You introduced me to Mary Oliver. You opened my eyes to how beautiful family could be. You showed my heart what it means to live authentically and fully. I may be much older, but I continue to sit at your feet and absorb from your wisdom and holy spirit. This post reminds me of the song we sang at YWCA camp when I was growing up, Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley. Some walks are ours alone, but we go with a band of encouragers praying for us and creating an energy that helps us through. Prayers!

Sometimes I think I pray in order to believe. Probably most of the time, all of the time, if I’m honest. Praying with you, dear one. Always.

As Val said, your words not only help us understand what you are going through (for which we are very grateful), they give us courage to face our own journeys.

Tallu, you continue to be prayed for many times a day, by me and by many. I’ve wondered a lot recently about prayerI love your question, “does prayer influence outcomes or does prayer (simply or not so simply) change the one who is praying? Both?”

Grateful to you Tallu for your inspiring and thought-provoking words and grateful for you this Thanksgiving! With love, Sara

I remember your time in Nicaragua and the loneliness you described. I was a new mom at the time and experiencing a different kind of loneliness. I would think of you there while I was endlessly rocking my newborn in the dark and feel so connected to you. Your fierce love and your bravery have never failed to inspire me, and never more so than in these days. All the love, my friend.

I know how what you mean about feeling closer to God. When I lost my mother, who was my strongest supporter and best friend, and during the next several years after she was gone, I felt closer to God than at any time before or sense. I think He is always there, it is we His children who create the distance. Thank you for reminding me of that. We love you Tallu. Keep sharing.

You are such a wonderful writer!!...I love you beyond anything!

Tallu - you are amazing. Your courage to share your words, so eloquently painted, helps us each in all our lives, so far away from each other, and all in such vastly different circumstances. And, your willingness to share with us your feelings of lonesomeness makes us each feel less lonely where we are. Your words help us understand your journey and give us courage to face our own, and to live our lives in such a way as you do, giving of yourself to make someone else’s journey better. We love you, Tallu. Thank you for making this universe so much better, so much kinder.

Thank you Tallu for helping us all learn how to be better swimmers in the ever changing currents of our own lives. You are such an inspiration.