This is a beautiful essay, Charlene. Thank you for sharing it. I was once a pretend "church lady" but for different reasons. It is amazing how many things we "become" to hide who we really are, even when we don't realize it when we are doing it. I look forward to reading more of what you write.
What a beautiful, moving, skillfully written piece. I don't have anything profound to say about it, only that this was a wonderful way to start my morning. So thanks!
How very brave of you, Charlene, to share your story with the world. I have someone in my life who chooses to live outside the expected norms of our world. She does it silently, neither admitting, nor hiding, being gay. Yet, those who love her choose to accept her, and her friends, at our gatherings while still “praying” for her silently. My lifelong mantra has always been “judge not, lest ye be judged.” I know-and I believe you know-there is a HIGHER POWER and when my heart breaks for all who are judged “less than,” I think of a xeroxed copied paper hung outside a clerk’s window at a department store. I was having difficulty discerning “where I went wrong” in the life of this person who is gay. The sign read, simply,
Wonderful. I read this because my sister in law from my ex-marriage and I have reconnected and although still married to my old brother in law… is in love with her female friend. I read this to understand how difficult it is for both her and her new partner who was also married ( husband died). They are trying to figure out this very new relationship and hide it from family and friends. So difficult for them. I love her and I don’t care who she loves so I am supporting her every way I can. But the world isn’t that kind is it, even now when you’d think it would be easier. Thank-you for writing. I too left the church as I found it way too hypocritical for me. God doesn’t care where I pray. Jennifer
Beautiful and moving slice of your life, dear Charlene. I can only imagine how tough/exhausting it must've been, pretending all those years. I just wonder, though, when you saw how many family members came around to accepting your cousin Angela - and even attending her wedding! - didn't that make you feel safer, more able to hint at coming out? A bit encouraging... no?
Thank you for sharing your story. Many of my friends have similar stories. Your transparency here is beautiful and heartbreaking. I look forward to your memoir. Keep on being you!!
This is a beautiful essay, Charlene. Thank you for sharing it. I was once a pretend "church lady" but for different reasons. It is amazing how many things we "become" to hide who we really are, even when we don't realize it when we are doing it. I look forward to reading more of what you write.
Such a beautiful description of what must be a very painful life. Sending love.
What a beautiful, moving, skillfully written piece. I don't have anything profound to say about it, only that this was a wonderful way to start my morning. So thanks!
Based on this essay I am so excited about the memoir you are working on! Best of luck with it - I hope I get to read it one day soon
How very brave of you, Charlene, to share your story with the world. I have someone in my life who chooses to live outside the expected norms of our world. She does it silently, neither admitting, nor hiding, being gay. Yet, those who love her choose to accept her, and her friends, at our gatherings while still “praying” for her silently. My lifelong mantra has always been “judge not, lest ye be judged.” I know-and I believe you know-there is a HIGHER POWER and when my heart breaks for all who are judged “less than,” I think of a xeroxed copied paper hung outside a clerk’s window at a department store. I was having difficulty discerning “where I went wrong” in the life of this person who is gay. The sign read, simply,
“God don’t make no junk.” AMEN
Wonderful. I read this because my sister in law from my ex-marriage and I have reconnected and although still married to my old brother in law… is in love with her female friend. I read this to understand how difficult it is for both her and her new partner who was also married ( husband died). They are trying to figure out this very new relationship and hide it from family and friends. So difficult for them. I love her and I don’t care who she loves so I am supporting her every way I can. But the world isn’t that kind is it, even now when you’d think it would be easier. Thank-you for writing. I too left the church as I found it way too hypocritical for me. God doesn’t care where I pray. Jennifer
Beautiful and moving slice of your life, dear Charlene. I can only imagine how tough/exhausting it must've been, pretending all those years. I just wonder, though, when you saw how many family members came around to accepting your cousin Angela - and even attending her wedding! - didn't that make you feel safer, more able to hint at coming out? A bit encouraging... no?
Thank you for sharing your story. Many of my friends have similar stories. Your transparency here is beautiful and heartbreaking. I look forward to your memoir. Keep on being you!!
This is lovely, brilliant, relatable.