Now I Am Known by Peter Mutabazi is a special memoir because it is about a special man. He is actually an ordinary man who went through traumatic things but was found by people who saw that he had potential. Throughout his life Peter was found over and over again by people who saw that he was not all the things that had been spoken over him in his abusive childhood but so much more and because he was seen and heard, he was able to take the tools he was taught and learn to forgive, and then, he was able to not only survive and thrive but lift up those around him.
Peter Matubazi was born in Uganda. Where he is from, wives and children are seen as burdens of the husband, who is allowed to neglect and abuse them, even in the middle of the street. Peter knew his father did not love him, his mother, or his younger siblings. He was told this every day, sometimes many times. He was told with his father’s words, with his hands, with the dirt floor he slept on with no blanket, alongside his siblings, and the fact that he was allowed a meal every other day, while his father ate daily and drank alcohol.
When Peter was 10 years old, he decided he had taken his last beating. His father had sent him to the store to buy a few cigarettes. It was pouring down rain. There was no way to keep the cigarettes dry. Peter had been selling handfuls of peanuts at the bus stop and he had saved some money. He took his money with him and he didn’t look back.
“Before you can be known by others, you have to leave places, patterns, and ideas that lie about and devalue who you are.” Peter Mutabazi, Chapter One
After Peter left home, he had many experiences that helped shape him: He lived on the streets. He was found by a kind family that helped him get into a boarding school where he excelled. He continued to do well and studied in England and The United States. He also worked in many outreach programs around the world and in Africa, helping children in war torn areas. But his favorite job was becoming a father through fostering and adoption. You really should read this Christian inspirational book. But not because anything is forced on you, but because it is shown to you in a way that is easy to see.
“While we are shaped by our past, none of us are chained to it. None of us are predestined to repeat the mistakes of the generations that came before. We all have a choice about the type of person we will be.” Peter Mutabazi, Chapter 13
Now I Am Known by Peter Mutabazi is a special book because it is about a special man. He is actually an ordinary man who went through traumatic things but was found by people who saw that he had potential. Throughout his life Peter was found over and over again by people who saw that he was not all the things that had been spoken over him but so much more and because he was seen and heard, he was able to take the tools he was taught and learn to forgive, and then, he was able to not only survive and thrive but lift up those around him.
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
I knew your nasty cancer ass was here
before the test came back positive
Nobody else feels like you do
But I decided I won’t give you what you want Anger is your favorite side of me
So I might be a little sad, tired, or scared
But I am surrounded by strength
When I don’t have my own
I have someone else to hold onto
I will focus on thankful
I will perpetuate education
and hope and peace and love
because that is how we won the first time
~
Grammy has been here
You liked her so well
you attacked her twice and won
Nana visited me too
She beat you twice
Grandma beat you more than once
She has also stopped by recently
to remind me how strong I am
My grandmothers remind me that
technology has come so far since their day
But life goes on and they are still supporting me
because love doesn’t die
Even if bodies do
~
Mom asked me why you’re back
I know she just wants me not to hurt Sickness just happens sometimes God never promised an easy life
He did promise He would never leave or forsake me
He has carried me every time I couldn’t walk
Nothing will separate me from His love
and not only His but Karen
who quietly takes notes Jamiewho researches for me
Friends who send me loving messages and
the person reading this because
you have that tear running down your cheek
~
I have one of the best doctors in The United States
I’m not sure how that happened
but I am thankful for the blessing Endometrial Cancer is slow growing
This time it is in a different spot and in my lymph nodes Dr Westhoff said systemic was the way to go
So, pills are number one
The ones I took last time are a no
They caused blood clots and weight gain
She is excited that I have lost over 100 pounds
But Letrozole causes joint pain
Well pain is just something to tackle
So I have decided I am going to win this time too
~
And I have contacted my rheumatologist and my neurologist
I will see my primary next week
because this fight takes the whole team
I talk to my therapist on the 20th
I think I will be ok until then So here is to my joy!
Because I never understood the phrase
“Fuck Cancer”
I only have enjoyed sex with those I truly love
and trust and want to hold onto
And YOU, my dear, are none of those things
I never thought you were really gone
But I will only truly be happiest when you are out of my life forever!
