Letter to My Children (July 12, 2021)

Dear Jonathan, Sarah, Josh, and Christina,

Hello dear hearts. I apologize for not writing sooner. New laptop, and difficulty adjusting with the photo section frustrations, etc. How are you all? Spoke to your dad this morning as he’s back on land from a sailing trip. Of course your grandfathers are both well, strong stock! And the rest of your many relations up here are hale and hearty. The above picture shows your Aunt Nancy’s name on your grandparents' headstone. It is one year since she unexpectedly died. We talk of the memories of Aunt Nancy and you kids. Remember the burnt toast?! We miss her.

Stopped in at Aunt Jackie's new house on Saturday, she was painting away. Uncle David is going to plant the little field in buckwheat for me. Cousin Bill raises bees and is making some new beehouses to put on the land near the field. Cousins Brad and Nicole had us all for the 4th. So many little ones! Bittersweet for me, hugging them and missing you. Grampa needed you there. To make him laugh, and get him to tell his old stories. Your cousins needed you there, to bring them comfort and camaraderie. Your aunt and uncle are bewildered and hurt at your continued refusal to rejoin your family. I am counting the days till you are part of my existence again.

Most folks don’t realize what that means. Since you kicked me out of our home and life at Pastor Scott’s insistence, for no reason other than to be ‘broken’. I (and the rest of our family) have had no calls, no gifts, no holidays, no visits, no letters, no ability to talk to you, no texts, no messages, no way to give you gifts, no return of our voice messages. Nothing. It is like you have disappeared from the earth. No access to your Facebook or social media. Nothing. This is what Calvary Temple does to families, and is the reality for scores of individuals who’ve had family members ripped from them.

Of course it's not normal is it? None of us(extended family) attend the same church, but we've always interacted. None of us(again extended family) have identical world views, yet we all converse/ interact. None of us (extended family), always see eye to eye, but we are family, and we are tolerant. Just like Jesus did. Remember, Love gives to others, it doesn’t take away from others.

I love you. Will come at the moment you call or text. Or you are always welcome (and wanted!) up here by me and the rest of us! Come home kids, bring the rest of the family we have never met. Soon.

Love you lots,
Your mom