The Neural Pathways of Suffering

Private Ryan: Tell me about your wife and the rose bushes? The Captain: No. No, that one I save just for me. ~Saving Private Ryan teaching scene There are a number of deeply thought-provoking scenes in the film Saving Private Ryan. In one of them, the Captain and Private Ryan are together in intimate conversation which the young soldier initiates. He asks the Captain, “Are you alright sir?” And when the Captain gives him a protective lie that he’s fine,...

A Baby Lamb and Its Mama in Distress

It’s midnight here and I just had a thought-provoking experience. After driving back late from my mural work on a stretch of country roads where I was literally the only car for a good 15 minutes or so, I needed to tend to my sheep. After cleaning up inside some, I went out back and planned to go down and give them their daily treats and check on them. My phone was dead and I had no flashlight but I...

Presence, Absence and Distance

There’s a saying these days, “Fake it til you make it.” I don’t like that statement; and furthermore, I don’t agree with it. Just what is one faking? And, more importantly, “What will it mean to ‘make it?'” I got into bed around midnight, and then, I lay there looking at my phone. I rejoiced with those who rejoiced at the birth of another child and grandchild, while my hopes of seeing my own grown children/grandchildren any time soon ebb...

A Letter That Will Make the Demons Tremble

“I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.”~ I Timothy 1:3-5 I had been thinking at some point starting to write letters to my grandbabies, but had...

Cousins, Conversation and “Concepts”

Yesterday we six Slifer women of either sister/first-cousin relationship gathered for the day to converse and catch up. There were two themes we came back to at points as we shared and reminisced on memories of past generations: 1. We all seemed to agree that as we get older, there are new or different questions we wish we could still ask of the older generations that we did not ask as much when we were younger and had opportunity. 2....

I Trust Him, I Trust Him Not, I Trust Him…

For who hopes for that which he already sees? I want to see my grandchildren, but it is not yet possible. I want to visit my son, but it is not yet possible.I want my sons to visit me, but it is not yet possible. I want a variety of relationships deeply restored and built, but it is not yet possible. I want to pay my bills, but it is not yet possible. I want this awful poison ivy to...