Here’s to us. Here’s to creating a life around the hollow left by their inability to mother. Here’s to loving our own children fiercely and well, despite all odds. Here’s to defying the limits our parents and our childhood tried to set. Here’s to life, to love, to hope! Brava or bravo to every one of us who survived. Who felt the pain of betrayal and loss. Who picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and started all over again. Many of us lost entire families, whole communities, affiliations with churches, schools and other organizations. Here’s to every single one of us who endured … [Read more...]
The Parable of The Pack
High on an Ethiopian plateau nestled the village of Kiramu. My home. Governed by a chieftain, this small thatch hut community hosted a Saturday market, had a flourmill, a weaver, and my best friend. Ethiopia raised me. Her culture taught me joy, family, the respect of the elderly, the richness of history, and offered safety. It was to these people I fled when being harmed at home. It is my African tribe I credit for stability as I sought to navigate my American tribe. Villages exist within a culture and tribe. There are customs inherent within them. My American village was a conservative … [Read more...]
To All of Us Who Had Lousy Mothers – Cheers!
Happy Mother’s Day! I’m touched by loving messages or memories of moms being honored by daughters and sons. My children have honored me well. But, for those of us who had less than adequate moms, this is for you. You are loved. R rated for realistic content. To All of Us Who had Lousy Mothers, Cheers! Here’s to us. Here’s to creating a life around the hollow left by their inability to mother. Here’s to loving our own children fiercely and well, despite all odds. Here’s to defying the limits our childhood, along with our parents, tried to set. Here’s to life, to love, to hope! Brava … [Read more...]
Keepers of the Lie
It was a footnote that changed my life. I had an amazing therapist. In the course of our work together he would occasionally suggest I read a particular book, or watch a movie and tell him what value it had for me. What was the lesson to be learned? The “Aha” moment? This week he invited me to read People of the Lie, by M. Scott Peck. It is not an easy read – but back to the footnote. A healthy person has an instinct to get away from something dangerous. Sometimes even healthy emotions may appear negative at first glance. Revulsion, for example. Who likes the idea of revulsion? But it … [Read more...]
