This afternoon, I was in Oshkosh prison, sitting in our meditation circle. The day’s topic: War in Ukraine. Collectively it’s on our minds and in our hearts.
Yesterday, I had three (in-person!) pastoral visits at Oshkosh Correctional. These are spaces of deep listening and bearing witness, as well as reflecting the prisoner’s goodness and growth back to them.
Yesterday, I spoke about my heavy heart; about how much I miss people; about grief. It was a relief to name and express my sadness. Rather than pretending “I’m doing great!”, I made space for being not okay. Speaking this publicly took off the edge.
I’m reading Claudia Rankine’s book Citizen: An American Lyric. It’s compelling. Beautifully written. Deeply painful (especially as my eyes open to everyday racism and the comfort of white supremacy).