Living into the sacred space of God's everyday grace
I opened the door. I opened the door to people I trust and care about. I opened the door because I’ve been on this side of it for too long. Now that it’s open, I think, Well now what? I opened the door not only to let others in, but to let/nudge myself out. Out… Continue reading Door’s Open, C’mon In
Rereading an old post, I was caught by a particular phrase that struck me as if I were reading it anew. Time changes our ability to access every single detail. And like waking from a dream, there are moments of being half in one world and half in another. Grief in the rearview mirror is… Continue reading What’s in a name?
Nancy McNally: We've lost contact with the U.S.S. Portland. Leo McGarry: Well, they've gone quiet. They're a submarine. Nancy, hesitating: But they usually call in and say they're going quiet. Leo: I have to tell the President. Nancy: No, not yet. Leo: Why? Nancy: Because I think they’ve gone quiet. Yeah, I’m showing off. Except… Continue reading Gone Quiet
As a child when I tested my mother’s patience, I always knew when I’d crossed the line. The Look could stop me in my tracks. The one that silently conveyed, “I’d like you to stop that.” That screaming, that banging, that whining or whatever was getting on her nerves. Sometimes it was The Tone that… Continue reading Enough Already
Neat and tidy date. Messy and chaotic day. At my very base, I want to scream, “I HATE MOTHER’S DAY!!!” Which I don’t, of course. It is important to me to celebrate my own mom and many others. So what it is about one day in particular that makes it so stinking hard? There’s nothing more… Continue reading 5.10.15
I’m ignorant about world geography. If the country of Canada weren’t just an hour and a half away, I’d never be able to say that I’ve technically left the United States. Those global maps with just the outlines of countries? They make my eyes twitch and my brow furrow. So it is with Nepal, now… Continue reading More than a song
If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went." ~ Will Rogers I’m always interested in learning how people arrive at a name for their dog. Maybe because in college, I had a dog named Oliver and a cat named Cherry Pie. Long story. As most… Continue reading My Girl
I always thought the “gray areas” of life would eventually work their way toward one side or the other and become more polarized. But it seems once a subject goes gray, it stays gray and to try to color it otherwise usually appears unnatural. (Writes the woman who is not ready to be gray and… Continue reading Gray
Edited to add: If you landed here as a result of searching for "baby box" please know that these are my personal thoughts only, most of which indicate that I have more emotional work to do. There is help for you - no questions, no judgment. Please know that I pray peace for you. (Fair… Continue reading Baby Box
Seven years ago today. Eleven and a half weeks. Confirmation that the (last) baby died. Time is a different entity when it comes to The Big Stuff. It coalesces into a combination of forever ago and just yesterday all in the same moment. I still access the grief. That makes it sound like a decision. … Continue reading Seven Years
Patricia Alderman 