tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post1654921494534179444..comments2023-12-27T09:28:32.621-07:00Comments on Retired English Teacher: A Personal Narrative about Decisions That Impact OthersSally Wesselyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-61357222492828948712015-11-22T16:50:19.347-07:002015-11-22T16:50:19.347-07:00Thank you for opening up. All I can say to you is:...Thank you for opening up. All I can say to you is: Bravo.<br />You were and are a very brave lady who has come through with conviction, faith, hope and charity.Frikohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04277167831642088694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-36553095089355251182015-11-22T05:25:41.816-07:002015-11-22T05:25:41.816-07:00As an atheist and humanist I really enjoyed this p...As an atheist and humanist I really enjoyed this post. What came through, or rather, burst through, was your honesty. Thanks.<br /><br />Greetings from London.A Cuban In Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16423293358605007539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-81161721472736368192015-11-12T07:27:47.818-07:002015-11-12T07:27:47.818-07:00A brave post, Sally. As an atheist, I read every w...A brave post, Sally. As an atheist, I read every word. I did not grow up in a religious household, but dutifully attended Church of England services as a teenager without ever feeling the presence of God. I liked the singing. Forty years later, and the world in the state it is, I can't see that much good has been achieved by any religion. Indeed, I only see around me charismatic church ministers who grow extremely rich at the expense of their parishioners. I do however, believe in the goodness of the average person and strive to appreciate those around me. I find it impossible to believe in an after-life. fiftyoddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17372578925298011630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-88497521605276912742015-11-10T06:35:43.411-07:002015-11-10T06:35:43.411-07:00Thank you for sharing such a personal story, Sally...Thank you for sharing such a personal story, Sally. It had to be a difficult decision to leave the LDS church, but you and your family are better for it. I was raised in a very religious Protestant household and brought my children up in the same church. But I confess that I'm not very fond of organized religion, and my faith is not as strong as it once was. Your next to the last paragraph states what is wrong with so many churches today. Jesus welcomed the children, the lepers, the prostitutes--I believe we should be as loving and open-minded as well.Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01384059342847120951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-2102152538696043942015-11-09T08:48:31.665-07:002015-11-09T08:48:31.665-07:00My sister in life, My sister in Christ. Sola de Gl...My sister in life, My sister in Christ. Sola de Gloria! I love you, RellAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06201996832125070318noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-76012598405100193332015-11-08T21:39:15.055-07:002015-11-08T21:39:15.055-07:00Mom, one of the things I appreciate most about you...Mom, one of the things I appreciate most about you is that you really always have encouraged every one of your children to find our own truth (which we most definitely have) and you respect every one of our unique belief systems. I'm not sure how you did this, because I certainly don't ever remember you"preaching" to us about it. I just know that you've always listened with an open mind and heart (Eventually. Sometimes it took us both time to reach that point.) and allowed us to find our own way. It's one of the lessons I've tried very hard to learn from you and emulate as a parent. Thank you for showing all of your children by example to question things rather than mindlessly follow the status quo, and to use our own voices and experiences to stand up for what we believe in. XOO-town Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12462693501650732288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-82167917526500042372015-11-08T21:11:20.699-07:002015-11-08T21:11:20.699-07:00Sally, this is a tremendously courageous and power...Sally, this is a tremendously courageous and powerful post, one to remind us all that the decisions we make for ourselves -- even the deepest and most personal ones -- can have an impact on others that we might not realize at the time. I am grateful that you shared this part of yourself. I suspect it wasn't an easy post to write because of its deep significance to you and to your children. But I think it was an important one. I so admire your willingness to allow your children to do and think as they choose -- and for you to do the same. Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-2197344553137642292015-11-08T18:36:26.274-07:002015-11-08T18:36:26.274-07:00This is a powerful piece of writing, Sally. You ar...This is a powerful piece of writing, Sally. You are brave to open yourself and your faith to scrutiny. To live a life of truth sometimes means having to take a stand, even if it's a difficult and not a popular stand. You seem very accepting of differing opinions regarding religion, even though you have a strong Christian faith yourself. That type of openness will always be inclusive rather than exclusive. Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984171407726520584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-61759564035249656452015-11-08T16:27:26.556-07:002015-11-08T16:27:26.556-07:00Sally, I am once again amazed and touched by the d...Sally, I am once again amazed and touched by the depths of your mind and the breadth of your life's experiences. This is a true baring of your soul and I thank you for the trust you have placed in your readers in sharing this. I am somehow honored to be among your readership.Olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00692441479616299920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-78913538659012038912015-11-08T16:23:25.878-07:002015-11-08T16:23:25.878-07:00What a beautiful and powerful post, Sally! I was s...What a beautiful and powerful post, Sally! I was so interested to hear about this aspect -- these aspects -- of your life: your religious crisis and decision, the pain of domestic violence, the impact of a major decision for you on your children. Thanks so much for taking the risk of sharing this part of your life. So many of us can relate in a variety of ways. <br /><br />I was especially struck by Julie's experience with her teacher and