I am writing regarding initiative IL26-638protecting girls sports, which was filed on June 2, 2025. 308,911 signatures were required, yet 444,434 were collected, so I guess many of my fellow statesmen want it. It was certified January 21, 2026 by the Education Committee.
This initiative states that students who are already mandated to submit proof of a physical exam from their pediatrician, that shows they are healthy enough to play school sports, must also include proof they are biological females, in order to play on girls’ sports teams.
This initiative only picks on the female players. Apparently, females can still play on the boy’s teams. Also, nothing in the initiative is written about which bathrooms or locker rooms anyone would use.
No one defined what a girl is. What if a student has, a vagina, but she has chromosomes of a male or testes that have not dropped? There are a number of ways in which intersex people develop naturally that have not been addressed in this initiative.
I have no interest in belittling the needs of cis females. After watching the interviews of a few cis female athletes, I can empathize with them to a point. Since they can only see the world from the viewpoint they have been allowed to see. High school sports play such a huge role in the careers of everyone who plays them; it’s so defining that we can’t possibly teach students to cooperate or share resources or even to put up a curtain for certain students to have privacy, or send specific students from practice early, so they can be done in the shower before the rest of the students ever get in there.
Politicians tend to see only one way to work; fight. There is competition in sports, but there are also skill and talent, team building and communication. These elements are available in politics also. We do not have to win at all costs. High school sports should be more about skill, talent, team building and communication. Sex and gender are a component because these things are developing during this time of these student’s lives, but they don’t have to be paramount. Conservatives want to say that biology defines sex, but that is true at a very elementary level. Gender is defined by many things, not just genitalia, but chromosomes, our emotions, and the way we think. I heard one microbiologist say that the chromosomes that do anything at development before birth to decide whether or not I had a penis or a vagina aren’t doing anything right now. I thought they had an interesting perspective.
Right now, we want to encourage healthy human development. All students deserve this. If everyone is yelling, is anyone listening? What does this initiative do to make the field level for all students?
If my cries for help
can somehow
change from the groaning of my soul
with no words that I know
to joyful worship of You
before You hear me
That is my prayer
~
I know I need
I know I struggle
and so do You
But so do all of my siblings
and we are all connected
to one another
We are part of each other
~
You are not afraid of pain
and sorrow
You have born it all
and You will help us heal
each other
One laugh, one smile,
one kind word at a time
One bottle of water
~
Living Ministries
are a tribute to life Ministry refers to a position of service
or an administrative body
It spans distinctly 3 areas: government, Spirit, and art
This is my heart
~
I am a child of Cowlitz County
It is her that I love
Let us learn her song
and dance together
Let us be Cowlitz County Strong together
~
Living Ministries was begun in November of 2010 mainly out of my broken heart for homeless people who were falling through cracks in services. We had a great run. We worked with many great organizations and helped a lot of people with fundraising and encouragement. And then I got sick and political things happened and life went along as it does. One thing that I did as Living Ministries was to create an Online Resource Database and I have continued to maintain it. I have not done anything else; however, I know Living Ministries is not done. If you would like to get together with me or are interested in joining with me, please fill out our Board Member Application. If you have any questions, please Contact Living Ministries.
Living Ministries (Summer D Clemenson) promises to keep your information confidential. We cannot promise privacy for any information given via email. Please do not send personal information via email.
I am writing to you regarding the Refugee Act of 1979. In 1939 a ship named Saint Louis with more than 900 Jewish refugees, fleeing from Nazi Germany, seeking sanctuary arrived on our shores, however, the United States, sent them away. They went back to Europe and more than 250 of these humans died in the Holocaust. Most of the US did not hear about this until after the war. Then following the Vietnam War, Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees fled the political chaos of their homeland, and the limits of the refugee restriction were stopping the United States from offering aid. Congress made a bipartisan effort and brought forth the Refugee Act – which made sure we do not turn away anyone without listening to them when they come asking for asylum.
