I had an old man in tears in my office today (I am a speech pathologist). Was he crying because of his diagnosis? Because of some issues with speech/language/swallowing/voice/cognition? No. Not at all. He was crying because he is afraid of what is happening in the USA and the world. I held him and listened and let his tears soak my shoulder because it was all I could offer to him. Then I went out to the waiting room and a person was chewing out one of the receptionists because of parking problems. I wanted to put the guy through a plate glass window. We're all struggling. Thanks for reminding us of this, and for the forgiveness we receive.
Katya, this touched me so deeply - less than 5 minutes ago, I expressed the longing to simply be held while I let out the grief of everything.. And here you are talking about how you provided that for your client. It released something in me. Thank you.
Thank you, Nadia. God has given you the tremendous gift of being able to put into words what so many of us are feeling right now. What a wonderful Superpower. Bless you.
Thank you, Nadia. I lost it two days ago with some neighbors who were defending the actions of our current administration. And I haven't been able to let go of that rant..."should I apologize? should I let it go?" I don't regret anything I said--just that it was in the form of a attack and not a measured response. So to read that you, too, are in that same space gave me peace today.
First thing to spring to my mind was, “I bet *their* comments weren’t so measured.” That’s just my highly inappropriate way of saying, I hear you, sister.
Best shitty little prayer ever!!! Remember Ann Lamott’s book “Help Thanks Wow”? Scott Erikson’s 2025 version is “Help, Fuck, Thanks, Wow” That and your shitty little prayer about sum it up. (BTW you can order mugs from Scott that say those words. They are big and gorgeous and you can wrap your paws around a hot mug of whatever.). Enjoy 😉
Thank you Nadia. It is so easy to think that I have to deal with everything alone. Especially since my husband passed away and I can no longer look to him for support or a shoulder to cry on. But your words help Nadia. Because I know that there are others who feel like me and it's not just me not being strong enough or trusting God enough or whatever. It's just me being human, but not alone and still very loved.
I feel your pain! The world seems to be spinning out of control. All we can do is keep showing up for each other and loving as best we can. Thank you for being in this with us.
Yes! All of this. I shamefully lost it on the phone with a pharmacy tech the other day when I was trying to transfer my dad’s prescription to another pharmacy. I was at work and had already made 3 phone calls so I was feeling frustrated. I’m the primary caregiver for my dad so there’s that plus all the weight of the world’s issues right now. I hung up and burst into tears feeling so ashamed and guilty of my behavior. I’m tearing up again just thinking about it. I pray that God will give me strength to keeping going one day at a time.
Our church has a mindfulness/meditation time on Monday nights. Last night we did a lectio divina session around the story of the arrest of Jesus in the Garden. The scripture ended where Jesus asks the people who have come to arrest him, "Do you think I'm fomenting a rebellion that you've come to arrest me with clubs and swords?" and then says, "Every day I was out in public and you could've arrested me then. But this is your time, when darkness reigns."
When darkness reigns.
But, then, there's maybe the all-time great Jesus-following song: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Even my shitty little light and our shitty little prayers.
I just read the headlines and felt overwhelmed with helplessness. My prayer was, "Oh, God, I don't even know what to do." As I felt myself freeze and unravel at the same time, I saw this in my email box. Thank you. I have hope knowing I am not alone.
O my God, how I needed that. I have been yelling at people and things all day, and I know I really want to scream at dictator don and his slimeball bastards. I feel so helpless to stop the criminal and inhumane crap being done in the name of our country. It's driving me mad; so thanks for challenging me to take care of myself and what I can first, and then maybe I'll be able to think more clearly about what else I can do. peace and love
Nadia, you pray like a Hebrew prophet, or the psalmist. I love you for that.
BTW, I am a retired Episcopal priest (in full communion with Lutherans), and I struggle to pray with your authenticity. I am like that old man in Kataya Bowen's office. Bless you!
We are all so very much in this boat.
