3/25/05 Update: Yes, I have been working, in fits
and starts, on the book. I find anything to do other
than
work
on
it,
even though I am convinced it is Very Important to
me.
In the last year, I've been working on the second
half (the angels) while distracting myself with issues
of organization. My goal is to have a first draft by
June 15th. (Not coincidentally, Lexi's last day of
1st grade.)
Background: I thought about writing a book within
six months of my diagnosis in 1981, but warned myself
not to start it until I lived with this new monster
(M.S.) for longer. In 1994, it took the form
of a master's degree thesis
called "Chronic Illness as Creative Transformation."
(Open new window with Abstract
and Table of Contents.) I was on to something,
but I was also hopelessly arrogant and prescriptive.
Shortly after writing the paper, I was distracted
by a major shiny thing (disguised as A Way to Make
a Living),
the Mother
of
All Shiny
Things, in fact: the DOT.COM revolution. Five businesses
later (two of mine and three by marriage), I came
up for air.
In 1993, I actually began writing essays I thought
were part of The Book, and put up a web
site to track
them. It didn't quite fit.
Then I was asked to give a guest
sermon, which turned
out to be (God working through the lectionary) about
Jesus' healing of Jairus and
the woman with the flow of blood. Writing the sermon
was a transformative experience. It has called me not
only to a deeper, more public faith; it has called
me to expand my learning, thinking,
and writing about healing.
