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(Image from here .)

I could write a whole book about healing. But look here , Nancy has already written one! Nancy’s book is really good [and you know I don’t say that about every book]. Nancy shows us how we can be trapped by our own limited understanding of healing, our own limited understanding of the potential to heal. Her words, her story gave me both understanding and comfort. Read some of Nancy’s healing words .

You know I love movement! Usually I am promoting physical movement, movement of our bodies. Bird metaphorically moves forward after the trauma of her son’s birth and diagnosis. “We went on with our lives”. She beautifully shares her healing story comforting many people - as evidenced by those who left comments.

I hope each of you take the time to leave comments on every healing post you read.

You could take the meaning of healing to be figurative or literal. Jeanette was asked whether she prayed for a (literal physical) healing of her daughter . She lovingly explains why, no, she does not pray for healing her daughter’s diagnosis and shares biblical references to support her view. I will play the spoiler here. Jeanette’s prayer intentions are revealed in the end of her post: “My prayer for healing is that the world will be healed of its cynical view of perfection. We are all flawed physically, mentally, and spiritually.” Amen.

One in the same. I suspect many of you can relate to Alison’s story of healing. Her diagnosed-daughter was a source of great pain and then became a source for healing love . Alison’s story made me wonder if there is a direct relationship between the depth of pain and the height of joy from healing. You will miss something if you skip to the joyous ending. Keep some tissues close-by.

Many of you search continuously for healing interventions for your children. JoyMama writes eloquently about many different means to healing. “And somewhere, woven between all of this, is faith and mystery and miracle.” Wise words, indeed, JoyMama.

Bird, Alison, Jeanette and JoyMama all included their husbands in their stories. Let’s not forget that men have healing abilities, too, er, the ability to recognize healing. Rob makes an excellent point with “Scars are strange and wonderful things.” … “They are proof of survival and learning, healing and strengthening.” His smart words are at first directed toward his daughter, but in typical maleness, he reverts the discussion to his own scar from boyhood jousting. Just sayin’.

The only other father in the carnival is Matt. In Matt’s post on healing he jokes about being cliché but the cliché is about the process of healing. [Very OT-like of you, Matt.] Analytical and less emotional [very guy-like of you, Matt] he comes to a very succinct and uncommon (non-cliché) conclusive paragraph that you will want to take into your personal collection of wisdom.

Julie writes meaningful healing poetry ; really good poetry with a practical and inspiring message. She reminds us that we bloggers do something that helps heal each other. And then Julie says she has to take a break from blogging to, well, heal. Hope you’re feeling better soon, Julie!

I love word-play and have admiration for those who can make words do special things – like rhyme. Kara is a talented poet, and she reveals this to a larger audience by sharing her healing poem . Kara was the first to respond to my general invitation for the carnival. She uses word-play like a potter’s hands on clay. Oh, forget it. I can’t rhyme anymore than I can haiku. [Haiku is probably not a verb. What’s the penance for grammatical error? ]

Speaking of play - and humor – both healing mediums - mommy~dearest is an over-achiever-healer-blogger. First she told me she did not have time to write a healing post, then she posts a perfect healing post, and then she sends me a LIST of previous posts to choose from to include in this carnival! You may need the tissues for tears from healing laughter while reading m~d’s words here , here and (her personal favorite) here . Then, THEN, she sends me another post, an outrageous healing-mocking-you-will-LOL-and-WYP-post. Read “ I feel a healin’ comin on .” at your own discretion.

Fran’s was the final [on-time] submission [Matt] and the most apt for leading to my personal part of this healing carnival. In the most brief carnival post she puts together concepts and questions of healing our inner demons, and thinking on the biblical references to demons – the opposite of which is an

Across history humans have pondered the mysteries of the body and the mind. From earliest times, imaginings of the how-and-why-of-ourselves have captured thought and directed behavior. In the imaginations of some, external forces exist that have power over us. Dichotomies of good and evil and personages representing each came to life in language and art.

In our time, now, we have a rich faith history and the blessing of science to draw-from for our own thoughts and beliefs. We have all this to make decisions and participate in the mysteries of health and healing from illness.

I and mine have pretty good health. Healing has been most meaningful in my life when I am troubled or my pain is emotional. There have been stretches in my life when I am in search of relief from some devilish mental throb.