I had an old man in tears in my office today (I am a speech pathologist). Was he crying because of his diagnosis? Because of some issues with speech/language/swallowing/voice/cognition? No. Not at all. He was crying because he is afraid of what is happening in the USA and the world. I held him and listened and let his tears soak my shoulder because it was all I could offer to him. Then I went out to the waiting room and a person was chewing out one of the receptionists because of parking problems. I wanted to put the guy through a plate glass window. We're all struggling. Thanks for reminding us of this, and for the forgiveness we receive.
Katya, this touched me so deeply - less than 5 minutes ago, I expressed the longing to simply be held while I let out the grief of everything.. And here you are talking about how you provided that for your client. It released something in me. Thank you.
Thank you, Nadia. God has given you the tremendous gift of being able to put into words what so many of us are feeling right now. What a wonderful Superpower. Bless you.
About the only prayer I can muster these days is , “Help.” All day long.
❤️🙏🏻
Do you ever NOT just say the perfectly imperfect perfect words ??????? This is another masterpiece.
Thank you, Nadia. I lost it two days ago with some neighbors who were defending the actions of our current administration. And I haven't been able to let go of that rant..."should I apologize? should I let it go?" I don't regret anything I said--just that it was in the form of a attack and not a measured response. So to read that you, too, are in that same space gave me peace today.
First thing to spring to my mind was, “I bet *their* comments weren’t so measured.” That’s just my highly inappropriate way of saying, I hear you, sister.
This was desperately needed, Nadia. Thank you.
Not a shitty prayer. Sounded like it was coming from your heart
Best shitty little prayer ever!!! Remember Ann Lamott’s book “Help Thanks Wow”? Scott Erikson’s 2025 version is “Help, Fuck, Thanks, Wow” That and your shitty little prayer about sum it up. (BTW you can order mugs from Scott that say those words. They are big and gorgeous and you can wrap your paws around a hot mug of whatever.). Enjoy 😉
To quote one of my favorite writers, 'in it with you!'
Thank you Nadia. It is so easy to think that I have to deal with everything alone. Especially since my husband passed away and I can no longer look to him for support or a shoulder to cry on. But your words help Nadia. Because I know that there are others who feel like me and it's not just me not being strong enough or trusting God enough or whatever. It's just me being human, but not alone and still very loved.
I feel your pain! The world seems to be spinning out of control. All we can do is keep showing up for each other and loving as best we can. Thank you for being in this with us.
Yes! All of this. I shamefully lost it on the phone with a pharmacy tech the other day when I was trying to transfer my dad’s prescription to another pharmacy. I was at work and had already made 3 phone calls so I was feeling frustrated. I’m the primary caregiver for my dad so there’s that plus all the weight of the world’s issues right now. I hung up and burst into tears feeling so ashamed and guilty of my behavior. I’m tearing up again just thinking about it. I pray that God will give me strength to keeping going one day at a time.
Our church has a mindfulness/meditation time on Monday nights. Last night we did a lectio divina session around the story of the arrest of Jesus in the Garden. The scripture ended where Jesus asks the people who have come to arrest him, "Do you think I'm fomenting a rebellion that you've come to arrest me with clubs and swords?" and then says, "Every day I was out in public and you could've arrested me then. But this is your time, when darkness reigns."
When darkness reigns.
But, then, there's maybe the all-time great Jesus-following song: "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine." Even my shitty little light and our shitty little prayers.
I just read the headlines and felt overwhelmed with helplessness. My prayer was, "Oh, God, I don't even know what to do." As I felt myself freeze and unravel at the same time, I saw this in my email box. Thank you. I have hope knowing I am not alone.
O my God, how I needed that. I have been yelling at people and things all day, and I know I really want to scream at dictator don and his slimeball bastards. I feel so helpless to stop the criminal and inhumane crap being done in the name of our country. It's driving me mad; so thanks for challenging me to take care of myself and what I can first, and then maybe I'll be able to think more clearly about what else I can do. peace and love
Nadia, you pray like a Hebrew prophet, or the psalmist. I love you for that.
BTW, I am a retired Episcopal priest (in full communion with Lutherans), and I struggle to pray with your authenticity. I am like that old man in Kataya Bowen's office. Bless you!