Thank you for expressing your sacred mother’s tears in such an artfully truthful way. Mothers all over the world resonate with your words as we too have struggled with systems that ignore or rebuke us. I am encouraged and inspired by you and your daughter’s Good Friday/ Easter resurrection story.
Thank you, thank you. I love the image of a bare altared Inner Temple. In despair, I often go to my inner garbage truck, where I continually toss and turn the garbage. It never turns to compost, just leaves me inconsolable.
this is one of the most beautiful things i have read recently -- and of course, since we cannot look away, i have read ALOT! thank you Cynthia...just simply, thank you. xo
It is Easter Week now but we all carry our Good Fridays with us with as much peace as we can. Your Good Friday reflection reminds us that someone is suffering now. This past Good Friday was difficult for us as we found out that John has melanoma on his cheek. It is deep so surgery will take place in May and we will find out if it has spread to other parts of his body.
Barbara. "We all carry our Good Fridays with us.." So sorry to hear about John's health. You are both in my prayers for excellent treatment and outcome,
My eyes stung as I read these words from the Temple. Later that day as I sat at Good Friday services, and the strings played with the haughting tones of the oboe. I saw hundreds of mothers dancing, bearing witness to the loss of their children. Inconsolable mothers. Languishing parents. Seekers of answers. Warriors of patience and hope. Whisperers of love that is challenged again and again and again. Cynthia, thank you for your truth.
Cynthia thank you for expressing the inexpressible. The weight of the Pieta. The Temple of the Inconsolable Mother. In your words I find my sister-in-law, Susanne, whose son, Stephen, died by suicide…the effects of alcohol. Thank you for your holy Mother’s lament.
What an incredibly luminous testimony to your surrender to this cross in your life… and to acknowledge for all mothers .. yes… the body and soul.
My crosses (I hope I can share here) in my family have been my extreme childhood abuse and years of illness. My children’s cross was to watch their mother suffering and dying… for years… they were suffering as well. And so, I told them…. Look away… look away… it’s not your role… you have all been stunning… go live your purposes. And when I’m able to get off these crosses, I will come join you.
So proud of Katie, Cynthia, and her work with addiction in male prisons. She’s incredible.. And so, proud of you… thank you for sharing your temple.
Thank you for expressing your sacred mother’s tears in such an artfully truthful way. Mothers all over the world resonate with your words as we too have struggled with systems that ignore or rebuke us. I am encouraged and inspired by you and your daughter’s Good Friday/ Easter resurrection story.
I appreciate your wisdom and words of wisdom, knowing how far you've traveled as a sister and guide.
Thank you, thank you. I love the image of a bare altared Inner Temple. In despair, I often go to my inner garbage truck, where I continually toss and turn the garbage. It never turns to compost, just leaves me inconsolable.
Love unending. Garbage and glory!
This is a powerful testimony, Cynthia, shared on a sobering, meaningful day. Thank you for your words and your sensitivity.
Thank you dear Steve.
Poignant, powerful, poetic……tears came early this Good Friday morning……..thank you!
Sending love and joy as we share in the dance of suffering and love. Grateful for the ways art helps us metabolize, distract, and ease the way.
this is one of the most beautiful things i have read recently -- and of course, since we cannot look away, i have read ALOT! thank you Cynthia...just simply, thank you. xo
hello dear anita and thank you.
This is so beautifully written, powerfully painful, and true. Thank you.
Thank you, Steffany. Many bows.
It is Easter Week now but we all carry our Good Fridays with us with as much peace as we can. Your Good Friday reflection reminds us that someone is suffering now. This past Good Friday was difficult for us as we found out that John has melanoma on his cheek. It is deep so surgery will take place in May and we will find out if it has spread to other parts of his body.
Let us all walk together.
Barbara Hanna
Barbara. "We all carry our Good Fridays with us.." So sorry to hear about John's health. You are both in my prayers for excellent treatment and outcome,
I love this with all of me, Cynthia. I've been thinking of Mother Mary, of my sister-in-law, and through this sacred Substack piece, you too.
Bowing.
My eyes stung as I read these words from the Temple. Later that day as I sat at Good Friday services, and the strings played with the haughting tones of the oboe. I saw hundreds of mothers dancing, bearing witness to the loss of their children. Inconsolable mothers. Languishing parents. Seekers of answers. Warriors of patience and hope. Whisperers of love that is challenged again and again and again. Cynthia, thank you for your truth.
Dearest Mary Ellen- We dance in the dark, so often, the hearts warriors of patience and hope.
Cynthia thank you for expressing the inexpressible. The weight of the Pieta. The Temple of the Inconsolable Mother. In your words I find my sister-in-law, Susanne, whose son, Stephen, died by suicide…the effects of alcohol. Thank you for your holy Mother’s lament.
Oh Donna. No words. Love Can Only Lament.
What an incredibly luminous testimony to your surrender to this cross in your life… and to acknowledge for all mothers .. yes… the body and soul.
My crosses (I hope I can share here) in my family have been my extreme childhood abuse and years of illness. My children’s cross was to watch their mother suffering and dying… for years… they were suffering as well. And so, I told them…. Look away… look away… it’s not your role… you have all been stunning… go live your purposes. And when I’m able to get off these crosses, I will come join you.
So proud of Katie, Cynthia, and her work with addiction in male prisons. She’s incredible.. And so, proud of you… thank you for sharing your temple.
Thank you Emily.