40 Comments

"There is much I am experiencing, seeing, learning, and feeling in this stage of life that I’ve never witnessed up close before. It is hard. But it is filled with love and grace." Amen, Karen. Nothing else in life ever compares with a time like this - and nothing can compare with that matchless grace. The Lord continue to bless you all. 🙏

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Thank you, Richard.

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This quote touched my heart.

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Given the disruptions in my life in the past 18 months, and given that as I am aging, my eyesight is diminishing, I have often thought of this Milton sonnet. The last line fits (and blesses) many hard circumstances:

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44750/sonnet-19-when-i-consider-how-my-light-is-spent

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Oh, I thought of covering this and perhaps more of Milton’s shorter poems, too. I love this one.

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Anyone seeking a hard copy of Areopagitica should consider the Liberty Fund edition, which also includes other political writings of Milton, and is a beautiful volume (sewn binding on a paperback!) at a great price: https://about.libertyfund.org/books/areopagitica-and-other-political-writings-of-john-milton/

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Thank you for this link. There’s a coupon code on the website that makes this edition very affordable.

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🙌

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Oh, thank you for making that suggestion! I think I will order it myself.

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Dear Karen, we've walked through hospice care with both of my husband's parents and it is a sweet, sweet time. Praying for Jesus to be near to all. Thank you for your presence here even in the midst of hard times.

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Karen, I'm sorry to read about your mother's suffering and yours. I'll be praying for your endurance and comfort and for her complete healing. We know it is already purchased.

I loved reading your Jane Eyre article in Plough and wanted to share my excitement with you about Jane's faith. You said, "Jane Eyre is not only a novel, but also an allegory of the soul, a soul on a journey to secure a fitting place in this world as well as in the next. And it is that desire, that need, to find a place in this world that makes Jane Eyre – and Jane Eyre – quintessentially modern." For a decade, I've wanted to bring Jane's revolutionary faith to a modern context where it would be revolutionary once again. At last, I decided on a novel that brings Jane's story to 21st c. Princeton, my alma mater. It is my hope that Jane's choices -- set in our modern world -- will show a viable faith that is neither behind the times or ahead of the times, but "beyond the times" as Chesterton said. The book is completed but not yet published -- here's a link to my Substack with more info about it if you're interested. Thanks, and I'll be praying for your family. https://katesusong.substack.com/

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This sounds so fascinating! Thank you for sharing about your work here, Kate.

And thank you for your prayers. We sorely need them. 🤍

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Praying much for you Karen, I’m in a similar season with my mother though she does not live with us. I so appreciate the transparency of your journey amidst the regular routine of work etc. It is such a joy to be part of this community, your writing has been a blessing in my life for many years!

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Kathleen, it is such a blessing to walk with people over the years. You have been a blessing in my life. Thank you for being here. Praying for you and your mother now.

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Thank you, my heart is tender toward you. Mom and I are so close, I’ve cared for her for many many years. I appreciate your prayers. ❤️

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Waking up early this morning and praying for you in these wee hours, friend, and for your mom.

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Praying fervently for you, your mom and your family these days Karen ❤️

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Thank you Karen, I continue to pray for you and your mom as well, Jesus be so near.

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Karen, this is such a hard, heavy, holy thing. I’m so thankful your parents are close at hand for now and the days to come. So thankful with you that you work from home and are more available to them than in your academic posts. Words can’t fill the cavern in your heart, I know. In case it might help, here is the prayer I wrote for my own family in our recent hospice months with my mother.

Father of mercies, Comfort of the afflicted,

Walk with us through this dark valley

As we walk our loved one home to You.

Strengthen us to bear up under the dual weights of caregiving and grief.

Receive the service we render her 

As an oblation poured out at the feet of Jesus.

Let Your compassion flow through us

In care that honors her dignity as Your child,

Made in Your image.

Make us know Your presence in our most secret hearts.

Catch our tears in Your bottle,

As we grieve what we have lost and are losing

And we anticipate the loss to come.

Give us Your Spirit of gentleness with each other

Despite nerves frayed by sorrow and fatigue.

Bless the helpers You have sent us for their kindness and care.

Let Your presence and peace settle upon our loved one too, Lord.

Grant her a painless transition to Your presence

When the tally of her days is complete.

Thank You for the hope of the resurrection

And the life of the world to come.

Mercifully hear our prayer through the name of the risen Christ our Savior.

Amen.

🫂💙🙏🏻

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Beautiful. Just beautiful. Thank you so much.

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You’re welcome. 🫂

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Thank you so much for continuing to think of us and to pray. It means a lot.

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Karen, you are weighing heavily on my heart last night and today. May the Lord of peace send you peace at all times in every way today and an abundance of whatever daily bread you need. You are walking through such a hard thing. Even with the hope of Christ, it’s ok not to be ok. Sending loving prayers your way💙🫂🙏🏻

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I follow what you express in this about caring for a loved one—being present, learning, and growing—it’s all the feelings, and as you beautifully said, it’s grace and love.

Jane Eyre was my favorite assigned reading in high school. I’d like to read it again from an adult perspective—reading to learn, not consume. I am looking forward to what’s next as I have never read either of those works.

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Mel, you need to read my edition of Jane Eyre. 😃

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Honestly, that’s my plan 😂. Probably summer 25.

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🎉🎉🎉

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My grandmother’s and then my mother’s favorite hymn was The Old Rugged Cross. Prayers for you and yours.

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I knew it is one of my mom’s favorites so I asked my friend to play it particularly.

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No matter how long a life a loved one has lived, their last days with us always come too soon. I played hymns for my grandparents when they were dying of cancer, 25 and 21 years ago now, and it still seems like that was too soon, although I hope to see them again. May the God of all comfort (II Cor. 1:3-4) be with you all in this time. I am looking forward to reading along with you.

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🤍

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This might seem a strange idea, but it is based on my experience, and I mean this to be for anyone. At the ends of my parents' lives, I lived in northern Indiana, they lived in a New Orleans suburb. On both occasions, I was on my way but not present when they passed. I wish I had been there. I don't feel guilty that I wasn't, and clearly many circumstances can interfere, but if a person can be present when an important person passes, presence seems to be a better choice.

Another thought: I was assigned to read Jane Eyre in a graduate school course on the Victorian coming-of-age novel. Those novels are LONG, and I am a slow reader, so I didn't read Jane Eyre. Until 2023. I think one reason I did well with Shakespeare and drama is that I can read a play in a day or two. But I would like to encourage people to be lifelong readers. I might have enjoyed Jane Eyre if I had read it 25 years earlier, but last year was not a wrong time for it. I have read Paradise Lost a few times before. I hope your followers will choose to savor it. It doesn't have to be read in a hurry.

One last thought: Areopagitica is a Christian answer to all kinds of mischief done in the name of God and goodness.

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That’s a poignant insight, Jack. As hard as it is to go through this up close and in the center seat, I think it would be much harder being far away.

I’m so glad you read Jane Eyre finally! I remember your posting some about that.

And I totally agree about Areopagitica. I taught it to my college students every chance I could.

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Sharing in your sorrow as you, your family and your community "walk your mom home." Prayers for all.

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Praying for you and your family.♥️

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Praying for you all.

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Praying for your Mom, you, and your entire family. Sending warm thoughts your way as well.

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Thank you so much. 🙏

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Holding all of you in my heart. Thinking of you, your mother often. 🤍 I’m glad you have this space, especially right now.

I was thinking earlier this week about bulbs, wildflower seeds meant for tenderly planting in the fall. In the spring they will emerge and you’ll be glad to see the blooms. 💕

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🌱🌷💐

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