My Middle Name is Hope

Soul Force

Jacqueline — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 17:26:41 +0000

Today we complete our election process and hopefully will elect Barack Obama as our next President. I do not expect him to be a perfect President–something even he admits will not be possible–but I do trust his keen mind, compassionate heart, knowledge and revere of the Constitution, and his willingness to learn from others. All [...]

The Royalists and The Royally Funny

Jacqueline — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:05:52 +0000

I hear so many of my peers say, “I hate politics.” Some refuse to vote. Some practice apathy on all days but Election Day. Some try to find the middle–where they pay attention but feel utterly dismayed. I understand the feeling of hating politics. I think it is akin to saying, “I hate games.” We [...]

The “R” Word.

Jacqueline — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:44:35 +0000

Growing up I held onto the secret regarding being molested by my step-father because I believed John would kill my Mother if I did not. He dragged me by my hair and showed me the little vials at the top of the medicine cabinet. “See these? I can kill her anytime. I can kill her [...]

The Ghost of Relationships Past

Jacqueline — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:31:05 +0000

I often feel there is a ghost in the room when dating: the Ghost of Relationships Past. You know, the girl who broke his heart? He missed all the signs–the selfishness, the petty lies, the deep resentments, and prejudices–and gave her all of himself regardless. Now that the signs finally catapulted him [...]

Dedicated To the One I Love

Jacqueline — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 21:03:36 +0000

Have you ever met someone and just had magic from the very beginning? I do not mean sexual chemistry, although sometimes it does go hand-in-hand. I am referring to meeting a Soul Mate. Someone who makes your soul sing and your spirit dance. It may only be for a short time [...]

Who Are You?

Jacqueline — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:41:08 +0000

In The Screaming 7 Year-Old I wrote: I cannot help but wonder: Why do I feel so creative, capable and strong and also feel so stuck, inadequate and fragile sometimes? This question rattles around my whole being these days. I feel the fear of not being good enough seeping into my pores. The anxiety it [...]

In Kindness and Solidarity

Jacqueline — Sun, 25 May 2008 16:48:51 +0000

Many of you are familiar with Dr. Randy Pauch’s Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. For those of you who have not seen this amazing lecture, informed by his journey with terminal pancreatic cancer, here is the YouTube video of the lecture: In his book, he ends it with a request for information from those of [...]

A Girl’s Gotta Eat

Jacqueline — Mon, 19 May 2008 18:09:50 +0000

Food and I dance delicately with one another. I work hard to eat healthy, but I also know the times when the planet tilts swiftly beneath me and my emotions cry out for comfort food. My Deserted Island Menu of three items has remained steady throughout the years: broccoli, mac & cheese, and [...]

On the Precipice of Love

Jacqueline — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:41:53 +0000

I find myself on a precipice. The mountain climbed…the sorrow of a broken childhood, of a broken child behind me. The battle scars emblazon my side, my hands, my feet. I carried the first most horrid of crosses. I survived the plunge of the sword, for John tried to take my [...]

In the Stillness

Jacqueline — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:44:25 +0000

Mother has a favourite Cynthia Clawson song that she is unable to find anywhere. She only remembers one line and sings it regularly, “I am on a journey Lord.” Over and over again I will hear her lilting and crackled voice sing this line to me. She longs to hear the song [...]