Image from Wikimedia. A selection of books by Bessie Marchant (1862-1941)
The Stories We Don’t Tell
My Disabled Self & Stories We Tell (Pt 2)
In part one of My Disabled Self I came to realize that how we think, converse, and believe about heaven and disability reveals more about our own heart in the present than it does of any future existence for ourselves or those we love who are profoundly disabled. So, while I cannot say with absolute... Continue Reading →
My Disabled Self, Part 1
I spent a good part of 2021-22 attending to the subject of disability theology while processing my life-long experience with my older developmentally-delayed sister who has lived with cerebral palsy from birth. Together we sorted through past memories to compile a short book for her to share with others. Many of those stories are available... Continue Reading →
For Helen’s Sake
Today I write for the Helens in the world. Helen is a person I've not met. This post could just as easily be for Henry or Harold or Hannah or Hope for they live among us. But it is the name Helen I wish to be remembered. The Helens in the world are all around... Continue Reading →
The Power of Life
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 →
Becoming Mama’s Little Helper
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 →
Suffering is … ?
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 →
Community & Covid
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 →
“A Tale of Two Churches,” Part 2: Gathered Together in the Sanctuary
Unexpected Changes Let's leave the 60s behind and fast forward to the year 2000, the start of a new century. So much had taken place in our family and in both of our lives in the decades leading up to this story. Those stories are waiting to be told. Here is a quick summary of... Continue Reading →
A Tale of Two Churches, Part 1: Worship in the Basement
The Basement A little earlier this morning my sister called and asked what I was doing. I was reluctant to share that I was writing this piece for my blog, but then changed my mind. I flipped my phone camera towards my laptop to show her the photo of her baptism displayed on the screen.... Continue Reading →