On Thursday June 25, 2026, Chief Justice John G Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas, Justice Neil M Gorsuch, Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Justice Amy Coney Barrett, all unelected justices, decided that the Refugee Act does not have to be honored by President Trump. Although Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Elena Kagan, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson did not agree, and they said so, humans in need of aid, can be kept from reaching our shores or border where they can ask for asylum, where they law applies. Our current president welcomes White South African “refugees” but goes out of his way to remove people of color from the United States and now he can prevent asylum claims from being heard.
Congress wrote the Refugee Act. President Jimmy Carter signed it. This law reflected a lesson we had hoped we had learned and did not want to repeat. Now 6 people that We the People did not vote for, have created a work around for a president who has shown us time and time again that he has no respect for our Constitution or the rule of law. This letter is not just about immigration. My argument is stating the fact of another blow against checks and balances. This is another attack against the rule of law. This is another strike against our republic.
Justice Louis Brandeis once said: “We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. But we can’t have both.”
I have watched Congress allow Trump to do what he wants. Now I am watching justices hand him more power. Where are the checks and balances? As we get closer to our nation’s 250th birthday I really don’t feel like celebrating.
My most recent PTSD opportunity happened a week after my 12th anniversary. My cousin got married on May 16th. I am very happy for her. She has been through so much and she has persevered. But I wasn’t invited to the wedding. I was excited for her and looking for the invitation that didn’t come; eventually I got an online invite to view it online. My feelings were a little hurt, but it did make life easier. Karen didn’t have to take a day off and I could watch it from the comforts of home. When the moment came, there were technical difficulties and the groom’s family was irritated. I have streamed for much larger events and I was trying to sound nonchalant and supportive; also wishing I was there to help.
Later that evening, my uncle uploaded a raw version of the video he shot from his hand-held camera. When I saw the video, I saw Ms. Colvin before I even saw the bride, and Winnie was bringing her down the aisle, along with one of my uncles, to her brother. I understood why I wasn’t invited.
Winnie is my biological father, and he could not come to my wedding, even though I invited him.
As I struggled through a lot of emotions, my experience as a videographer reminded me why family members who are too close should never shoot the video. My uncle is too emotional, and the video is shaky because he was crying and he didn’t have the camera on a tripod. His choice to shoot from the middle of the isle, was questionable because I saw Winnie’s second wife, before I saw the bride. I know I am still taking this personal, but I don’t think he was the best choice as the technical crew for this event. Considering the conversation my cousin and I had about Winnie and Ms. Colvin a few months before the wedding, my shock at not only seeing them at her wedding, but that he gave her away, when our other uncles were available leaves me dumbstruck.
Nobody even warned me. This is the part I have been wrestling with ever since May 12th. Winnie didn’t share my family with me because Ms. Colvin didn’t like me, so I don’t have the memories and emotional ties they have. But the ones I have are why I carry my grandmother’s name and why she has helped make me a strong woman. Ms. Colvin does not deserve my grandmother’s name.
Ms. Colvin is a gossip and a backbiter, and she has hurt everyone in our family. She also knows how to use Winnie’s temper to brutalize anyone that she wants to scare into controlling. She has terrorized her own daughter and her own grandchildren as well. (And yes, I know I am guilty now too)
Father’s Day has always been hard. Winnie didn’t even like it. He knew he wasn’t worthy. He knew his father fell short too. I see the beautiful memories other people share and usually I thank God for Grandpa Bill, Nana’s second husband, my real grandfather, who taught me so many lessons. But this year I had to snooze my cousin because I couldn’t look at her gushing posts about Winnie.
They still tell lies about me. At least Winnie and Ms. Colvin do. They run to new family members and tell lies about me. They have threatened anyone who might want to help me. They know we are stuck, have been stuck. They know I am chronically ill. The day I told Winnie I had cancer, he screamed at me about stuff I didn’t do, years before, because Ms. Colvin makes sure he abuses me, every chance he gets. She sent me a terrible letter a week after my Grandpa Bill died.
Winnie has always abused me emotionally because when he was done being a terrible husband to my mother, he expected me to take care of his ex-wife and his kids and even though I was really a little girl. I was only 9 years old, but he didn’t care. He didn’t stop Ms. Colvin from doing whatever she wanted to do to whoever she wanted to hurt, especially TyAnne. He thinks it’s normal to sacrifice the oldest child. He doesn’t believe in mental illness, even though he shows symptoms of PTSD, at least, and Ms. Colvin seems like the perfect narcissist.
He seemed hurt once when told him I would never live with him, but he doesn’t know that when I lived with Mom, I only wanted to kill myself. If I had lived with him, I don’t think Winnie and Ms. Colvin would have made it because when I was about 5 or 6, before he left us, we were sitting at the dining room table, he told me to never let anyone hit me; and I have not.
I have spent years in therapy because the person I fear most is myself. I know what I think about. I understand evil. I won’t abide by it, but I understand why people do what needs to be done sometimes. I have chosen to learn to forgive which is really hard and has many layers and has to be repeated as many times as necessary, but some pain doesn’t heal. That is why love is so important. I don’t believe Winnie and Ms. Colvin know what love is; what they do is survival.
My therapists have all told me I am strong and kind and not dangerous. But I know I have spent years learning not to feed that part of myself that is like Winnie. I have practiced love and watched Karen G Clemenson and Jamie Holloway carefully because they have a gift for loving that never came naturally to me, but I am getting better at all the time.
I wrote to Winnie several years ago and told him I am no longer his daughter. I want nothing from him. I have heard enough from other family members to wonder why they let him in their homes. I know they are scared of him, but they don’t need to be. I win every fight. All you have to do is look him in the eye, remember the truth, don’t listen to his bullshit, don’t forget who you are, and consider the fact that cowards scream the loudest and eventually he will sit down. Ms. Colvin banks on the fact that most people don’t like confrontation and Winnie looks pretty intimidating, but he doesn’t have the stamina or vocabulary I have. If I can win, so can you. Nobody deserves his shit. It isn’t anyone’s fault they won’t go to therapy.
I don’t lie. If I tell you something it is to the best of what I know now.
Grandma Clemenson is the only person in my entire family, on both sides, that ever blessed my marriage. She sent the only card we ever got from family. I am Mrs. Clemenson because I bear her name.
So, after much thought and prayer, I am done.
I have always wanted my birthright. I am the first-born daughter and granddaughter in a very large family, and I always wanted the relationship and support that I have read about in books. But this family is broken. I have heard positive things said about my grandfather, Allen Clemenson, but even as a child, I could feel that he did not love Winnie. I know there was something wrong about that. He did not come to Winnie’s college graduation. He did not look at him with any pride. He never spoke with love, always barking orders. The only conversation I ever remember having with him was when I confronted him, as a child, because he called black people niggers. And at 8-9 years old, I was not going to listen to that without a fight. I do not have good memories or feelings about this man, and I have seen a vast difference between the older and younger of the 9 siblings. I also know that he held my grandmother back from what she wanted and needed. Grandma Clemenson was an honorable woman.
No one ever protected me from Winnie. They still don’t. God told me to let go of everything that doesn’t serve me. I have things to do, and I live in a chronic body, so I have limits. I have to be mindful of that. There is a specific person in this family who told me I was important to them, but they don’t listen to me. If they had, they would have texted me to let me know about Kelli’s wedding. They would have known that being rejected is a trigger for me. I just needed a text. Something to prepare my heart. But this family doesn’t do that.
So, I am letting them all go. Love is not enough to hold relationships together. God does not expect people to make family more important than safety and communication. Since my cancer might be back, I need all my energy for the people that love me.
So, Karen and Mom and I are the Kelso-Longview Clemensons and are the originals. Jamie is my sister. And so is Sarah (my biological sister). The other ones have gone to the dark side. I have my niece Allie and her family and my adopted brothers Jeff and Josh. If you want to join us, let us know. You don’t have to change your name, or pay a fee or have anything fancy, but you will have to love us, out loud, and listen. Authenticity is key.
