Author Archives: revaam
Caution: People Grieving
As I was checking out at Target, the cashier asked, “How are you?” Without thinking, I responded, “Well, my mom died, I started a new job, and I think I forgot to put the dog in his crate before I left the house. How are you?” She stared at me, then slowly started scanning my […]
Steel Magnolias
Martin Creed’s MOTHERS is currently on display outside Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago during his yearlong residency. The white neon and steel display is a kinetic sculpture, measuring 48 feet wide, 20+ feet tall, and steadily rotates 360 degrees. Creed states that the piece had to be that large, “because mothers always have to be bigger […]
Dance in the Graveyards
February 13 marks the one month anniversary of Mom’s death, and I find it very appropriate that this anniversary lands on Ash Wednesday: a day when we acknowledge our finitude, dependence upon God, and the reality that from dust we were created and to dust we shall return. While I have been exceedingly aware of […]
Living as Those Prepared to Die
Since Mom’s death, there’s a comment I’ve heard folks say often that makes me a bit queasy. It goes like this, “If Carol Masters can die of cancer, that means anyone can die of cancer.” On the one hand, I get what folks mean by that, since she did have cancer for 30 years, and was […]
Elevator Lights
A reflection about being with one of my mentors as she died in 2008. Written in 2012 for Purpose Magazine’s January 2013 Epiphany publication. I did not even plan to visit her that evening. I pressed the down button on the elevator, yet when I arrived on the first floor, something in my gut told […]
Born on Inauguration Day
This article was published by Marketplace in January 2013 in celebration of January 20th Inauguration Day birthdays. As you’ll read in the article, my Mama died on January 13, ergo why I’m behind on my blog and life in general. She gave me life on January 20, 1981 and we have much work to continue […]
All is not calm; all is not bright
Thanks to Christian Century for publishing this piece about the violence many Chicago teens know all too well.
Symbols of the Season
While cleaning my condo a few days ago, I accidentally vacuumed up baby Jesus from one of the nativity scenes and had to retrieve him from the almighty Dyson. I dusted him off and glued his sweet lil head back in the manger. He isn’t really even supposed to be there yet since it’s still […]
A Royal Priesthood
With all the press about Kate Middleton’s hospitalization due to her diagnosis of hyperemesis gravidarum, I can’t help but wonder how Diana would respond. Perhaps Diana would have already called the media out for all the hype and speculation. Maybe she would have reminded the world of the many women and children who are hospitalized […]
Joy of Every Longing Heart
Yesterday during the “announcements” segment of worship, there were comments about upcoming cookie baking, intergenerational Advent crafts, and other such holiday activities. Then a child raised his hand, and when the pastor acknowledged him asked, “Is Christmas about joy?” The pastor thanked him for his question and said that it was a perfect transition to […]
revaam 