I just came in from mowing my lawn, and pulling up a mess of matted, withered, crunchy and dry flower stalks in the beds. It's almost fall, and though it hasn't turned cold and STAYED cold yet, everything is in the process of turning crunchy and withered. I could have let those splayed out viny… Continue reading Let’s Talk About Death, Baby… wait, should we? Shhh!
Tag: family dynamics
Attachment, abandonment, and being a pastor’s spouse in the time of Covid
There's a lot swimming around in my brain right now, and for some reason it kind of came to a head last night as I tried to drift off to sleep. Isn't that always the way? For those of you who don't know me personally, I'm married to a Lutheran (ELCA) pastor. He serves a… Continue reading Attachment, abandonment, and being a pastor’s spouse in the time of Covid
We should be uncomfortable with this
I am feeling my blog title acutely, in the wake of ANOTHER mass school shooting. Alive: Well, in a country with a gun obsession that claims to be more about "my rights!" than worshiping guns, I made it another day in the USA without being gunned down in a supermarket, church, school, public park, or… Continue reading We should be uncomfortable with this
When Avoidance Ties You up in Knots
We all have things we avoid, or resist, in hopes that if we just ignore the issue for long enough that... it might just go away. Big things or small things. We just seem hardwired from a young age to avoid the hard and uncomfortable things that would work out much better if they were… Continue reading When Avoidance Ties You up in Knots
Be afraid… be very afraid
My 5th grader is an absolute movie buff. He has borrowed library DVDs since he was a tot in the kiddie section, streamed since he knew how to use a remote, and campaigned feverishly for what we'd rent since it became our Friday night tradition. His holiday and birthday wishlists contain more movies than toys.… Continue reading Be afraid… be very afraid
Maybe She’s Born With It
I find myself sometimes wondering how I come off to those of you who read my posts, but don't know me personally. Or maybe you knew me in a walk of life long past - and we haven't seen each other in a long time. I say this because I know, as I think and… Continue reading Maybe She’s Born With It
Feel how you feel
Dear 13yo: The world will throw a lot of stuff at you, and ask you to smile anyway. Feel how you feel. You'll be asked to tone down your responses and smooth over and buff out your frustration. Feel how you feel. You'll be asked to lower your voice, censor your heart, be "a lady."… Continue reading Feel how you feel
Sitting in the Suck
I find myself, tonight, in a MOOD. It's actually been here for much of the day too, truthfully. It's been a hella rainy, everyone at home, too much misdirected energy kind of day. And this low... aggravated... frustrated... impatient mood is just here to visit. And I find myself trying, trying TRYING to resist it.… Continue reading Sitting in the Suck
Is the answer to simply “leave Britney alone”?
Is Britney being mistreated and exploited?Probably, yes.Does she need help to manage her life and issues?Probably, yes. I listened to her whole statement. I hear her frustration, anger, overwhelm, and relief in finally speaking honestly and in being heard. I hear her state she's depressed, traumatized, unable to sleep, cries constantly, and can't trust anyone.… Continue reading Is the answer to simply “leave Britney alone”?
Destroying loving-kindness one meditation at a time
Without going into the history of the Christian Lenten season, I'll share with you that I observe it annually. It began yesterday, on Ash Wednesday. As many do, I usually either choose to give something up (sacrifice) or add a spiritual practice, in hope that I'll turn toward God and continue to grow in Him.… Continue reading Destroying loving-kindness one meditation at a time
alive. awake. uncomfortable. 