tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post4402898205566876890..comments2023-09-23T03:56:08.149-07:00Comments on Gberger: Willingness to Look, and Not Turn AwayGbergerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08895779471612397202noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-38024467005484076692010-03-31T15:30:44.684-07:002010-03-31T15:30:44.684-07:00This really is a beautiful piece, Karen. So much s...This really is a beautiful piece, Karen. So much so that I kept putting off commenting. I know. I'm a ninny. But thank you so much for sharing so much with so many. You've walked in incredible journey to get where you are today. Hugs to you, friend!Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01256281745796890125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-21049340688515607212010-03-30T10:58:42.314-07:002010-03-30T10:58:42.314-07:00Because of my experience when I was younger and th...Because of my experience when I was younger and the people closest to me choosing to pretend it never happened I remind myself when others are experiencing trauma, "Lean into it" I am afraid a lot of the time but it gives me courage to not turn away. I loved this post. Thank you.AnnDeOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06924496553474813816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-38280980499910972552010-03-27T18:27:14.680-07:002010-03-27T18:27:14.680-07:00This resonates so deeply with me, to the core of w...This resonates so deeply with me, to the core of what makes me and guides me. My own story is very different than yours, because the suffering I experienced was my own, and began as a small child. But it informed the way I think and believe and act= about most everything= to this day.<br />From childhood I had an instinctive refusal to accept anything that was not the truth, or reality, as I could see it or know it. This kept me from complete insanity as I grew, although I touched it's borders, and today, it gives me a deep empathy and connectedness to any life around me and the suffering we experience. <br /><br />Thank you for a beautiful thoughtful post.Maggie Mayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14699674732274478502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-43035659856739793942010-03-26T19:24:23.693-07:002010-03-26T19:24:23.693-07:00It is truely amazing all the experiences one can g...It is truely amazing all the experiences one can go through and how we have different understanding of those experiences on "where we are" in our journey when they occur.pysanki.blogspot.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16983697204378310519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-6588413951181640562010-03-26T05:31:47.740-07:002010-03-26T05:31:47.740-07:00Wow, Karen. You inspire me so much. You are a wo...Wow, Karen. You inspire me so much. You are a wonderful writer. No one I know can hit the nail on the head quite the same way and get the point out there, clear and concise and with powerful emotion. Good for you, good for us.Jennifer Stumpfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14754588652080363941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-88772192836494502402010-03-25T10:27:14.208-07:002010-03-25T10:27:14.208-07:00You always make me cry. I know that's a good t...You always make me cry. I know that's a good thing, because I find myself wanting to turn away from my own suffering. You help me to stay tender and open. Thanks for who you are, your depth, your sharing, (which I know takes deep thought and great effort). You really minister to my wounds.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14519140951660677172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-7848825695535898402010-03-24T22:37:10.186-07:002010-03-24T22:37:10.186-07:00I am sorry for the suffering of your friend while ...I am sorry for the suffering of your friend while in that care facility. And glad that you have found your home church.Angie Muresanhttp://www.angiemuresan.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-53938460706086306472010-03-24T05:09:16.129-07:002010-03-24T05:09:16.129-07:00I can't imagine all that you have been through...I can't imagine all that you have been through in your lifetime. You write so beautifully of all the tragic events that you have encountered and you have learned from each of these. Thank you again for sharing Karen.<br />And really, you should be compiling all of this for your future book. You can offer so much to help others.<br />xoxox<br />SuzBusy Bee Suzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18115487928147732314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-71328119664390979802010-03-23T20:50:38.427-07:002010-03-23T20:50:38.427-07:00Mary & Allegra: Thank you for sharing your tho...Mary & Allegra: Thank you for sharing your thoughts.<br /><br />In 1981, to work in an AIDS care center was truly ahead of the times, Allegra. You have the heart of a lioness, and a deep intuition. What a blessing you must have been to those who were dying, to their family and friends.Gbergerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08895779471612397202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-85364369625608506182010-03-23T20:31:48.970-07:002010-03-23T20:31:48.970-07:00One of the most rewarding things I have done in my...One of the most rewarding things I have done in my entire life was to be a volunteer many years ago (1981) at the HIV Day Care Center. It was just opened, I was the first and only volunteer for a while and I was there two times a week, all day.<br /><br />Nothing has ever given me the sense of belonging to the human race as much as my time there did. It was a project of the Ecumenical Ministries and the service was to the people who were dying of AIDS.<br />I was never scared, as many people asked me then, to work with AIDS patients. I comforted them and their families, I cried many tears when some of those wonderful people died, I wrote to their faraway friends since most of their families refused to do it, and all in all I learned the truth about sadness when truly shared is not as sad.<br /><br />It wasn't easy but it was worth it. Walking through the fire leaves us often with a sense of impotence, but once we are on the other side, I for one wondered from where my courage came to do what I did without even thinking.<br />It didn't matter then and it doesn't matter now. I was the one who was richer by the experience and I will always be grateful for the chance.A.Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06947308878002639964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6994832747844483996.post-20532671251603977882010-03-23T13:57:39.697-07:002010-03-23T13:57:39.697-07:00The feeling of powerlessness is both frustrating a...The feeling of powerlessness is both frustrating and frightening.<br /><br />I too, am so grateful for the strength I found to face into the suffering Erin experienced, rather than turn away from it. <br /><br />I feel I'm a richer person because of it - battered and raw at the moment, but richer.Mary Pottshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03952052366072701992noreply@blogger.com