I use a lot of cognitive overlay while looking for recovery or a new level of comfort. So I’m always thinking, and I think thinking helps me [therefore it does.] The most severe pain I have ever felt was with my father’s death. The most healing thought for me, even now, is that he is with Him, and happy. Thinking of Dad’s happiness dulls my pain from missing him.

I used to do a lot of driving when I worked in the public schools. The car radio was my consistent companion for miles a day. One time I told my Studly Hubby that I thought God talked to me through the radio. No hallucinations, just that what was said in a particular moment was just what I needed to hear. What are the chances, eh? Like hearing one of these songs just as I was trying to puzzle-out an issue.

Angels Among Us sung by Alabama

Wild Angels sung by Martina McBride

Over time I decided that ‘angel’ is a code word for me to listen carefully. And to think about what I’m hearing. The idea of an angel as constantly-available communicant and guardian has helped keep me healthy.

Angels are the metaphor, the concept, the idea, the thought represented by someone else’s voice or a stranger in the moment that gives me a healing feeling. An angel reminds me of the happiness of heaven.

A mystery, indeed, JoyMama. And it was JoyMama’s name that came out of the basket to win the stained-glass angel! Send me your address, JoyMama!

If you felt some healing by reading these authors, please tell your readers about the Healing Blog Carnival. My personal thanks to each and every one of them.

October 06, 2008 in giveaways , parenting , Religion , Weblogs | Permalink

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A wonderful collection of beautiful posts.

Posted by: Casdok | October 06, 2008 at 02:58 AM

This was a fantastic carnival! : ) Thank you for including my post. Take care--jml.

Posted by: Julie L. | October 06, 2008 at 08:13 AM

Wow, you sure know how to throw a carnival! :-) Thanks for all the wonderful links, thanks for including me... and thanks for pulling my name out of the basket! Will send address info pronto.

Posted by: JoyMama | October 06, 2008 at 09:48 AM

Angel Barbara, Thank you for inspiring so many to contribute on the topic of healing (and thanks for including my post). I just finished reading *ALL* of the posts that were linked in today's posted results. I'm now soaked in the spirit and am steeped in thoughts/ideas. This topic has been on my mind for a while. I will let my thoughts settle, marinate, then see what comes out of my mental stewpot. I have no doubt God's at work here. Bless you!

Posted by: Fran | October 06, 2008 at 12:46 PM

Thanks so much, Casdok, Julie L., JoyMama and Fran. I'm really pleased with the early response. I hope others will remember to comment here - I could plan to do this again - say annually. Not soon enough? Perhaps someone will offer to host another blog carnival? Host gets to pick the topic....think about it.

I'm also hoping others will come back to leave a comment here on what they thought about the carnival.

Fran, you are too nice [blush].

Posted by: Barbara | October 06, 2008 at 02:21 PM

Wow, I am really enjoying this! What a wealth of beautiful people, stories and information. Thank you so much for including us in this Carnival! Alison + Abigail by proxy

Posted by: Alison | October 06, 2008 at 02:39 PM

This is great, Barbara--will keep me reading for a while!

My own post is up as well... you were on my mind, but my schedule would not cooperate!

Posted by: terri | October 06, 2008 at 04:14 PM

Thank you for including me! I'm honored and clearly in great company. :)

Posted by: Mir | October 06, 2008 at 04:17 PM

I agree with all of the above! Bravo for bringing together such varied, beautiful, thought-provoking and hilarious posts. And thank you for including mine in there too!

Posted by: Kara | October 06, 2008 at 05:48 PM

Kara, Mir, Terri, and Alison, Thanks so much for checking-in, and for contributing! Your contributions helped make this a meaningful sharing of support, and dare I say it, love. [Awww.] The angels are smiling on all of us!

Posted by: Barbara | October 06, 2008 at 08:45 PM

Yes, yes. I am always late. This is a fantastic carnival, and I am honored to be a part of it. Thank you for including me. I plan on catching up on all of the other posts tonight!

Posted by: Matt | October 08, 2008 at 04:59 PM

Matt, you are a good sport! The carnival would have been less without your [late] contribution.

Posted by: Barbara | October 09, 2008 at 03:36 PM

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