Stranded on the Mainland: Inner Pilgrimage and Living Alone as a Spiritual Path:

Can't sleep tonight. I'm thinking about the ruling read today by the justice in the Hockey Canada sex assault trial in London. I'm thinking about how E.M. must be feeling. I recall that last week I listened on-line to the epilogue from Thomas Merton's book,  The Sign of Jonas . Am I on "fire watch" tonight walking through a silent inner courtroom? Next. I am struck by a quote from one of E.M.'s lawyers (whose name I've lost track of at the moment). I think it was her civil lawyer? He told a CBC reporter, in response to justice Carroccia saying E.M.'s testimony was not credible or reliable, that he thinks,  "inconsistency is suggestive of truth and reality." I have experienced this to be true. I exit the "silent courtroom" with the last eleven words of Merton's,  The Sign of Jonas  epilogue reverberating a higher verdict,  "and leaves stir behind the hushed flight of an escaping dove."  Cb Amen Thomas Merton, "...

With summer quietly crossing over into the second half of July, I'm continuing to think about wrapping up my blog. Then, I listen to Thomas Merton's,  The Seven Storey Mountain on-line: I'm struck by the line, "It was my defeat that was to be the occasion of my rescue." I think of my blog title (Stranded on the Mainland): I think of difficulties with my mother, of losses around my own maternity, of having been a wife, a friend, aunt, niece, cousin, a social worker, a political staffer, a postulant, a coworker. Were all these defeats to be as Merton says, occasions for God to rescue me? This is amazing if so. And I believe it is so. Breathe. I feel the pain of love and loss loosening it's grip, when all is said and done. Warren Zevon - Keep Me in Your Heart Cb Amen image:pixabay

SANTA SUBITO. Deep breath. Yesterday I learned in the best and gentlest way possible that my friend Gabbie passed away on January 12, 2025. It was Gabbie who encouraged me to start blogging during Covid-19 lockdowns in Toronto. I want to say more about my friend Gabbie and our connection through the Sisters of Life, but not right now. My heart is too full of love and joy and grief, and honestly just awe. I'm stopped in my tracks for now... I heard a song today during  Canada Day  celebrations that made me think of Gabbie. It's  I Believe in You , by Amanda Marshall:  Bing Videos . Gabbie believed in me and she loved Jesus so much-- both of which I benefitted from so much. Thanks Gabs💕 I don't know whether Gabbie will be put forward as a potential Catholic saint, I hope so. Gabbie and I actually never met in person but we shared the same taste in boots and hats. Our friendship began through an extraordinary snail mail adventure in the middle of covid lockdowns, it de...