Is there anything ‘normal’ about ALS? If so, I haven’t yet discovered it. That’s ironic, since life itself is fraught with unexpected events, twists and turns. Yet we call it ‘normal.’ Why not ALS, too?
I learned early how to answer the inevitable question of my heart: Why me? Why my family? Read the rest of this entry »
Monarch at Longwood, August 2014
Guess what I’m writing about? Your name!
I never understood why my father insisted on being called ‘Daddy’, or why he insisted that I call you ‘Mother’! I wonder what you wanted to be called. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s late May 1960. I’m 16 years old and about to meet the 3rd most formative man in my early life. My father is #1. The Shopkeeper is #2. This man will become #3.
I’ve just graduated from high school and am looking for a job. Read the rest of this entry »
~~~~~Skyline Memorial Gardens, Portland, Oregon
I’m drifting
Tumbling through air
I reach for support
Search for you
But you elude me
Lost in sorrow and regret.
Are you lonely
without your Girls?
What can I offer
you now?
I’m not sure.
Maybe this will do
I want to write to you
Now and then
To tell you what’s happening
What I’m thinking about
What I’d like to ask you
Or say to you today
I don’t have a plan
I’m looking for
your heart so
mine can
rest.
Elouise
***
© Elouise Renich Fraser, 2 December 2014
Photo Credit: DAFraser, September 2014
It’s April 2011
Diane is in my dreams—
tall, beautiful
wearing a long, full
light mocha winter coat
that’s gently flared
in the back.
I see her
from the back,
looking over her left shoulder,
smiling at me. Read the rest of this entry »
Diane’s opening lines in Part 1 are loaded: “I am dying. Sooner rather than later.” Her entire piece is available here. The following letter is my response to her.
Dear Diane,
Your question and opening lines get right to the point.
I’ve been thinking about our family of origin and your immediate family. From my perspective, they’re light-years apart when it comes to talking in general.
For example, I can’t imagine us as children sitting around the kitchen or dinner table, chomping down food, elbows on the table, Read the rest of this entry »
Here’s a timely piece from Oswald Chambers (OC). It’s the daily reading for today, November 26, from Daily Thoughts for Disciples. During his life, OC commented more than once about long-faced, dour Christians. He found them unattractive. Sadly, when OC was traveling in the USA, he saw a considerable number of Read the rest of this entry »
September 2009. I’m still working on Week 1 in The Artist’s Way by Julie Cameron. The writing exercise asks me to name the voices of my Allies and Enemies. Not imaginary voices, but voices of real people who in one way or another encouraged or discouraged my creative self-worth.
My top three Enemy voices
When I was young I never told anyone I wanted to be a writer or an artist. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s September 2009. I’m beginning a long-overdue sabbatical, and am determined to get back to personal writing. I’m excited about using The Artist’s Way as my guide. Twelve weeks of structured exercises every day. I love it!
Well, maybe not all of it. Read the rest of this entry »
Houston, March 1999. A small family gathering in memory of Mother’s death in February. Several next-generation cousins are there. We watch a video of the memorial service for Mother. Death is in the air and on my mind. Not simply Mother’s death, but Diane’s and mine. Did Diane’s ALS break Mother’s heart? Read the rest of this entry »
Telling the Truth 