Our Stories Matter

Chicago late night Q&R

Yes this 700 room hotel is beautiful, but I’m afraid my wifi connection cut out near the end, so I’ll just wrap it up by saying that I had a whole new level of appreciation for this old building and the people that have come through here after hearing it’s story.

One thing I’ve enjoyed on my trips back and forth to the elevator is how every floor is decorated with beautiful black and white photos of twentieth century icons that performed or stayed at Palmer House like Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens and Judy Garland.

“Those who love us never leave us alone with our grief. At the moment they show us our wound, they reveal they have the medicine.”

Alice Walker

Our first day of the “She Recovers” Conference was dedicated to Judy Garland. We all know about her lifelong substance use disorder ultimately led to her death from an accidental overdose in 1969, at age 47.

Sharing our stories can help us heal and reconnect and they may just be our best chance of finding peace of mind and peace in the world.

“When I hear people who are speaking from their deepest wisdom, I can feel understanding, inspiration, and energy nourish the root of my own wisdom. But I must not lose myself at the feet of others. My most vigilant spiritual practice is finding the seconds of solitude to get quiet enough to hear the Wise Woman in me.”

Valerie Kaur

May we all find ourselves in one another’s stories.

With love,

Rev Nona