I would agree with you but the world is unfortunately full of people who do not see as clearly as you and I. Thanks for stopping in and joining the conversation. I truly appreciate it.
Thanks Isabel. I grew up with lots of biblical stories and agree that Mary Magdalene is a woman to be celebrated. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Oh I'm so glad you asked!! "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene" by Cynthia Bourgeault. I've been fascinated to learn about her closeness to Jesus and her direct, embodied understanding of his message--her gospel was repudiated at the Council of Nicaea because it posited a direct relationship between each person and God and therefore threatened the hierarchy of the church. It's a heart-centered teaching. Bourgeault on Magdalene's gospel: when "the vibrational field of a particular human heart comes to spontaneous resonance with the divine heart itself, then finite and infinite become a single, continuous wavelength and authentic communion becomes possible..."
Thanks so much Isabel. I've read a few different books about her and her gospel. I'm looking forward to checking this book out. I have read a few books about her. Mary Called Magdalen by Margaret George is very good. And there's a trilogy by Kathleen McGowan that is also very good.
Kate, thank you so much. I sincerely appreciate you. You were one of the first writers I discovered when I found my way here. I have learned so much from reading your work, and I am grateful that we share this community.
What a lovely and moving tribute to the influential women in your life. Thank you for sharing and for giving your mom a chance to speak. I just picked up The Secret History by Donna Tartt and I can’t wait to get to it.
Thanks Jenn! I appreciate your constant support and engagement. It means so much to me. Donna Tartt is amazing. I loved The Goldfinch. The Secret History is slow but it is fantastic.
Such a grand post about the women in your life -- and on what and who you read. I'm honored to be included in your literary list that has so many extraordinary writers. Thank you, Matthew
Mary, thank you for the kind words. I have no way to express how much these and so many more amazing women have influenced my life. The majority of the literary influences have been women who shared their intelligence, wisdom, and love for life with me. I am truly blessed. I am glad to have "met" you here in this fantastic community. I am enjoying reading through your serialized chapters! I get one in here and there where I can.
What a wonderful post, Matthew! I feel incredibly honored to be mentioned in the company of such amazing Substack writers. Your tribute to the women in your life moved me deeply. How lucky you are to have them, and how blessed they are to have you.❤️
Thanks, Mary. That truly means so much to me. I am glad to have you in my community and am blessed by your writing. Thanks for reading and taking the time to participate in the conversation.
What a truly beautiful post, Matthew. Your love for the women in your life really shines through. And I really liked the addition of the literary women who have influenced you. Thank you also for mentioning me along such other wonderful Substack writers. You're a very generous member of the community!
It is unfortunate that words can never completely express the depth of my gratitude for these amazing women but I gave it my best! Thanks for your kindness, for reading, commenting, and bringing so much beauty to this space. It is truly appreciated.
Nikki Giovanni... yes Her earlier poems were the best, or the least self-conscious. Also Rita Dove cannot be missed. Especial early Rita Dove. What's with these poets? : )
I had actually never encountered Nikki Giovanni before finding this poem. I really enjoyed this one though so am going to have to look for more. Appreciate you taking the time to read and join the conversation. All the best.
Whether we realize it or not we each have our own story to tell, but not every woman feels she is a women of history. Thank you for bringing Women's History to the forefront, and for mentioning those who have made your list! We are all women of history, no matter how quiet we are about it. Thank you for sharing!
Such a good thing to bear in mind, Therese - love the idea that we are all women of history - Matthew has clearly inherited your insights and writing ability.
Matthew, this is so inspiring and beautifully expressed, with the perfect balance of poetry, your own words, and images. I love that your mother has been given the space to share her love of reading, and why books are so important to her - and I was very touched by the idea that a mother's love does not dissipate with time. Exactly so. A wonderful post, & thank you for including me in your community.
Thank you Ann for your kind words here and for you beautiful presence in this community. I am so glad that the interwebs aligned for us to "meet." I truly appreciate you.
Matthew, You are a gift to all of us here on Substack. This is such a wonderful post and tribute to women, and I am so honored to be in your list. Thank you. You have some very lucky ladies in your life and family!
Such a wonderful tribute, Matthew. Thank you for sharing. I'm happy you got to road trip with your daughter to visit your mom. What a sweet photo of them doing a puzzle together! Honoured to be mentioned here as well.
It was great to have that father / daughter time together. Not too often I have her attention for that long. We had some great conversations. Thanks for the kind words.
