Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

Layers of memories
by Linda Post Bushkofsky

8.4.2016
|
Post

LPBtreeTo look at the tree in my friend’s backyard, you wouldn’t think it was anything special. But to my friend and her family, the tree honors the life of one who was miscarried.

The family planted a sapling in memory of one who was not.

Over time the tree has also sheltered many birds and a few squirrels, providing sanctuary to some of God’s creatures and offering shade on sunny, warm days. The tree has been and continues to be a sacred space. Time will be, however, when a new family lives in that house and enjoys that same backyard.

That new family won’t know about the miscarriage and its connection to that tree.

Look around you

To look at the street sign–Catherine Street–one might think it’s simply a marker, a name, just like First Avenue or Main Street. A passerby, either on foot or in a vehicle, likely wouldn’t know that Catherine was the young daughter of the general contractor for that original development, a daughter whose life was cut short by a tragic accident.

But to Catherine’s family, that street name is a reminder of the laughter and love a young girl brought to them. The street name is a sacred, silent witness.

[bctt tweet=”Look around you this day. Scan the horizon with the sacred lens of your soul.”]

Look around you this day. Scan the horizon with the sacred lens of your soul.

You need not know all the stories of your place–stories that extend back decades and centuries–in order to honor the sacred that is present. Remember that others have walked where you walk, have lived where you live, have experienced love and loss just as you.

This day honor them and all creation, thanking God, the creator of all.

Linda Post Bushkofsky is executive director of Women of the ELCA. If you enjoy our blogs, Donate Now.

+++++++++++++

Photo: By mtnbikrrrr CC BY-NC-ND

Share
No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Categories

  • Post (1,257)
  • News (295)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (7)
  • Devotions (76)
  • 2122 (3)
  • Uncategorized (2)
Women of the ELCA
2h
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

As we continue celebrating the lives and stories of bold African Descent women this month, today’s blogger writes about Sojourner Truth and reminds us to continue to the work she began. womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/… #BlackHistoryMonth #mondaymotivation #livingherstory pic.twitter.com/R7LNZ5dsjS

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2023 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.