I capture moments throughout my life where I have gazed at the stars and pondered upon the Creator. — Inverted bowl of blackish blue Over rural acute-angled roofs, Girls giggle, bouncing on canvas circle. Then circumference springs support reclined friends Musing of sacred mysteries. Soon we slumber under Perseus’s protection. - — - Under beams of immortal moon, Westward of any plotted town, Youth leaders guide my eyes

Setting a boundary of “no” can improve mental health. — Many of us operate on the cordiality principle where we want to please others around us. This desire helps bind us as a community, but can also backfire. We can overcommit ourselves when we won’t say no to another person. …

Terms like “lesbian” and “gay” appeared on my radar in the 90s, but not “bisexual” — I didn’t “come out” as bisexual until Summer 2021 partially because I didn’t have a term for my sexuality until a few years ago. Even when I did mention my sexual orientation almost two years ago, I only mentioned it briefly in a blog post. Later, I mentioned it in…

I am reluctant to start another Monday. How about you? — I don’t want to go back to work on Monday. I suppose that’s a normal feeling, but I need to be okay with it. Perhaps even be excited. I’ve had the last week off with my kids and I was sick for a week before that. So I am “out…

I am told to play mother, scholar, wife, CEO, or another. — Ever since my mortal birth, I wonder why I’m on earth. What purpose must I fulfill? Follow a whim or my will? I am told to play mother, Scholar, wife, CEO, or another. I can’t fulfill all these roles Without access to all controls. I cannot rule a boss or a man; I can only do what I can. My Lord said to be perfect as he — To love my neighbor as I love me.

We miss an opportunity of self-knowledge and knowledge of others when we forget to view each other as multidimensional. — Many times we look at ourselves in the mirror and only notice our physical appearance. We pick on one feature we dislike or preen at another feature we like. For me, I focus too much on my obesity. Yet, we often neglect to see ourselves as multidimensional — like a…

A letter to Kris, a transmasculine person, trying to find their way in an uncertain religious and cultural space. — When I heard the news from Momma Pool/Aunt Marvel that you’d been in an accident, I prayed for you to return home safely to your son. I prayed that you would find a more secure footing climbing the tenous path of religious and gender identities. Instead, you returned to your…

My new mattress and my new job helped me sleep better. Maybe it will work for you too. — Since my husband started working from home because of the pandemic, I have subconsciously taken advantage of that fact. I know he can tackle the morning routine without me, even if it’s half-shod. Midnight used to be staying up late for me on weekdays, but it became 1 am or…

One day I knocked on your door, waited, and you shuffled to the door several minutes later. — Dear Brother Frank Wright, One overcast Friday in ’95 or ’96 I knocked on your creaky door and you answered, hands on your walker. I told you who I was and who my parents were. I had seen you at church on occasion, but you couldn’t always attend because you…