This is a wonderful and lovely tribute to your Mum (English version) and your family. I am single and childless,luckily I never desired to be pregnant,so that's worked out well,but my sister who is a caring and loving person has evolved to be the Matriarch of our family (and she's tiny!) not by any force but as her husband children,grandchildren,me,all of us come to rely on her love,care and wisdom,the way she makes time for everyone,goes that extra mile,gives sensible,good advice on practical and financial matters and makes anyone who spend time in her company feel like they matter. I had low level conflict with my Mum as a teen and in my early 20s as life revealed to me that God or Evolution or Fate ((Amor Fati) intended me to be a person I did not want to be,and so it has turned out. We all meet Death at the Oasis. But around age 30 I had this amazing insight that if I had been in a burning building my Mum would have recklessly fearlessly and with not a moments hesitation have busted in to rescue me even if to die in the process.That realization was pretty awesome. Both my Mum and my Dad put a high priority on reading (and asking questions). We had a bookshelf right at ground level and I have a memory of handling books when I was crawling so me and my siblings were "familiarized" with thereality of books from infancy. And my Mum taught me and my sister to read before we started school. Sadly this in my case did not put me streets ahead of the other kids but only because I lacked the wits and chutzpah to run with it. It,in my case,just confirmed the "we can't play with you,you're not like us,your different" status! Aw shucks children are so cruel,lol.
Thanks for the kind words Jane. Really appreciate having you hear. Thank you for sharing your own story here as well. Sounds to me like your sister is quite the amazing woman! I think that most of us have challenges with our parents in our teens and 20s as we struggle to find our own way. But it seems to me you realize how much your Mum loved you, regardless of any differences. Thanks again and I so appreciate having your voice in this conversation.
Hi Matthew! I'm really touched that you'd mentioned me in your list of women artists.
Like your mother, I have also been inspired and strengthened by the example of many female literary figures through the years, including Circe, Hermione, Elizabeth Bennet, and Anne Frank. Though I've yet to read Jane Eyre, I'm confident from reading your mother's annotation that she'll join the aforementioned list once I do 🤍.
Macy, I'm glad you're in my community and happy to see that you've been inspired by many great women in your life. Jane Eyre is a beautiful and wonderful story. I hope you enjoy it as much as my mother and I did.
I would agree with you but the world is unfortunately full of people who do not see as clearly as you and I. Thanks for stopping in and joining the conversation. I truly appreciate it.
What a beautiful post today. Currently reading a book about Mary Magdalene. She’s one I’d like to celebrate. 🧡
Thanks Isabel. I grew up with lots of biblical stories and agree that Mary Magdalene is a woman to be celebrated. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Isabel, I have to ask, what are you reading?
Oh I'm so glad you asked!! "The Meaning of Mary Magdalene" by Cynthia Bourgeault. I've been fascinated to learn about her closeness to Jesus and her direct, embodied understanding of his message--her gospel was repudiated at the Council of Nicaea because it posited a direct relationship between each person and God and therefore threatened the hierarchy of the church. It's a heart-centered teaching. Bourgeault on Magdalene's gospel: when "the vibrational field of a particular human heart comes to spontaneous resonance with the divine heart itself, then finite and infinite become a single, continuous wavelength and authentic communion becomes possible..."
Thanks so much Isabel. I've read a few different books about her and her gospel. I'm looking forward to checking this book out. I have read a few books about her. Mary Called Magdalen by Margaret George is very good. And there's a trilogy by Kathleen McGowan that is also very good.
Gorgeous post, Matthew. I’m also honoured that you mentioned me here. ☺️
That last line mixed with the poem is such a strong message. Open our hearts - yes - to wherever the wisdom and joy may come from.
Kate, thank you so much. I sincerely appreciate you. You were one of the first writers I discovered when I found my way here. I have learned so much from reading your work, and I am grateful that we share this community.
What a lovely and moving tribute to the influential women in your life. Thank you for sharing and for giving your mom a chance to speak. I just picked up The Secret History by Donna Tartt and I can’t wait to get to it.
I enjoyed The Secret History, as well as The Goldfinch! Tartt is quite the writer!
I enjoyed both of them as well Don! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh, cool, thank you! I will have to look for the goldfinch, then. Thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks Jenn! I appreciate your constant support and engagement. It means so much to me. Donna Tartt is amazing. I loved The Goldfinch. The Secret History is slow but it is fantastic.
Good to know, I will make sure to start it when I can become fully absorbed! Thanks so much!
Such a grand post about the women in your life -- and on what and who you read. I'm honored to be included in your literary list that has so many extraordinary writers. Thank you, Matthew
Mary, thank you for the kind words. I have no way to express how much these and so many more amazing women have influenced my life. The majority of the literary influences have been women who shared their intelligence, wisdom, and love for life with me. I am truly blessed. I am glad to have "met" you here in this fantastic community. I am enjoying reading through your serialized chapters! I get one in here and there where I can.
Oh, love, comment now and then, too! You were so lovely to give me those kind words: Made my day!
What a wonderful post, Matthew! I feel incredibly honored to be mentioned in the company of such amazing Substack writers. Your tribute to the women in your life moved me deeply. How lucky you are to have them, and how blessed they are to have you.❤️
Thanks, Mary. That truly means so much to me. I am glad to have you in my community and am blessed by your writing. Thanks for reading and taking the time to participate in the conversation.
