This wedding photo has been in my living room for almost 30 years. Do you see the beautiful young bridesmaid on the right, throwing rose petals? Her name is Rose Mary. She […]
Against The Dying of the Light
What She Said, May 23: Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” –Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
On Mattering
God walks out of the room when you’re thinking about money. –Quincy Jones I think a lot about mattering. Do I matter, how can I help other people know that they matter, […]
The Problem of Suffering
I’ve been concerned about suffering since I was eight, and I went to a friend’s Baptist church with her. They had fun games about remembering things from the Bible, and—always the showoff […]
Writers and Meditation
I gave this talk as part of a panel with Casey Clague at the Gulf Coast Association of Creative Writing Teachers conference a couple of weeks ago, so forgive the speech-like feel. […]
I’m Nobody
I’m Nobody! Who are you? Are you – Nobody – too? Then there’s a pair of us! Don’t tell! they’d advertise – you know! How dreary – to be – Somebody! How […]
Comparing Suffering
Comparison is the death of joy. –Mark Twain A lot has been said about the potential for suffering when comparing yourself to your friends on Facebook—they seem to be happy, successful, living […]
The Gloria Sirens 