Wow, great collection this week, Haley. That middle section! I'm honored that you included my piece.
I know you've touched on this before, but, again, I really appreciate you drawing out the connections between how we view conception/birth and dying.
"We, who would so quickly assist him out of this life, would do so because we can bear with neither grace nor compassion. They ask too much of us for another." from Sweeney's essay. Having worked in palliative care and also being a mother blessed with steady succession of children, I could not tell you which one required more grace and compassion, or asked too much of me. Welcoming children even when they are 'inconvenient,' accepting the risk of heartbreak (as Abigail Jorgensen and Robert McFadden write), giving ourselves to the humble care of others for years into decades ("Care is too slow, tending too cumbersome.")....all are stretching our hearts to better love others, and preparing us for the good death. This is a massive encouragement to this stay-at-home mother. Self-service in childbearing years does not aid a good death; dying to self today does.
(Also, I'm praying for the days when women aren't told how to prevent their own PPD etc., but *anyone and everyone else* is told how to properly care and tend and nurture women in that tender time. Thanks for your work to help us here.)
I can’t wait to dig into some of these articles. It has been so incredible finding resources like what you share, and write yourself, that articulate so well the issues with how the female body/fertility is handled. It’s nice to not feel so alone in thinking that it’s all off! And the Stations of the Cross book looks amazing. My son loves the Stations right now and this could be such a great resource (better than using our phones!)
Wow, great collection this week, Haley. That middle section! I'm honored that you included my piece.
I know you've touched on this before, but, again, I really appreciate you drawing out the connections between how we view conception/birth and dying.
"We, who would so quickly assist him out of this life, would do so because we can bear with neither grace nor compassion. They ask too much of us for another." from Sweeney's essay. Having worked in palliative care and also being a mother blessed with steady succession of children, I could not tell you which one required more grace and compassion, or asked too much of me. Welcoming children even when they are 'inconvenient,' accepting the risk of heartbreak (as Abigail Jorgensen and Robert McFadden write), giving ourselves to the humble care of others for years into decades ("Care is too slow, tending too cumbersome.")....all are stretching our hearts to better love others, and preparing us for the good death. This is a massive encouragement to this stay-at-home mother. Self-service in childbearing years does not aid a good death; dying to self today does.
(Also, I'm praying for the days when women aren't told how to prevent their own PPD etc., but *anyone and everyone else* is told how to properly care and tend and nurture women in that tender time. Thanks for your work to help us here.)
You pulled no punches this week, Haley, and I loved every word of it!
Apparently it's become my "what's something you can talk about unprompted for X amount of time?" things
(Thank you)
I want more unfiltered Haley thoughts every week tbh
noted
I can’t wait to dig into some of these articles. It has been so incredible finding resources like what you share, and write yourself, that articulate so well the issues with how the female body/fertility is handled. It’s nice to not feel so alone in thinking that it’s all off! And the Stations of the Cross book looks amazing. My son loves the Stations right now and this could be such a great resource (better than using our phones!)
What an amazing list! Thank you for including my piece with Br. Bobby on it.
You're welcome! And I'm amazed you found this. haha
What a beautiful poem in that photo!
Also this line made me laugh in that “how are they for real” kind of manic way: “No biggie, we only make up half the population.” Right?!
*all of us maniacally laughing*