All the Wonders

Jul 131 min read

Resilient

I sit down to write And no words come. I am tired, Discouraged, Overwhelmed by the never-ending Reports of disasters and tragedies....

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betharichardson

Feb 221 min read

A Message from the Trees

I walk outside And look up at the tree in the front yard. Its branches are bare. Leaves, long shed, Were raked and carried To the...

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betharichardson

Jul 10, 20231 min read

Breaking Through

The weather app said, “Dense fog advisory.” But up here on the ridge, the fog had begun to melt away. I looked out the kitchen window and...

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betharichardson

Jun 25, 20232 min read

The Stump and Me

I first met you on my daily walks at Kanuga while I was in my spiritual direction training with Haden Institute. You were over on the far...

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betharichardson

May 29, 20231 min read

The Unfurling

I’m at the Haden Institute’s summer dream conference. Walking the lake trail, I found this fern in the process of unfurling. It inspired...

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betharichardson

Nov 17, 20221 min read

Metamorphosis

Help me be patient with myself During this metamorphosis. This shedding of what has been: Working Monday through Friday, Week after week,...

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betharichardson

Aug 6, 20201 min read

Love Is Our Hope

There is this part of me That, if it were not For the singing of the Wood Thrush, Would feel so hopeless. There is this part of me That,...

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betharichardson

May 5, 20201 min read

Just Like Life

I walked a labyrinth On a hill By a lake Step by step I walked the path The journey uphill And down Every step Closer to the center Every...

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betharichardson

Apr 1, 20201 min read

Days Run Together

Days run together And soon I don’t know ... Is it Wednesday or Saturday? We step through this disorienting, timelessness of social...

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betharichardson

Nov 6, 20191 min read

A World without You

I woke up this morning to a world without you. You were my bright morning star and confidante. Cheerleader and librarian. Theologian and...

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betharichardson

Dec 17, 20181 min read

A Sweet Advent Garland

Count down The days One by one. Each day holds One thing To remember. Each day Whispers, "Love." This Advent piece was made by Nashville...

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betharichardson

Dec 6, 20181 min read

Last Night I Dreamed of Jack

Last night I dreamed of Jack. He was lost, but I knew he had Crossed the road And gone into the woods. I walked into the forest And...

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betharichardson

Aug 22, 20181 min read

Broken Wide Open

As soon as we laid eyes on you  Our hearts rushed in, unprotected,  Held captive by you  With your bright, smiling eyes. Even with your...

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betharichardson

Aug 15, 20171 min read

Hate, Emboldened

Hate, emboldened, Steps out of a closet, Packs a suitcase, And drives to Virginia. Hate, emboldened, Does not feel the need To cover up...

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betharichardson

Jul 13, 20172 min read

Turas Cholmcille

Yesterday we took a very special pilgrimage to ancient stones in the Glencolumkille village in County Donegal. The traditional name of...

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betharichardson

Jul 8, 20171 min read

Clonmacnoise

We enter the gates Of Clonmacnoise. Ahead of us are Centuries of life in the Spirit. You have a choice, the leader says, Go in pilgrim or...

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betharichardson

Jul 7, 20171 min read

Saint Ciarán

I found myself drawn back to the ruin of St. Ciarán's Church at Glendalough. St. Ciarán was the anam cara (soul friend) of St. Kevin. His...

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betharichardson

Jun 15, 20171 min read

The Legacy of Hatred

Each day I see the legacy of hatred Written across my screen, Displayed in videos. It enters my car in voices on the radio. Fists raised...

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betharichardson

Mar 24, 20171 min read

Hello, Sky

I step outside the airport And greet the Oklahoma sky. Hello, sky. It's been a long time Since I stood under you And marveled at your...

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betharichardson

Jan 18, 20171 min read

The Long View

When I feel despair about The way things are Or hopeless about What is to come. When I feel lost, No longer sure of the paths I am to...

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