Hi Diana - I appreciate your writing so much, but I wanted to give a special thank-you for finding all the beautiful and inspiring poetry! I love poetry but finding the gems amid poetry books can be a challenge - so thanks for doing it for us!
I read this back when you first published this. I could feel the combination of pain and relief in what you wrote. It Is one of the many things you have written that make me glad to be a paid subscriber. I am both glad that you have decided to re-publish it, and sad that you need to. Keep sharing your insights and life experiences, they are among the few things I read that give me hope that God's face has not turned away from us as a nation, because when that happens the outcome is not good.
Can't wait for the Summer Spiritual Journey with you and all my friends here at The Cottage! I have no welcoming congregation other than here! And, I love your love of Summer! This morning, I decided to look up "summer poems" and the first one that popped up was The Summer Day by Mary Oliver! "I do not know exactly what a prayer is" and today, I found it in you; here! An answer to a prayer for my spiritual journey! Plus, I get to hear Nadia Bolz Weber preach tomorrow! Thank God for such great spiritual women on my life journey!
I am so excited to begin the VBS for adults during July! I can hardly wait! My book is in storage somewhere so I’m going to get it on Kindle to follow along. Thank you so much, Diana, for your faithful work in these turbulent times. Your work keeps me grounded and I’m very grateful! 💖
Holding your love of your father, your mother, your family and your story so close to your heart. Listening to your deep love of all involved, including your father's first love, as it rose within you. Listening to Jesus' voice as you lived and still live in these spaces. Respecting your mother's wish to wait, truly hearing her "best friend" words of love about your father. Such tenderness shared now with us. Thank you.
My older brother left us after his second year in college to move to San Francisco from our Ohio home. When I was told he was moving to be in a community which better embraced his gay life, which I didn't know about as a 15-year old younger brother, I felt two emotions. First I was heart broken because he was a such an incredible model of how to love people, love life and rush after whatever is your passion. He was my hero. I asked them if I could move to SF with him because I wanted to be with him, to learn more from him. They tenderly denied my wish.
Second, I was livid at our small town, late 1960's attitudes about gay men. I was told by our parents that he also moved to protect us from being known as "brothers of a queer". He wanted to protect us from people who might hurl verbal and physical abuse at us.
If only I could see his joy (he died in 1978) about how far many have come to now embrace LGBTQ+ people, people who were created by God as are all people.
Diana, this is such a beautiful story of love on so many levels. A deep love between your father and his unnamed love…your mother and your father…you and your father. We have come so far in embracing love in many forms and taking down barriers that allow people to acknowledge who they love. We still have room to grow in that regard. I love the Ben’s Bell hanging as a reminder of love. (and a special touch and reminder of Tucson.)
What a beautiful story about your father. He must have been a remarkable man to have gone through so much, yet turned outward helping others. That's such a beautiful and godly thing to do, serving others in his own way bringing beauty to their lives. I have to say that this poked my heart remembering my own father, while not gay was from that same generation, that generation of men (and women) so much different than even our own generation. Thank you for sharing this piece. I miss my Dad so much.
Thank you for sharing a beautifully written story. I could feel your pain discovering the story and holding on then talking with your mom. I also feel your love for every person and yourself. I am grateful for the kindness you showed everyone. I think it took a special person to tell this special story.
Thanks for sharing your family's story. Families come in many shapes and styles and your Dad lived at a time he couldn't freely be open about who he was....Your love and compassion shine through. May your memories and his be a blessings to many! You spoke to my class in seminary at Seabury Western sometime between 2006 - 2008. I appreciate your curiosity, faithfulness, and invitation to others to share their stories
My first husband is gay. It was my children who went through what you and your siblings experienced. Even after divorcing, we remained friends and enjoy each other's company. My second husband and he get along well and have much the same sense of humor.
Thanks for reminder through telling your story, that each of our family histories has hidden treasures which have so much to teach us, when we look closely, courageously with compassion without shame or fear, to reveal the truths therein!
Thank you for this lovingly written story. My late dad was born in 1917, I cannot imagine the brutality he endeared as a bisexual. My parents too had a complicated marriage. Mom as a war widow & trauma survivor. Dad with war PTSD and this, too. Having attended SBC as a child, the cruelty towards the gay community is beyond my comprehension. It hurts my heart.
I read your "Freeing Jesus" book when It first came out, as I had read "Grateful" as part of a study group, then "Grounded" and purchased "Freeing Jesus" before it was available. I found solace in all three. I read with joy, laughter, and tears. These books bolstered what I was trying to understand about my own faith. I am incredibly grateful for your writings, Diana.
