3:00 am
I’m alone in the house Read the rest of this entry »
you pressed me today—
barely balanced defenses
crumble at my feet
* * * * *
Dear God,
I don’t like this one little bit. 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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
song birds caroling
sun breaking through mist-drenched air
dropping dew drumming
* * * * *
A mini rain-forest
reverberating voices
shimmering light-rays and Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth 