GlossolaliaPT 2026 - Flipbook - Page 2
Much of my childhood, adolescence,
and early adult relationship with her
unfolded through silence rather than
conversation. Our communication often
consisted of instructions to complete
chores, along with long prayer sessions
that revealed an emotional depth she
rarely showed in daily life. On Saturday
mornings, she anointed our heads with
blessed oil, prayed over each of us
individually, cried, and spoke in
tongues.
Care Without Conversation
I never questioned whether she cared
about the safety and well-being of her
Understanding My Mother Through
children. What was missing was a
Shared Experience
steady exchange of guidance about life,
I began to recognize echoes of my own
education, relationships, and choices.
experience in the stories my mother
She seemed to believe that others—
shared during the last ten years of her
teachers, churches, classes, and
life. Those conversations helped me
community institutions—were better
understand not only who she was, but
equipped to provide that kind of
also the complicated nature of my
direction.
relationship with her.
Because of this, I often felt emotionally
A Childhood Shaped by Faith and
Silence
distant from her. At the same time, I
While I was growing up, my mother
offered little guidance, comfort, or direct
advice when problems arose. What she
did provide was structure through faith.
understood that she valued family
structure and remained committed to
keeping us in her care. Even without
timely, open dialogue, she left a lasting
impression on my life.
She took me and my siblings to church
The E昀昀ects of What Was Left Unsaid
and made sure we were grounded in
As a result, I entered adulthood without
religious practice.
the tools I needed to build lasting,