Hi Diana - I appreciate your writing so much, but I wanted to give a special thank-you for finding all the beautiful and inspiring poetry! I love poetry but finding the gems amid poetry books can be a challenge - so thanks for doing it for us!
I read this back when you first published this. I could feel the combination of pain and relief in what you wrote. It Is one of the many things you have written that make me glad to be a paid subscriber. I am both glad that you have decided to re-publish it, and sad that you need to. Keep sharing your insights and life experiences, they are among the few things I read that give me hope that God's face has not turned away from us as a nation, because when that happens the outcome is not good.
Can't wait for the Summer Spiritual Journey with you and all my friends here at The Cottage! I have no welcoming congregation other than here! And, I love your love of Summer! This morning, I decided to look up "summer poems" and the first one that popped up was The Summer Day by Mary Oliver! "I do not know exactly what a prayer is" and today, I found it in you; here! An answer to a prayer for my spiritual journey! Plus, I get to hear Nadia Bolz Weber preach tomorrow! Thank God for such great spiritual women on my life journey!
I am so excited to begin the VBS for adults during July! I can hardly wait! My book is in storage somewhere so I’m going to get it on Kindle to follow along. Thank you so much, Diana, for your faithful work in these turbulent times. Your work keeps me grounded and I’m very grateful! 💖
Holding your love of your father, your mother, your family and your story so close to your heart. Listening to your deep love of all involved, including your father's first love, as it rose within you. Listening to Jesus' voice as you lived and still live in these spaces. Respecting your mother's wish to wait, truly hearing her "best friend" words of love about your father. Such tenderness shared now with us. Thank you.
My older brother left us after his second year in college to move to San Francisco from our Ohio home. When I was told he was moving to be in a community which better embraced his gay life, which I didn't know about as a 15-year old younger brother, I felt two emotions. First I was heart broken because he was a such an incredible model of how to love people, love life and rush after whatever is your passion. He was my hero. I asked them if I could move to SF with him because I wanted to be with him, to learn more from him. They tenderly denied my wish.
Second, I was livid at our small town, late 1960's attitudes about gay men. I was told by our parents that he also moved to protect us from being known as "brothers of a queer". He wanted to protect us from people who might hurl verbal and physical abuse at us.
If only I could see his joy (he died in 1978) about how far many have come to now embrace LGBTQ+ people, people who were created by God as are all people.
Diana, this is such a beautiful story of love on so many levels. A deep love between your father and his unnamed love…your mother and your father…you and your father. We have come so far in embracing love in many forms and taking down barriers that allow people to acknowledge who they love. We still have room to grow in that regard. I love the Ben’s Bell hanging as a reminder of love. (and a special touch and reminder of Tucson.)
What a beautiful story about your father. He must have been a remarkable man to have gone through so much, yet turned outward helping others. That's such a beautiful and godly thing to do, serving others in his own way bringing beauty to their lives. I have to say that this poked my heart remembering my own father, while not gay was from that same generation, that generation of men (and women) so much different than even our own generation. Thank you for sharing this piece. I miss my Dad so much.
Thank you for sharing a beautifully written story. I could feel your pain discovering the story and holding on then talking with your mom. I also feel your love for every person and yourself. I am grateful for the kindness you showed everyone. I think it took a special person to tell this special story.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing your family's story. Families come in many shapes and styles and your Dad lived at a time he couldn't freely be open about who he was....Your love and compassion shine through. May your memories and his be a blessings to many! You spoke to my class in seminary at Seabury Western sometime between 2006 - 2008. I appreciate your curiosity, faithfulness, and invitation to others to share their stories
My first husband is gay. It was my children who went through what you and your siblings experienced. Even after divorcing, we remained friends and enjoy each other's company. My second husband and he get along well and have much the same sense of humor.
Thanks for reminder through telling your story, that each of our family histories has hidden treasures which have so much to teach us, when we look closely, courageously with compassion without shame or fear, to reveal the truths therein!
Thank you for this lovingly written story. My late dad was born in 1917, I cannot imagine the brutality he endeared as a bisexual. My parents too had a complicated marriage. Mom as a war widow & trauma survivor. Dad with war PTSD and this, too. Having attended SBC as a child, the cruelty towards the gay community is beyond my comprehension. It hurts my heart.
Thank you for sharing this story about your Dad. I was very moved by it.
I read your "Freeing Jesus" book when It first came out, as I had read "Grateful" as part of a study group, then "Grounded" and purchased "Freeing Jesus" before it was available. I found solace in all three. I read with joy, laughter, and tears. These books bolstered what I was trying to understand about my own faith. I am incredibly grateful for your writings, Diana.
A beautiful and honouring piece about your dad. 🌈