Prairie Girl Colorless 50’s photo a child hermetically sealed Fading small against Junoesque pine Cradling basket-less Moses doll Softly smiling sideways glancing Plaid, pleated prairie dress disguising tom-girl legs Honeyed tidy braided hair feigning sweet, demure Clydesdale heavy, clunky shoes claustrophobic feet Drenching in sweet prairie grass Chomping at the bit Shoes shed, running free … Continue reading Part 1 Prairie Beginnings
Who Am I?
“Ms. Skarin, you know you are odd, no I guess a better word for that would be unique.” The slender figure of the counselor in the chair across from mine shifted as she folded her arms gently.. She had dark brown hair and kind eyes. I stared at her blankly as I often did when … Continue reading Who Am I?
That Was a Simple Procedure-No Problem
"Ms. Skarin, are you with us?" I tried to connect the voice with the face looming over me. Hi Ms. Skarin, you were out for a long time. Out? Where did I go? My body is heavy against a narrow bed between two metal railings. The machines are making a slow methodical beep and there … Continue reading That Was a Simple Procedure-No Problem
Catastrophic Suffering
I grew up in a fundamentalist religious group in Canada until I turned ten and our family moved to Los Angeles. Our world in Canada was all white with a “Truman Show” atmosphere. I experienced a traumatic culture shock after we moved. I didn’t stand out as being different in our sheltered prairie town but … Continue reading Catastrophic Suffering
Miriam is Human
Miriam lived with her two sisters after their mother died. Her sisters loved her and refused to put her in a brick building with echoey halls filled with people who had differing degrees of “otherness,” and where nurses passed out pills in paper cups to keep the "otherness" subdued. She was their flesh and blood … Continue reading Miriam is Human
Expectations
Marriage I saw the erosion, the ever-widening cracks, the fights that I tried to block out with a feather pillow. I was placed in a few foster homes before being sent back to my chaotic family who had then relocated to Yorba Linda, an emerging city with tract homes without landscapes, lots of barren hills … Continue reading Expectations
Teenage years (14-19)
Part I City of Orange California ~ December 1964 I lie in the hall with my legs hanging over the top step outside my bedroom door hugging my chest to suppress my sobs, but there is only a vacuum to absorb them. Mother, Why did you scream at me to never look for you again … Continue reading Teenage years (14-19)
Who’s Going To Take Care Of Joey?
I drove to Costco for gas up the hill from my house. As I placed the pump in the tank, the ground began to sway as if there was an earthquake, but I was the only one looking around. As I put the pump back on the holster, I knew I needed to get home … Continue reading Who’s Going To Take Care Of Joey?
Gratitude takes Attitude
Gratitude takes Attitude He has told you mortals, what is good in His sight. What else does the Eternal ask of you. But to live justly and to love kindness and to walk with your True God in all humility. Micah 6:8 Voice Emergency sirens rake my brain raw daily. Helicopters put on a night … Continue reading Gratitude takes Attitude
Uncle Phil the Gentle Texan
Uncle Phil the Gentle Texan “Howdy ma’am, pleased to meet you.” I looked straight into his eyes as warm brown as the pecans from his family orchard, above a row of perfect teeth. I could have balanced a yardstick on top of both of our heads Shaved close with a hint of permanent stubble. The … Continue reading Uncle Phil the Gentle Texan
The Great Song
The Great Song I sucked in the silver of the stars and tasted the white of the moon as they slid down liquid into my soul. I felt the greatness---the greatness of God. I shifted on the ground---connecting to the smallness of me. A shedding skin human---dependent on the Spirit surrounding me. I glanced at … Continue reading The Great Song
Unforced rythms of grace ~ by Annie Pauli 