Belonging


In response to the times

In response to the times

It’s time to talk about the conclusions I’ve been drawing from my life experience and “the state of the world”, as filtered through the lens of this advice: "Prepare for what you’ve already been through, plus a bit more."

From field and forests, across oceans (week four)

From field and forests, across oceans (week four)

I feel at home in the trees in a way that defies my prairie upbringing. Maybe because before they were farmers, my ancestors carved small homesteads out of primeval European forest in ages past. And even more recently lived in the woods.

A milk crate, a homestead, and musical theater

A milk crate, a homestead, and musical theater

An adventure-loving person, Teri lives for experiences. But as a gardener, community theatre member, and parent she values the rootedness and connection of "place". This desire to be both grounded - to build a home and commit to a particular place - and have adventures and unique experiences is a central tension for Teri.

For the pain that can't be borne

For the pain that can't be borne

I can't guarantee their safety, success, or well-being. I can't guarantee my own. This is the deep aching vulnerability of being human.

The purpose and ultimate irony of desire (The mountains are calling)

The purpose and ultimate irony of desire (The mountains are calling)

One of the hardest parts of growing up has been realizing we don't achieve our desires. At least not the way we think we will. The joy comes not in attaining what we desire, but in giving ourselves to the cause, the aim, the goal. Circling the desire, but never reaching it.

Living in no-man's-land

Living in no-man's-land

In my attempt to understand my life path, to explain the inevitable sense of loss and regret with midlife, I sometimes think "maybe I made a mistake, went the wrong way." But I didn't take a wrong turn that landed me in a place, physically and spiritually, where I feel the pain and loss of a broken world. I grew up. I woke up. I left the nest. I landed in no-man's-land with eyes to see the truth.

Beyond margins

Beyond margins

My capacity for becoming more aware of the margin is increasing. Maybe it's because my children are almost grown up, and that first calling of mine, to nurture and protect them, is coming to an end. All that energy and heart needs to go somewhere.