Category: Spiritual
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Faithfullness
Growing up, my church community and Hollywood presented conflicting messages about romance and dating. The tension at least provided me with a broader view. And I felt I could forge my own path. My inexperience flirting during adolescence has saved me a lot of grief later in life. I didn’t like games. I still don’t.…
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Crikvenica ROM2021
It’s the morning of goodbyes. Two weeks ago many of us were complete strangers. In such a short time we became lifetime friends. We’ve learned together, played together, sang, shared and cried. The meals we shared provided interspersed extraordinary connecting time. We hiked to old castles through snake trails, crossing rivers, pushing our limits. We’ve…
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Morning prayer
For three weeks I got used to waking up before sunrise, walk up to the office to get some coffee, take a walk on the beach. Enjoying the silence, the calm sea, the fresh cool air. Camilla was my faithful companion. Alan too, while he was there. Then others took his place. We read a…
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Peninnah
On Empathy Night I shared part of my story of forgiveness. I frankly couldn’t think of any story of reconciliation in my life, well-defined enough to make sense. But as we heard about what forgiveness is, a journey, a decision, it is not for the other person but for our own freedom. Forgiving is not…
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Grumbling in the desert
Nothing like a dose of humility served with ingratitude by your daughter in front of all your friends. As we give her the stage (because she like to talk or be the center of attention, but she doesn’t have all the filters in place, because she is still a kid, she is still 7, going…
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The order of things
What comes first? What base relationship influences all the others? The way we related to our parents or to God? Subconsciously I still relate to God the way I related to my parents before I could articulate my opinion or preferences. I feel seen, safe, and I am obedient. I don’t take Him for granted,…
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Therapy with friends
After 37 years life I receive with awe and open hands the genuine love of friendship. I’m so aloof, I can barely understand the sustainability of such friendship. But I’m grateful for it. It is pure grace. when you are exhausted and not daring enough to leave your comfort zone even after it became uncomfortable,…
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Community Friday
This large space in our new house inspired us to start a journey of social healing after a year of solitude. Liviu loves to cook, and we provide the spices, the comfortable space and the drinks. It took us a year to sink, slide, tumble. It should take us just as long to steadily and…
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My take on depression
As an adolescent I had no time to be depressed. I used every opportunity I felt weepy to cry to God. No wasted tears. I didn’t rebel. I spent ample time reading and introspecting. My husband makes fun of me for being a perfect child. Laugh all you want. But my demon was fear. Most adults…
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Traveling through layers of depression
I have traveled Through post adoption depression Gently and kindly kept safe By poetry and psalms. High highs and low lows Furry and numbness I have traveled through seasonal depression The never ending cold The wet and dreary weather Safely embraced and soothed by the listening ears I have traveled through pandemic depression Not alone …
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Time stands still
After a delicious lunch (pasta penner with ham, broccoli and white sauce) we had ice cream on the patio. It was peaceful. It was warm. And we acknowledged the blessing and the joy of the moment. It has been a long time since I felt this way. And my heart burst with gratitude. In the…
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Anxiety makes poor decisions
Acting out of fear, concern, worry, it’s not my comfort zone. It dawned on me that I have experienced a slew of unflattering yet real feelings. My emotional radar was being jammed by white noise. From outside and inside. I finally made the last payment on the house and a fog was lifted. Or better…