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Goodness

In Poetry by Paula Stone Williams

The good are always near If you have eyes to see them Though often cloaked in Garments of some worn religion Their goodness like beams of light Passed through a cracked door Falling soft on hidden places Where all the …

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Twelve Bells

In 4LTR WORD: FREE by Paula Stone Williams

In April of 1968, I was 16 years old and a disc jockey at a radio station in Northeast Kentucky, quite a heady job for a high school junior. The station had an Associated Press teletype machine that clicked away …

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She Showed Up

In 4LTR WORD: FREE, Williams Pop by Paula Stone Williams

By all outward appearances it was a successful life. I ran a growing nonprofit, served as an editor for a venerable magazine, taught courses at colleges and seminaries, preached in the rotation at two megachurches, hosted a national television program, …

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A Game of Redeeming Features

In 4LTR WORD: GIFT by Paula Stone Williams

The Mets had won the ‘86 World Series and everyone wanted season tickets for ‘87. When I went to the stadium the Mets staff took me to the visitor’s locker room, where only recently Bill Buckner had contemplated Mookie Wilson’s …

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Yes Is The Only Living Thing

In Life Reflections by Paula Stone Williams

Scott Peck began his best-selling book The Road Less Traveled with the line, “Life is suffering.” All the great sages acknowledge life’s suffering. That we suffer is not the question. The question is whether or not we suffer well. Psychologist …

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Secret or Private

In Life Reflections by Paula Stone Williams

I had a great psychotherapist who had grown into his name—Solomon. Dr. Michael Solomon’s wisdom was of a kind rarely seen. He added breadth and depth to my complicated life. Often his words were simple, yet profound. For instance, he …

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Dissed and Dismissed

In Relationships by Paula Stone Williams

I flew to Philadelphia, then took the Acela Express to New York City. I usually write when I am traveling. On this trip I watched. At my airport gate there was a slight young brunette with 5-inch heels and skinny …

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I Take Her Hand and Spin

In Exploring Faith, Williams Pop by Paula Stone Williams

God always seemed so “other” from me. I had a kindergarten teacher who was about 95. If she ever liked children it was before both world wars. Miss Gibbs was mean-spirited and downright cruel. Midway through each afternoon we took …

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Our First Suffering

In Life Reflections by Paula Stone Williams

In his insightful book, The Middle Passage—From Misery to Meaning in Midlife, James Hollis says we acquire a “provisional identity during the first adulthood.” Early in life we need boundaries and the values of mom and dad. Without them we …