My friend Arianne Braithwaite Lehn shared this beautiful poem with me...The Gates of Hope by Rev Victoria Stafford...I saw wide vistas as I read the poem...
The poem begins for me with the line, "But a different, sometimes lonely place" and everything after is my reflection in the mirror of this poem. "The place of truth telling about my own soul..." Truth telling has been important to me since my mother called me a liar whenever I used my imagination. I told stories to the neighbors about my family which were, of course, outlandish and funny to adults. I embarrassed her so I was tongue-lashed whenever imagination snuck out of my pen, or crayon, or mouth. Thankfully, I reached a point in my life when I knew she was nuts and I was just guarded around her. She never knew me and didn't deserve to. Truth is the first thing on my mind when I think about the status of my psyche and my soul. (There's a poem in there someplace.) When I speak and think truth, it just feels good even though people don't like what I say - often. I think about them the way I thought about my mother.
I LOVE your accompanying photos. “You have set my feet in a broad place…” Psalm 31:8
The poem begins for me with the line, "But a different, sometimes lonely place" and everything after is my reflection in the mirror of this poem. "The place of truth telling about my own soul..." Truth telling has been important to me since my mother called me a liar whenever I used my imagination. I told stories to the neighbors about my family which were, of course, outlandish and funny to adults. I embarrassed her so I was tongue-lashed whenever imagination snuck out of my pen, or crayon, or mouth. Thankfully, I reached a point in my life when I knew she was nuts and I was just guarded around her. She never knew me and didn't deserve to. Truth is the first thing on my mind when I think about the status of my psyche and my soul. (There's a poem in there someplace.) When I speak and think truth, it just feels good even though people don't like what I say - often. I think about them the way I thought about my mother.
As always, your photos are life-giving.
As always I’m grateful they connect with you!!!
Beautiful,Beautiful,Beautiful words, photos,highlighting others words and wisdom. ❤️🙏❤️
Grace peace & love 🙏💞
The piece of ground to see
The world as it is and how it
Can be and will be.
I like the hope expressed in these lines