I read The PIague when I was a junior at Notre Dame, in 1978. I’d been given an assignment to write a paper about the book but had confused deadlines, and I realized at about 6 p.m. one evening that the paper was due at 9 a.m. the next morning – and I hadn’t read a page, had no idea what it was about.
Building Bridges Word by Word is a virtual book in progress – and you are its authors!
We invite you to write a short reflection on a saying, quote, song, or poem that has meaning in your life. By posting your stories side by side, Building Bridges Word by Word will reflect the rich diversity of our lives and illuminate what we may have in common, so that we can begin to discover what connects us.
Each story will be part of the bridge we are building together across our divides.
“I need to teach her that it’s OK to fall a lot. It’s the absolute best way to know you’re flying.” – Ryan Reynolds
Monks and holy guides of many different faiths agree that each person has their own “grace.” As Thomas Merton writes, “And each way is a grace, a special way is a special grace.”
I wrote the first draft of this poem on January 26, 2025, during a Courage to Teach retreat outside Frederick, Maryland. We had read William Stafford’s “The Way It Is,” and I just couldn’t get it out of my head.
On the mantel above my fireplace sits a representation of Quan Yin. I keep her there where I can always see her, because she embodies my intention and my spiritual practice as a human being and as a writer.
I lived in my suburban townhouse for nine years before I set foot inside a neighbor’s house. I knew their names and enough for a few minutes of small talk, but after that it felt safer to hurry back inside…
My husband and I moved to Vermont, in part, because of our love for the land and farming. We filled our new homestead with native plants to support pollinators. This year, our farmer neighbor decided to plant corn on our border – corn laced with pesticides…
Long ago, I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner in the home of a family with two lovely little girls. Both the meal and the company were excellent. The kids had been excused to go play, and some of the grownups were eying a second piece of pie, when suddenly one of the little girls yelped, ran into the room, and burst into tears.
About tomorrow… Written on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Today is one of those Big Days. One of those dates that’s been stamped out in my
I don’t know my yoga students well. Their work, their families, their passions, their struggles are mostly mysteries to me. When they walk into class our focus is the yoga. We pay attention to our poses, our bodies, and our breath and try to leave the rest outside.
What quote is in your email signature? Why did you include it? What are you trying to tell us? Why take the time to write a reflection? Every story helps to build a bridge of understanding across our divides.