My brother and I were cross-country skiing in a State Park in MD when everyone lost the trail back to the parking lot. This was not an intentional thrill experience. Each group had a different idea about how to get back to civilization, so there was no cohesive unit with a leader. My brother, Scott, and I just forged ahead. It was bitingly cold and getting dark. My thought was freezing to death on this seemingly safe and enjoyable outing. When I had resigned myself to the ease in Frost’s poem, just letting it go, we suddenly saw cars. We had been skiing around the parking lot and it was within yards of us. I remember being so relieved that we were “saved” by luck.

Barbara, Do you think that, perhaps at the heart of things, we are always seeking “mother” in these friendships…someone who reminds us of…or not…just throwing that out. I have many women friends, some are Lesbians. When you said “relatives,” it made me think of mothers. Please comment.

Esther/Abraham offer a New Age philosophy that is not so new after all—it has to do with being positive, of course, “allowing.” Here is this morning’s offering: “You are all perfect and expanding; you are all adored and worthy; you are all here having your exposure to experiences and doing the best that you can from where you are. You have not been sent here in a test or trial; you’re here as creators as part of an expanding Universe. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t have, at the root of that which you are, Well-Being, and then have that same root of Well-Being have the capacity to pronounce you evil. It is vibrationally impossible. That judging, vengeful God is manufactured from humans’ place of deepest despair.” Anyone care to comment? Excerpted from a workshop in Fort Collins, CO on Saturday, June 19th, 2004 All Is Well

Alice, I think that if you believe it in your heart, yes, it will. Take care,

zeldie, I guess we could have an amicable coffee together. I agree. But there is plenty of room for joy and love. It does not have to reference the, you know, G O D thing.

Niari, Well, I am a 70 year old Nia dancer, and I agree. These fears are implanted to keep us in line on earth. Plus they were created by a series of men…not many women, huh? You are absolutely right. I quote one of the best line, not about the disciplinary side of things, but about the underlying primal source. Seneca said, “fear begets gods.” The dinosaurs were undoubtedly afraid of lightning and thought “hmmm, that’s god trying to get us to stop eating each other!” Cheers to you!

Jozie, I love it. You made me laugh. Yes, I am going to sign off too. You know, we didn’t need nationally known women to kick this discussion off. I have it with people locally and with myself. Verdict. Live now. Weed, walk, write, draw…think.

Alice, You bet we’re afraid. That is what the creation of organized religion counts on. We do need to be caring and compassionate. But we don’t need a hierarhy of males to tell us that. Do we? I hope not. Our good acts live on…

Marilyn, You hit the nail on the head. This is IT. Your phrase “urgent wonder” made me sit up and say, Wow, this woman can write—think and write. Are you a teacher?

Shirley! You are absolutely right. Heaven is…memory. We do live on in other people’s lives. Thanks for saying this! You rock! I am 70 so look to you for the ultimate word on this.

Jean! I am so honored to have you say that. Maybe we CAN. I live in Ellicott City, MD (a neat little historic district) and there is a coffee shop where we could meet!

Celia! Really? Why don’t people (women, especially) have this conversation elsewhere? We could, you know.

Thanks, Giselle. Yes, here and now is IT. Your path sounds very Buddhist to be, although I think it is the labels (what are you? what am I? who cares, really) that get us into trouble. We stop communicating outward. You know? Kay

Thanks, Giselle, I agree. I have two blogs, a British short-haired cat and many opinions. I wish this discussion on religion were live and in a living room rather than separated by space, even space on the page. I am glad you read what I said. We need to be less isolated. Kay

Are we, at the heart of it, all selling something? Ourselves, our ideas. Our own unique voices, before we die. I think so. But no e-mail address or web site…