I’m sitting here in the night
it is quiet except
for Karen‘s occasional snoring
and the ringing in my left ear
I’m waiting for a new idea
~
I listen to her breathe
She has been my strength
when I couldn’t find mine
because I have been waiting
Hoping that someone would save me
from the pain that doesn’t heal
~
Some pain doesn’t heal
Some because it is chronic mentally or medically
and some because it even cut the soul
So even if it kind of gets better it always festers
~
But I like the quiet
The dreams haven’t come yet
Maybe they will foresee a beautiful future
instead of being a traumatic nightmare
where Karen wakes me up
or worse, my face explodes and I wake myself up
and writhe in the bloodless nerve pain
~
Some pain doesn’t heal
in fact, you know it will be there
Even if it isn’t there now
It will find you
and being brave is not a choice it is a lifestyle
They didn’t protect me as a child
they must have noticed I wasn’t there
when he came to see his mother
They knew his abuse
They knew what broke him
Some even helped make him who he is
They knew he was not safe
and still is not
~
They will not protect me now
No one is coming
I am here with my wife
knowing that his second wife
has consumed any goodness in him
and no one will stop him
They have chosen him over me
Again, I am collateral damage
~
This mental illness that has been passed down
through generations is called PTSD
because violence, porn, and neglect do not raise healthy adults
Every trip from Longview to Yakima
he screamed at me all the hate he had trapped inside
and then from Yakima to Longview he did it again
When I get triggered, it feels brand new
It takes a few days to pack it away again
~
I have cut ties with many people
I must let go of everything that does not serve me
I asked Karenif she is ready
to be the Kelso-Longview Clemensons
tethered to no one
Because no one is coming to save me
She said: Bring it on!
The woman who’s name I bear is dead
~
We get to define it however we like
So, from now on if you say you love me and you don’t prove it
Keep walking
God said He was more important than family
and now I know why
Because I held a human heart in my prayers last night
and I could have cursed it but instead, I handed it to Him
and not everyone will do that
I am writing to you regarding federal voting lists following Executive Order 14399 in which Trump mandated federal verification of voter citizenship before federal elections. The constitution states that federal elections are conducted by the individual states, although Congress has gradually enacted laws that regulate those elections.
This is not the first time that Trump has attempted to override the powers of Congress.
I see that Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs and Attorney General, Nick Brown have sued the federal government because of Executive Order 14399 which is unnecessary and doesn’t improve election security. I believe it represents federal overreach, makes it hard for homebound people to vote, and takes the rights of the state away.
Please continue to defend voter’s rights to free, fair, and accessible elections.
I was reading a post yesterday regarding Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS), which is a program that allows eligible individuals to receive long-term services in their homes instead of institutions. The author was concerned because of our nation’s history with improper care of disabled people in institutions.
After a search online, I learned that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will bring dramatic changes to Medicaid. This bill does, in fact, make cuts to HCBS, even though institutions are more expensive and less safe than letting people stay at home. The bill also requires people to check and recheck eligibility for Medicaid every 6 months, which sounds like more paperwork and cost to me. This seems like a waste. As a chronically ill person, as I understand it, my 13 diagnoses are never going to get better. I manage them, but 6 months or 6 years from now, they will still be here, just like they have been here for the last 12 years, I have known about them. Blatantly, senior citizens, families, rural and low-income people are being targeted by this bill. Yet billionaires and trillionaires got their tax cuts.
Our country found $100 billion for a useless war that created even more debt than we started with. We have $400 million for a ballroom at the White House, which was never necessary before now. $14 million was wasted on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, but it’s ok to treat United States citizens like animals because we don’t believe in Universal Healthcare like the other free countries in the world. Yep, I am proud to be an American!
I am writing regarding Social Security and Medicare. I am wondering how Congress can justify cutting benefits to people who are currently receiving Social Security and Medicare by 2032. Social Security is funded by employees and employers every month. How can anyone rationalize calling it an entitlement? SS is not a privilege, we paid for it and I pay for Medicare out of my Social Security benefits.
