From D.W.: I usually write a little introductory passage here. This time, though, I’m inclined to let this beautiful story speak for itself… Long Valley Lane. August 21st. 2011 ...like magic... I have never liked my hands. I have been trying to make peace with them since I
Trigger warning: Discussion of sexual abuse From D.W.: It’s a good thing that he dropped out of the race. Certainly, that’s true. Of course, it should have happened after we first found out about the tattoo. But hey, he shares a lot of my beliefs now, so
From D.W.: Things aren’t great, ok? Can we agree? They haven’t been great for a while. The world at most times feels like we’re trapped in a tire fire that won’t stop playing Morrissey songs. The profound cruelty masquerading as public policy is matched only
From D.W.: Our country celebrates its 250th anniversary this Saturday. Is it me, or is there a suspicious lack of enthusiasm for such a significant occasion? Our 200th anniversary happened the year before I was born, but I remember seeing the after-effects of it, bicentennial t-shirts, posters,
From D.W.: Apologies for the tardiness and brevity of this post. I’ve been pretty sick the last few days and, frankly, just haven’t had the juice to put in the work. But I hope you’ll enjoy this quick post-father’s day hit. Grow Christians. June
From D.W.: I suppose it’s safe to say that it’s officially summer now even though, as a native Houstonian, it’s always felt strange calling anything summer until it hits at least 96 degrees. Summer was always a special time for Rachel and me. We met and
From D.W.: Bodies, man. Am I right? These weird tote bags we’re all sloshing around in and trying not to talk about, or think about, or get too attached to. I’ve never had much affection for mine. It’s been at best a burden and at worst
From D.W.: In the last couple months of Rachel’s life she had been very seriously exploring a career change. I’m not sure how many people know that, but it wasn’t a secret, so I don’t think she’d be upset with me telling you. The
From D.W.: Sometimes, when there’s a lot going on in my life or in the world, I like to post a little quick hit here, rather than a more topical post. It’s a nice little break from the world, and a reminder from Rachel that not every
The writing of Rachel Graves Jones
From D.W.: Rachel and I would often joke about which one of us would die first. We both insisted it had to be us, not the other one, because the pain of loss would be too great. “If you die before me, so help me god!” “If I catch
From D.W.: Our democracy is fragile. Many people have known that much longer than I. It’s held together too often by polite agreements about norms, and traditions, and a shared understanding of equal representation. Sometimes, when those polite accords are tested, or when we discover that our understanding
From D.W.: Yesterday was my niece AK’s birthday. They turned 18. Rachel and AK had a special relationship that started the first time they met. When Rachel and I were dating we made short trip to Belton, TX to visit my sister and her family. This would be
From D.W.: Back in late August of last year I posted some of Rachel’s writing about gun violence in this country and noted that I was only posting a small collection of her writing on the topic because there would inevitably be need for more. And here we
From D.W.: I’m probably not the only one here that gets so focused on outrage that they forget about peace. Some outrage is ok. Necessary, even, in the face of the outrageous. And our priorities should be measured in degree by the things that make us outraged. But,
From D.W.: To all those readers who followed along through the Lenten series over the past two months, thank you so much. I hope that it brought you some joy, or reflection, or comfort. I’m glad that I could offer them, but I’ll level with you: now
Thursday in Easter Week Easter Hangover... ...been kind of quiet, last couple of weeks. holy week was FAST and INTENSE. i was real glad when Jesus came back on Sunday. lent seemed a lot longer than it usually does. i mean, it wasn't...but those forty days sure
Easter Sunday Sally and the Question of Fairness “What’s the deal with God being so unfair?” --Clueless in Colorado People have wrestled with the unfairness of God for as long as we’ve been in relationship to something larger than ourselves. I’ve spent a large part of Lent
The Wednesday in Holy Week Isaiah 50:4-9a; Hebrews 9:11-15,24-28; John 13:21-35 or Matthew 26:1-5,14-25; Psalm 69:7-15, 22-23 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.” The Gospel of John is my favorite
Palm Sunday Sally and a Lenten Walk The work of the eyes is done. Go now and do the heart-work on the images imprisoned within you. --Rilke Palm Sunday is my least favorite Sunday of all. The bipolarity of it makes me anxious in ways I can’t even
The Saturday in the Fifth Week of Lent Exodus 3:7-12; Luke 6:27-36; Psalm 77:11-20 or Psalm 98:1-4 I know that love is ultimately the only answer to mankind's problems. And I'm going to talk about it everywhere I
The Tuesday in the Fourth Week of Lent He came to save us...to save the world. He still does it every single day. One time, he even went all the way to hell, and back again. He did it for you. He did it for me. He did it,
