Claiming and Bonding: The Story of Mama Bear, Grandma Bear, and Pastor Bear

By Marilyn Gates Our guest blogger for Mother’s Day, 2022 is Marilyn Gates. Marilyn lives with her family in the Twin Cities. I met Marilyn some years ago via our sons, Dave Gates and Francis Shen who were college buddies. When Francis and Sophie moved to the Twin Cities, Dave and family introduced them to… Continue reading A Journey to Motherhood →

The Greening has arrived! Last month I suggested that we look for the green to erupt. I must be honest and share that “my tree” took its time getting its green on. Almost like a two-year-old or a teen: I’ll do it when I am ready, quit hovering. So, the green has spung and there… Continue reading Shades of  Green →

For those you who have some background in Christianity, you may be aware that we are currently in the liturgical season of Lent. The word, Lent, means a “lengthening.” The days are lengthening naturally, and helped along partially by Daylight Savings Time (DST) which began somewhere around 1908-1914, earlier in Canada and then more publicly… Continue reading Watching My Tree for the Green to Appear →

As a child I recall having a holy card with the Scripture quote, “Let the little children come to Me; for such is the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:14 I was a child myself and I am not sure how I understood the passage, but it sounded good to me. Later when I was a… Continue reading Finding Hope in a World Tinged with Meanness and Hate →

Welcome to 2022. I went back and read my blog entry for January 2021. “I look forward to a new beginning.” I said. Well, that was short lived. A very brief honeymoon before plunging back into the rancor, meanness, and just plain obstinacy and idiocy. Power grab and greed full steam ahead. I have been… Continue reading Warily and Wearily Walking into 2022 →

First let me apologize for skipping a month and a half from blogging. As a “feeler” I have to sit with my feelings for a bit and get a handle on them; a settling down, so to speak. There have been a lot of “feelings.” Mostly feelings of bewilderment, incomprehension, and astonishment. A struggle of… Continue reading Lost and Not Found. Searching for Truth and Wholeness. →

Medals  As the Olympics wind down in Japan, I cannot help but be reminded as I am every four years of how much talent is exuded in the hundreds of Olympians participating from around the world. The Olympics are always a marvelous universal panorama of color, flags, tattoos, and this year, hair styles. The bane… Continue reading Medals, Masks, and Memes →

As we celebrate Father’s Day this weekend, I have asked two Dads to share their reflections on being a Dad. Dad #1 is the father of the Dad #2 reflection. Both reflections are stellar. Their words fill me with hope, add joy to my life, and make me laugh. Please enjoy. May each of us remember our… Continue reading Father’s Day, 2021 →

From dandelion bouquets to gift certificates to Target and Bed Bath and Beyond, Mother’s Day is a semi-national holiday embraced by schools, churches, Hallmark, florists, and restaurants. Ever try getting a reservation for brunch on Mother’s Day? We ditched that idea several years ago. Of course, for Moms every day is Mother’s Day. Every day… Continue reading Mother’s Day, 2021 →