I was standing on a wooden church pew beside my granddaddy singing to the top of my voice, “Bacon and eggs; bacon and eggs; for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus but with bacon and eggs.” I loved bacon and eggs and I loved my Grampa. I was 4 years old andContinue reading “Joyful Song”
Author Archives: Linda Pearce Griffin
I am a writer, storyteller and artist. I come from a family of storytellers but I'm the only one who has written mine down.
Sesshin
I heard about Sesshin from a Zen Buddhist monk that sends newsletters out to followers. Sesshin (pronounced se-sheen’) is a Buddhist Silent Retreat consisting of alternating sitting and walking meditations that basically last all day for a series of days (usually seven – although this one would only be from Friday – Monday totaling apxContinue reading “Sesshin”
Musings by a Fire
Written while on a silent retreat in January 2023: This morning I sat before a fire in a huge stone fireplace at St. Francis Springs. I read bits and pieces of a book by Richard Rohr. But often I sat gazing at the fire – being present with its hissing, spitting, and soft hum. IContinue reading “Musings by a Fire”
Retreat
Recently I went on a Silent Retreat at St. Francis Springs Prayer Center. I had only ever been perfectly silent for 12 hours, which isn’t all that difficult. I was in the company of three other women. Our plan was to be in complete silence for 48 hours. I didn’t know what to expect butContinue reading “Retreat”
Me Too
I was just over twenty-one, newly married, and living in Staunton, Virginia. In the original plan I was to have returned to college after the wedding but that didn’t happen. Instead, I went to work. My first job was at a Dunkin Donuts, which, for a variety of reasons, didn’t last long. I’ll just sayContinue reading “Me Too”
Jane
If I close my eyes I can still see Jane’s cute pixie face with its porcelain complexion, her thick, shiny auburn hair, and her sweet smile. We were both RNs and we worked at a medical clinic. When I first met her we were float nurses – meaning that we “floated” to whatever area ofContinue reading “Jane”
More or Less
Ya know how sometimes a tune comes into your head? Snatches of a song, a poem, and sometimes something as ridiculous as a commercial? And they play over and over? Yeah. I’m fairly sure we all get them – those annoying “ear worms”. Well, a couple of days ago one came into my head andContinue reading “More or Less”
Laughter – Part II
Laughter has certainly buoyed me through a lot of difficult days. Sometimes life is hard and situations aren’t funny in the moment but being able to laugh about them later is what kept me from sinking into despair. This is particularly true when I recall the turbulent years of raising my son with autism –Continue reading “Laughter – Part II”
Laughter
There is nothing quite as sweet as the sound of a baby laughing. The joyfulness of it bubbles out and all around. The delight is infectious. Is there anyone who can resist smiling in response – even when the baby is a complete stranger? And everyone has heard the adage “laughter is the best medicine”Continue reading “Laughter”
Silence
Once upon a time I wanted to be a nun – the whole bit – wearing a habit, carrying a rosary, and living in a convent. The “Song of Bernadette” was my favorite movie – the story of a young girl who had a vision of the Blessed Virgin, went to live in a convent,Continue reading “Silence”
ARTiculation 