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Charissa's avatar

Just wanted to say I really enjoy your reflections, Katy. That's wild you watched the church get demolished! Probably more thoughts to share but for now just sending appreciation and encouragement to keep processing and writing. <3

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Katharine Strange's avatar

Thank you, Charissa!

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Jen Swan's avatar

Yes I am a card carrying good girl, someone who presented herself as a helper without her own needs. As a teenager my dad died and I had a short lived rebellion but as I am quite sensitive I flipped over to good girl pretty quickly, training to be a nurse and kept in that form by church teachings on sacrifice, service, dying to yourself etc. Trying not to burn all now that I am feeling the many feelings I have suppressed! Its complicated though I also have found such healing and hope within the Christian narrative and the church community

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Katharine Strange's avatar

I'm so sorry about your dad, it sounds like you really went through it. Good for you for recognizing these patterns and doing something about it. I know what you mean about it being complicated.

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Jen Swan's avatar

Thank you it a long time ago and I share it just to say that I think it made me susceptible to the people with clear confident answers. I so longed to have security in life. But becoming more myself has probably happened as ive learned to trust myself more which I think you also alluded to.

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Rachel Lanera's avatar

That lazy boy is hideous!!! Thank you for sharing your journey and drawing out from your readers too.

My mom recently moved into a senior

Community connected to the Christian reformed church and school. She taught me in high school. We were the first graduating class, started as 10 freshmen. 6 of us stayed to graduate.

It’s been hard to go back into that culture but I’m glad my mom is happy. It took me a loooong time to work through that garbage of small town, conservative Christian infiltration. Lol

I have felt most myself while a student at UW, and other times I’ve been part of something bigger that is not religious. Maybe that’s why I’ve volunteered so much.

I am so thankful that Jayson gets to spend time with you and your family.

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Katharine Strange's avatar

Thanks, Rachel, right back at you! I like your idea of connecting to a larger community outside the church.

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