how, in a very public way, she was held accountable for your decision. It made me remember an incident when I was in a Catholic grade school and the mother superior came into the classroom one day and announced to our class of 60 students that no one was to speak to or have anything to do with me because my parents were not "properly married." What she was saying, after learning this in a conversation with the church pastor, was that my parents weren't married in the Catholic church. At the time, I thought it was because my mother wasn't Catholic. I used to beg her to convert and then to remarry my father in the church so I wouldn't be an outcast. She told me it wasn't as easy as all that. I thought she was being mean. Only when I was in my twenties, did I find out that the reason my parents had married in a Protestant church was because my father had had a brief first marriage (lasted less than a year) and thus he was unable to get married again in the church. I was angry anew at that nun who, in the name of religious dogma, made the life of one very shy and troubled tween even more unhappy. I wish more people would live their faith as Jesus taught.Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-21821807891852827222015-11-08T15:11:41.387-07:002015-11-08T15:11:41.387-07:00Beautifully written Sally. And it gave me the oppo...Beautifully written Sally. And it gave me the opportunity to reflect upon some of my own choices. Thank you for that...:)troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-90466514658888631372015-11-08T13:22:32.354-07:002015-11-08T13:22:32.354-07:00I, too, read every word. It can't have been ea...I, too, read every word. It can't have been easy to tell this very personal and painful story, but it will be thought-provoking for every person who reads it. It seems that most of my friends have changed from one religion to another, but not in the traumatic circumstances that you did. It also seems that some? many? religions have become concerned with sustaining their worldly power rather than helping people live good lives. But the point of this piece is the impact of your decision on your children, and that has some powerful implications as we look at religions today including LDS and my former religious home, Catholicism. Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17223278142557533175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-91639289714036765312015-11-08T07:50:56.257-07:002015-11-08T07:50:56.257-07:00Having been raised in a family that had never atte...Having been raised in a family that had never attended church, I was able to follow my own inner light. I see how much you struggled to reach your own beliefs after having been raised in another way. It's the first time I realize that it was a gift for me not to have to struggle against old beliefs. Beautifully written, Sally. Thank you. :-)DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-83664786766200656732015-11-08T05:34:59.261-07:002015-11-08T05:34:59.261-07:00Thank you - may you and all your family be blessed...Thank you - may you and all your family be blessed. Prayers for all of you, that our Lord will surround you with His love and that you will know His presence with you at all times.Helvanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-24266811240220501512015-11-07T21:04:31.243-07:002015-11-07T21:04:31.243-07:00Knowing you just a little bit, I am more impressed...Knowing you just a little bit, I am more impressed with you than ever after having read this story of your struggles and your faith journey. <br />My journey had taken me to a different place, from the evangelical Christian I was supposed to be to the Agnostic that I am. I so appreciate your willingness to be open to the rights of all to reach their own decisions. Linda Reederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665601809156707572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-51474758454075817912015-11-07T20:11:40.654-07:002015-11-07T20:11:40.654-07:00Wow, yours is a dramatic story for you and for you...Wow, yours is a dramatic story for you and for your children.Terra https://www.blogger.com/profile/04396481049075747940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-63154801884363615312015-11-07T18:33:21.591-07:002015-11-07T18:33:21.591-07:00I'm glad you have now written about leaving th...I'm glad you have now written about leaving the LDS church. There's something freeing about writing it out and publishing the story. There's nothing they can do to you now and your children are now adults. Your story can help others who are facing the same challenges. Good for you.<br /><br />Now, will you be writing about the secret underwear?#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-48305597853788201372015-11-07T18:09:38.580-07:002015-11-07T18:09:38.580-07:00I read every word. I rejoice with you and for you....I read every word. I rejoice with you and for you....and for your family. Sisters we are because of Jesus Christ. Christ alone through Grace alone through faith alone....<br />"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8<br />I praise God for the Holy Spirit Who drew you back.<br />I'm sorry that Keisha suffered persecution because of the stand that you made; I'm sorry that Julie was unfairly and unjustly asked to not wear her cross back to school....but I count it a blessing that Julie had an opportunity to speak out for Christ and that she stood proudly. Your daughters have a loving Mother who wasn't afraid to listen to and respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit. <br />I hug you from here. If I don't see you on this side of heaven, I look forward to meeting you (and Julie and Keisha) and rejoicing with you there. Until then, I send you love and hugs,<br />Jackie<br />P.S. As Julie walks those streets of Gold, I praise Him that she doesn't need the cross now that she loved to wear so much. She has Him now. It is finished.Jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214796594702277709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-30276676695571020482015-11-07T16:45:25.642-07:002015-11-07T16:45:25.642-07:00This piece was amazing--probably not the best word...This piece was amazing--probably not the best word I can use but you brought tears to my eyes. I am grateful you decided to share this part of who you are with the world. Someone needs to hear what you went through. Today is your anniversary--perfect day to share. :) Wish I could give you a big hug right now! You are one of the strongest bravest women I know. Terri Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07771622379178654235noreply@blogger.com