You may know that I have an adult daughter: Rachel Chase. Among her many talents, she is a most amazing yoga instructor. Women my age who have taken her Gentle Yoga classes stop to tell me how healing and joyful she is. How she has helped them. What mother doesn’t melt at hearing that? Yeah. Knocks my yoga socks off.
I make sure those ladies know I cannot take credit for Rachel’s awesomeness. She did that. She pushed herself to overcome, to find a healing path, to graciously introduce that path to others. Of course, I am proud. Naturally, I hope my influence on her is healthy and sweet. I strive for it to be so. But she is her own person.
What does this yoga post have to do with the Pope?
I want to say I appreciate what Pope Francis recently said to Congress upon his visit to the U.S.A. According to the transcription at Patheos, here you go:
“I also want to dialogue with all those young people who are working to realize their great and noble aspirations, who are not led astray by facile proposals, and who face difficult situations, often as a result of immaturity on the part of many adults.”
Right on, Frank, as my impish hero, Stephen Cobert, called the world-wide leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Love the Pope’s phrase: “In spite of the immaturity on the part of many adults.” I’m thinking of my persistence in staying in a fundamentalist cult for a fanatically long time and training my young daughter in its not-so-helpful-in-making-better-human-beings ways. Alleluia, we escaped just as Rachel turned twelve years old.
Ever since, I’ve sought to educate myself and undo whatever cult damage I passed along to Rachel. And there was some. Like living under the Band-Aid of denial that kept me from acknowledging the indisputable reality of life in front of me.
Yoga can help with that. Yoga does help with that. I am living proof. Yoga helped me write my memoir. Not only is my daughter my yoga instructor, I have another yoga teacher—shout out to a most dedicated practitioner and teacher of Hatha Yoga, Dave Walsh, MA, LMHC, NCC.
I’m in such tough shape I need TWO yoga guides! I need two, on alternating days of the week, to lift me out of my funk where I sometimes land as a writer and get me to pay attention to NOW. To reality in front of me. To HERE so I don’t miss the life I am actually living.
Yay for the healing power of yoga. Yay for compassionate, respectful guides. Yay for the yoga mat. Yay for the lovely children we are ever so grateful for, who inspire us and become our teachers of light.
So, as Rachel says, “Ciao for now.”
Namaste.
See you next time!
“Easy reading is damn hard writing.”
– Nathaniel Hawthorne
Kate Reich
Your writing gives me great enjoyment during a difficult time, thank you
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Kate,
Thanks, you just made my day!
Charlene
Chris Cushingham
Be, Here. Now. Thanks.
Charlene L. Edge
Yes. Yesterday was so 24 hours ago.
robyn allers
I know Rachel is as proud of you as you are of her.
Charlene L. Edge
Mutual admiration society around here.
Tara Chiavetta
You are a lovely writer and your daughter Rachel is an amazing person. I’ve only known her a little over a year now but it feels like we’ve been friends much longer. She supports my business in any way she can and is a breath of fresh air when needed. Wonderful article, thank you.
Charlene L. Edge
Thank you, Tara. I’m delighted to hear from one of Rachel’s superduper friends.
All my best to you,
Charlene
Karen
Charlene, I don’t know if you remember but you took me to my first yoga class years ago at the Winter Park YMCA. Now I can’t imagine life without yoga. I really enjoy our Tuesday night class. Rachel is an amazing teacher.
Charlene L. Edge
Hi Karen,
Yes, I do remember. Love going to Rachel’s classes with you! See you next Tuesday at her new venue, the Wedding Chapel in Winter Park.
Namaste, my sweet friend!
Vicki Escude
My daughter, Laura, Rachel’s friend, sent me this newsletter. How touchingly written, and how poignant the thoughts. You and I are two moms who are learning from daughters who bring their bright spirits into our lives. Aren’t we lucky to have such great teachers!
Charlene L. Edge
Thank you for stopping by, Vicki! Yes, our young women-daughters are amazing ladies, indeed. I am grateful beyond words. I see Laura’s photos and am very happy for her music career!