Thoughts from My Corner of the World
Recently this book, "The Representative Women of the Bible," published in 1907 caught my eye. It was high on the top shelf in the library - tucked between numerous modern and post-modern works about women. I've read so many books about women - written by women and written by men. The concept of woman, her... Continue Reading →
I've been working for months moving the books from my small study in a nook in our bedroom into what used to be my sewing studio. Today I asked myself where this passion for books came from and remembered a time when I was about six years old. I was kneeling in front of a... Continue Reading →
This post is about the insidious ways we silence others. While scrolling through my FB feed a few weeks ago, an ad for a new movie, Women Talking, popped up. The movie is based off the earlier book written by Miriam Toews. I watched the trailer, did some research, and quickly ordered the book from... Continue Reading →
If you've been following my writing you may be aware that I am focusing a good portion of my writing exploring the theology of disability. The subject of disability and the real-lived experience of the disabled naturally leads us to ask questions such as: What is the purpose of their suffering? Does every disabled individual... Continue Reading →
Vickie celebrated her 71st birthday a while ago. Wouldn't the medical prophets from the past be surprised to discover how wrong they were in calculating the length of her life. I read somewhere that living-things thrive to continue to be alive. The will to live is a powerful force. A month before her birthday I... Continue Reading →
Playing House The milk separator was spinning and loudly clanking in the corner of the room doing its magic: separating the rich, delicious cream from the milk. The watery substance left behind (sold in today’s market as skim milk) was tossed out to the pigs. Vickie and I were playing house. I was six or... Continue Reading →
Weaker and Stronger I was trapped. I stretched my little hands as hard as I could, trying to swat at the ants swarming all over my face. My head was stuck on the other side of the headboard in the bed I shared with my sister Vickie. We were very young. I was a toddler,... Continue Reading →
Bad theology keeps us up at night! I've spent years sorting through the reasons given for suffering. Several years ago I wrote briefly about what I called a child-like theodicy. I described how my older, disabled sister and I tried to make sense out of why she was born with cerebral palsy. We knew in... Continue Reading →
What do you see? "See it," she asked in an excited voice, bubbling with glee! "See what?" I asked, quickly scanning the small screen on my phone for clues. I noticed her silver cup in the blue, cleverly designed swivel device. Years ago when she first moved into this new facility she was too shy... Continue Reading →
Jesus Wept My nickname as a child was brenda-bawl-baby-nuss. My middle name is Jo, but bawl-baby prevailed. Often when caught in a crying-fit, usually at the dinner table, my dad would sing out: "Bawl-baby, Brenda. Bawl-baby, Brenda." Perhaps this was a father's misguided attempt to humor me into a state of calmness. It never worked.... Continue Reading →