Matthew, you are the soul of kindness. I’m grateful that you’re here.❤️
What a truly beautiful post, Matthew. Your love for the women in your life really shines through. And I really liked the addition of the literary women who have influenced you. Thank you also for mentioning me along such other wonderful Substack writers. You're a very generous member of the community!
It is unfortunate that words can never completely express the depth of my gratitude for these amazing women but I gave it my best! Thanks for your kindness, for reading, commenting, and bringing so much beauty to this space. It is truly appreciated.
Thank you, Matthew. You're very kind! 🧡
What a fabulous celebration of the wonderful women in your life, Matt, of wonderful women everywhere.
Thanks Barrie. I am a bit of a softie at heart. Just don't tell anyone! Looking forward to our call this weekend!
Being a softie is hugely underrated. Me too. And, me too. We’re going to weave in a long cycle so I’ll be the sleepy old looking fella!
Nikki Giovanni... yes Her earlier poems were the best, or the least self-conscious. Also Rita Dove cannot be missed. Especial early Rita Dove. What's with these poets? : )
I had actually never encountered Nikki Giovanni before finding this poem. I really enjoyed this one though so am going to have to look for more. Appreciate you taking the time to read and join the conversation. All the best.
Heart swell, at this beautiful article of blessings and appreciation, Matthew.
Thanks so much Victoria! I wish you all the best and thanks for reading.
Whether we realize it or not we each have our own story to tell, but not every woman feels she is a women of history. Thank you for bringing Women's History to the forefront, and for mentioning those who have made your list! We are all women of history, no matter how quiet we are about it. Thank you for sharing!
Such a good thing to bear in mind, Therese - love the idea that we are all women of history - Matthew has clearly inherited your insights and writing ability.
Love you Mom and thanks for participating. I appreciate all you have done and continue to do for me.
Matthew, this is so inspiring and beautifully expressed, with the perfect balance of poetry, your own words, and images. I love that your mother has been given the space to share her love of reading, and why books are so important to her - and I was very touched by the idea that a mother's love does not dissipate with time. Exactly so. A wonderful post, & thank you for including me in your community.
Thank you Ann for your kind words here and for you beautiful presence in this community. I am so glad that the interwebs aligned for us to "meet." I truly appreciate you.
Matthew, You are a gift to all of us here on Substack. This is such a wonderful post and tribute to women, and I am so honored to be in your list. Thank you. You have some very lucky ladies in your life and family!
I appreciate you Pamela and thank you for the kind words.
Such a wonderful tribute, Matthew. Thank you for sharing. I'm happy you got to road trip with your daughter to visit your mom. What a sweet photo of them doing a puzzle together! Honoured to be mentioned here as well.
It was great to have that father / daughter time together. Not too often I have her attention for that long. We had some great conversations. Thanks for the kind words.
This is a wonderful and lovely tribute to your Mum (English version) and your family. I am single and childless,luckily I never desired to be pregnant,so that's worked out well,but my sister who is a caring and loving person has evolved to be the Matriarch of our family (and she's tiny!) not by any force but as her husband children,grandchildren,me,all of us come to rely on her love,care and wisdom,the way she makes time for everyone,goes that extra mile,gives sensible,good advice on practical and financial matters and makes anyone who spend time in her company feel like they matter. I had low level conflict with my Mum as a teen and in my early 20s as life revealed to me that God or Evolution or Fate ((Amor Fati) intended me to be a person I did not want to be,and so it has turned out. We all meet Death at the Oasis. But around age 30 I had this amazing insight that if I had been in a burning building my Mum would have recklessly fearlessly and with not a moments hesitation have busted in to rescue me even if to die in the process.That realization was pretty awesome. Both my Mum and my Dad put a high priority on reading (and asking questions). We had a bookshelf right at ground level and I have a memory of handling books when I was crawling so me and my siblings were "familiarized" with thereality of books from infancy. And my Mum taught me and my sister to read before we started school. Sadly this in my case did not put me streets ahead of the other kids but only because I lacked the wits and chutzpah to run with it. It,in my case,just confirmed the "we can't play with you,you're not like us,your different" status! Aw shucks children are so cruel,lol.
Thanks for the kind words Jane. Really appreciate having you hear. Thank you for sharing your own story here as well. Sounds to me like your sister is quite the amazing woman! I think that most of us have challenges with our parents in our teens and 20s as we struggle to find our own way. But it seems to me you realize how much your Mum loved you, regardless of any differences. Thanks again and I so appreciate having your voice in this conversation.
Hi Matthew! I'm really touched that you'd mentioned me in your list of women artists.
Like your mother, I have also been inspired and strengthened by the example of many female literary figures through the years, including Circe, Hermione, Elizabeth Bennet, and Anne Frank. Though I've yet to read Jane Eyre, I'm confident from reading your mother's annotation that she'll join the aforementioned list once I do 🤍.
Macy, I'm glad you're in my community and happy to see that you've been inspired by many great women in your life. Jane Eyre is a beautiful and wonderful story. I hope you enjoy it as much as my mother and I did.