tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post5014383429111121744..comments2023-11-03T03:22:05.542-07:00Comments on Costume Jewelry: HaircutsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-79280437732135782292016-10-08T08:56:39.970-07:002016-10-08T08:56:39.970-07:00I was sent to The Wee Free Church of Scotland Sund...I was sent to The Wee Free Church of Scotland Sunday School - my tyrannical hypocrite of a grandfather was 'Sunday School Superintendent' and a Church Elder.<br /><br />Later, I tried to emulate the Papa I really loved - he was a founder member of the Young Communists in Lanarkshire and taught me to say 'they are Parasites' when asked by the Teacher to tell her about the Royal family... Whit a man. All the gentle, humane things the other was not - the truest role model.<br /><br />I studied Religious Studies for 4 years at Glasgow Uni (it was my joint honours subject for my first undergrad degree).<br /><br />I have wanted to find a religious home but 'God' (Judaeo-Christian at least) feels just plain wrong to me. <br /><br />Often though - unbidden and overwhelming - there is this surge of worshipfulness (maybe thankfulness - it certainly includes that) - comprehension of the numinous. Maybe just walking to the Falls. Or watching my kids. And when Mum recovered enough to sip some water and talk. <br /><br />If the Quakers could accept that then I'd have found my home. <br /><br />I do know though, that I cannot accept a literal resurrection, or virgin birth or... <br /><br /> Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-66513293900061146842016-10-07T08:26:21.052-07:002016-10-07T08:26:21.052-07:00Hah hah. I'm a super shitty Quaker. I don'...Hah hah. I'm a super shitty Quaker. I don't think anyone would recognise me as one.<br /><br />I was raised very, very Catholic. The betrayal involved in that was spiritually devastating, the bitterness was profound and shitting-all-over-everything, and the recovery was a long one. I don't think it finished until I went to my first meeting. <br /><br />I still shit all over everything tho. Oh well. Mistress La Spliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05809336191903934481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-54783852426180329142016-10-07T08:16:45.946-07:002016-10-07T08:16:45.946-07:00Sorry. I presented all of that as though no one I ...Sorry. I presented all of that as though no one I knew could possibly be Quaker.<br /><br />I've wanted to visit (talked many times about visiting) the Friend's meeting house near here (Wiston Lodge). But been afraid.<br /> <br />'God' has been tainted for me. And I feel tainted too. A taint that makes me feel I need a deep detox - or I'd be a contaminant otherwise.<br /><br />I've re-read that and it sounds 'off'. I'm sorry.<br /><br />Margaret's memorial was a profound experience for me. <br />And silence seemed the most profound form of worship.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-37900223170112815812016-10-07T07:54:14.389-07:002016-10-07T07:54:14.389-07:00I'm Quaker - when I make it to meeting, which ...I'm Quaker - when I make it to meeting, which is hardly ever (I'm a mum and partner first, they aren't Quakers, and we don't get enough time together even without me swanning off to the meeting house once a month). The normal meeting for worship is the same. An hour of silence, and those who feel moved, speak. <br /><br />I've never felt moved to speak, but I've never been to meeting without having felt it to be a profound spiritual experience. It's sort of ruined every other form of Christian worship for me. Which is fine. Mistress La Spliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05809336191903934481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-74857212982853752222016-10-07T04:46:45.802-07:002016-10-07T04:46:45.802-07:00Best funeral (that really sounds 'wrong' n...Best funeral (that really sounds 'wrong' now I see it written down) I have ever been at was my neighbour's a few years back.<br /><br />Margaret was a Quaker (Professor of Town and Country Planning and also a major peace campaigner and social reformer). Her husband was a Quaker too (Prof of Architecture and - it must be said very unlikely looking - former WW2 spy who lived undercover for years in Austria and Germany).<br /><br />I attended Margaret's memorial - because a Quaker funeral is a very quiet family affair. The memorial is held approx 4-8 weeks from the funeral - giving the family time to grieve privately.<br /><br />The memorial consists of an hour of silence. Every one sitting in a circle with bowed head and closed eyes. <br /><br />Every now and again - maybe by force of God - people were 'moved' to stand and speak out a memory of Margaret or say what she had meant to them.<br /><br />It was the most profound and touching experience. A fitting tribute to Margaret who had lived a (very long) and meaningful, positive life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-22110339728186430312016-10-06T13:03:22.395-07:002016-10-06T13:03:22.395-07:00There was a thing at her cremation where everybody...There was a thing at her cremation where everybody had to write something *to* her, which I'd never seen before. I just stared at the paper for half a minute and then wrote "you're part of everything and me forever". And she is. The Jess who loved Carmen isn't the same creature who the Jess who didn't know or didn't love Carmen would have been. This Jess is better, I'm pretty sure. She was a very, very positive influence and I think her memory always will be. Mistress La Spliffehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05809336191903934481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17047716.post-53907319153955324992016-10-06T12:03:32.311-07:002016-10-06T12:03:32.311-07:00I'm sorry about Carmen. Loss is shite.
But y...I'm sorry about Carmen. Loss is shite. <br /><br />But you had her in your life. She's affected or changed you in some way. Maybe a way you've not thought about or are aware of. And it'll be for the better.<br /><br />Funerals - recap: religious funerals - are such shite too.<br /><br />That last paragraph - moved me to tears. Who would not want to have lived and have someone write this post. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com