I can identify well with the first part of this essay... thank you for beautifully expressing many of the thoughts and feelings I've had over the past few years. Life-and-death parenting is nothing like what I thought my life would be. I also appreciate your reflections and blessings about faithfully living our lives now. Amen. May you and your family enjoy moments of peace and joy this Advent season.
Dearest Marcie, sending so much love. I remember all too well the fragile Christmas season after my kid came home from an inpatient psychiatric hospital. May you and your family find light moments of joy and connection together.
I feel this first part in my bones. Loving a child who struggles every day to want to live in this world is not covered in the baby books. The fear and agony that accompany a love so deep it seems bottomless make it hard, some days, to celebrate with abandon, to open the door wide when joy comes knocking. And still, that is where the hope lies, in the revolutionary act of putting up pink trees in a life that feels like it is hanging by a thread, as if to say, "Today we are here, and alive, and we rejoice even though, or perhaps precisely because, tomorrow is not guaranteed."
And the second part felt a heartfelt finger-wagging. It is far to easy, for me, to get wrapped up in the misery to be witnessed world-wide. But isn't the whole point of Jesus, as you so eloquently note, to remind us that our work is to love one another in any and all circumstances, come literal hell or high water? The whole point is that love wins, always, even when we can't see it or imagine it or believe it. So, thanks for the reminder that suffering is inevitable in this broken world, and it is the only way we can build our compassion, our ability to walk with others in their suffering. And that's our greatest calling.
Pope Francis letter 💌 that reads "love the sinner hate the sin" is what helped me accept my child's lifestyle realizing my child is on his own journey and all I need is be support & love along the journey, not judge nor jury, trusting God every day, one day at a time, God don't sleep 🙏
Thank you Marcie, yes, yes & yes, reverberated thru and thru! 💗
Thank you for this! Praying for peace for all our families
🙏🏾
This went straight to the center of my heart like a healing arrow. Beautiful. Thank you.
I feel all those Moma feels. ♥️
Trying to find hope and light in all of it.
I can identify well with the first part of this essay... thank you for beautifully expressing many of the thoughts and feelings I've had over the past few years. Life-and-death parenting is nothing like what I thought my life would be. I also appreciate your reflections and blessings about faithfully living our lives now. Amen. May you and your family enjoy moments of peace and joy this Advent season.
Peace & joy to you and your family as well 🙏🏾
Dearest Marcie, sending so much love. I remember all too well the fragile Christmas season after my kid came home from an inpatient psychiatric hospital. May you and your family find light moments of joy and connection together.
Jodi—a thousand thanks. It’s always encouraging to hear from other parents. Blessings to you and yours 🙏🏾
Thank you. Your honesty and love shine through. May each of us who read this help that honesty and love spread to all.
I’m going to search for a pink Christmas tree.
Thank you Linda.
FYI— just about every place that carries Christmas trees has a pink one! You’ll be spoiled for choice.
I feel this first part in my bones. Loving a child who struggles every day to want to live in this world is not covered in the baby books. The fear and agony that accompany a love so deep it seems bottomless make it hard, some days, to celebrate with abandon, to open the door wide when joy comes knocking. And still, that is where the hope lies, in the revolutionary act of putting up pink trees in a life that feels like it is hanging by a thread, as if to say, "Today we are here, and alive, and we rejoice even though, or perhaps precisely because, tomorrow is not guaranteed."
And the second part felt a heartfelt finger-wagging. It is far to easy, for me, to get wrapped up in the misery to be witnessed world-wide. But isn't the whole point of Jesus, as you so eloquently note, to remind us that our work is to love one another in any and all circumstances, come literal hell or high water? The whole point is that love wins, always, even when we can't see it or imagine it or believe it. So, thanks for the reminder that suffering is inevitable in this broken world, and it is the only way we can build our compassion, our ability to walk with others in their suffering. And that's our greatest calling.
Francesca, this is so very very beautiful. I feel very heard and seen. Thank you so much for this. It’s deeply appreciated 🖤🙏🏾🖤
Pope Francis letter 💌 that reads "love the sinner hate the sin" is what helped me accept my child's lifestyle realizing my child is on his own journey and all I need is be support & love along the journey, not judge nor jury, trusting God every day, one day at a time, God don't sleep 🙏
Thank you Marcie, yes, yes & yes, reverberated thru and thru! 💗