This year my hope was to write more. This blog is mostly for myself. With all that has felt chaotic and rambled inside me, I had hope I could start to unpack by writing and gaining clarity along the way. As my word for this year has been listening, I realize, maybe, I’ve been listening…Read more »
Author: Amber Blackwell
Another Birthday
It’s been a while. I am still working within my chaplain job. I have also been surprised how much harvest I’ve been getting from the garden since May. I planted several veggies as an experiment and have had abundance. I’m so grateful. I may write a post on that at some point. I’ve been trying…Read more »
A Lenten Season of Lament
Reading over my last post and thinking about my state of mind, body and spirit in this year alone, 3 months in, lament appears to be a theme. I believe anger walks alongside lament, many times hand in hand. Deep feelings and woundings can be greatly felt in these moments, and I am choosing to…Read more »
It’s a bit into the new year…
I’ve had a hard time this year reflecting and even considering writing. Currently, I just completed another surgery for more reconstruction and will have a week off to recover. I’m hoping that helps some with a much needed break from work. I’m still considering next year may be it for me and my chaplain career.…Read more »
Growing Roots
“Life cannot be static, or it ceases to be life. Life is growth, And what are we growing in a garden? Whether the tangible fruit is a tomato or a rosebud, in a garden, we are growing roots. We are growing connection. We are growing wholeness. And we are growing hope… we are never born…Read more »
Beauty at Rest
My garden was laid complete for the cooler weather with mulch two weekends ago. My dad helped, along with my daughter. My heart was sad to say goodbye to the everyday watering and love given and received. I could feel also how tired I was. I looked at my husband and named my readiness to…Read more »
Putting My Garden to Rest/ Wintering
Hello mid-November… I noticed the last time I wrote was mid-August. Wow. Time has flown by, with good days and not so good days. Honestly, I don’t know that I remember many of them. Sadly, I’ve had to jump back in to work and home life, and to my dismay, have not been present for…Read more »
Pushing Through and Finding Hope
Driving into work this week, I witnessed a large carrier van cut an SUV off in front of me. There was the suspected honking from both vehicles involved, my eyes did roll, after the adrenaline in my body simmered down. For me, as I drive over an hour to and from work mostly Monday thru…Read more »
End of the Innocence
I’m rounding out year 42, and what an unexpected year it has been. I had a mammogram on my 42 birthday that monumentally changed my life and my body. Not only being diagnosed with cancer, having a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction, I also gained incredible clarity about the second half of my life. I am…Read more »
Intention and Care
Well… I’m continuing to explore and be curious about my restless soul wanderings and my relentless self-inquiries these days. I’ve also been listening to several podcasts around listening to your gut, and I know as women and religious people we are often told not to- that we can’t always trust that. I believe, for me,…Read more »