I have read that some leaders have suggested that the cap on taxable income be raised in order to bring in more dollars. Others have said we should continue to raise the retirement age. But politicians have been borrowing from the Social Security Trust Fund since Vietnam and they never pay back these “loans.” If the trillions of dollars were paid back, people needing SS and Medicare wouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Why is it we have billions of dollars to throw at futile wars or demolishing wings in the White House or useless downgrades to national monuments, but when it comes to caring for United States citizens, we are fighting about necessities? I should not have to say this to you. You should already know that people who have worked hard and paid into Social Security and need their money, should have it. But here we are; Please fight for me and my fellow United States citizens who need our Social Security checks and Medicare. We worked and we paid for it. Now it’s up to you to make sure we get it.
sometimes I hurt all over
and I don’t know why
I remember Mom asking me why
I was angry when I was a girl
and I didn’t know then
and I don’t know today
I just hurt all over
all over it hurts
and I don’t know why
~
every day I offer this pain to God
I give Him these tears
and every day there are more to give Him
He told me to give up the things
that no longer serve me
but I feel like this is a job
to serve Him
this collection of tears and pain
to give to Him that will never end
~
last night I sang with my brother
there were other performers
but when he sang
we sang to God and the Spirits moved
and souls were ruffled because angels
were with us and Jeff broke the sound barrier
and we were in a bar
and that is not an offering normally sold there
but we gave it freely
~
today I have collected new tears
and the pain has assembled
because humanity is prolific
this is not what God meant
but He knew what we would do
when He said to be fruitful and multiply
I can’t bear children
but I am aware of pain
I collect it even without trying
~
so I stretch and do my workouts
to remain flexible
I talk to God as much as I remember
and it doesn’t sound holy
I must read the good book regularly
or my mind gets negative beyond healthy
and I leave many humans alone
because they are not safe
even if I love them and they love me
It occurred to me I am no longer afraid of the things in the dark
The things that scare me most
happen in the daylight People arrested for peacefully protesting A baby shot because his mother stole diapers Small businesses taxed so high Police officers who can’t arrest homeless people who defile the businesses My mother has had a tumor on her liver for years now
She has insurance but her doctors just keep watching it
The paper plant in my hometown had a catastrophic event
because the tank holding caustic liquid was above ground
so it didn’t have be inspected by anyone so 11 men died on a Tuesday in May
~
Maybe it is because I have stared death in the eye
more than once
Cancer lost and even blood clots didn’t win
Maybe it’s because I am older now
and my perspective is coming from a different angle
But the things that made me cry when I was a child
still make me take a pause and a breath
My fear is for things I really don’t understand
Like senselessness, selfishness and people who don’t listen to their soul
No matter what side of the sun they are on terrify me
~
“Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together
and all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 4:31 through 5:1
~
I want to trade my traditions and religious training
for freedom
to love and laugh and speak life
into my fellow humans who feel tired
forgotten, overworked and heavy burdened
Because our Spirit is supposed to be free
to do the things I just said
And the contract is easy if you love
And it doesn’t matter what time it is
or where you are
Because religion stalls
but the Spirit feeds us
and creates even if you aren’t used to it yet You can grow into it
~
Note: Jamie Holloway colored the art and inspired the scripture to polish this poem which was started at the Songs of Hope Fundraiser for the families of the Nippon Disaster that happened in May 2026. I started writing this poem while I was listening to an artist talk about one of her songs at Fei’s Carriage Restaurant and Lounge.
I am writing to you regarding the electoral college. We must end the electoral college. We no longer live in a society that is uneducated. We no longer live in a world where information is difficult to come by. We as learned people must be heard. Our votes must be counted. We do not need to rely on electors anymore
I see that Washington State has enacted a National Popular Vote Compact on April 28, 2009 and it was signed into law. I would like to encourage you to continue to support this law and to talk to other states to establish the National Popular Vote Law.
I want to promote the National Popular Vote Law which would guarantee the Presidency to the candidate who receives the most popular votes in the entire United State of America. This plan which has already passed into law here in Washington State, would ensure that every vote, in every state, will matter, in every presidential election. Please oppose any attempts to repeal it.
I have been run through with this sword more than once
Many have held it
but your hand hurts pretty bad
Because you keep saying you love me exactly the way I am
~
I respect our differences
I find you fascinating
I love your brain and heart
even if we will never be able to talk about politics
I have never met anyone more intense than me before
~
I think that makes the sword two sided and more deadly
because I feel like I’m bleeding out
and the boundaries only work
if they are honored
and we can’t seem to act in return
~
I am guilty too
but when you tell me how I hurt you
I don’t mince words or shirk ownership
Yet you only apologize for your words and then I seem to pay
because you are not careful enough with me
~
You say you feel shell-shocked
because I overreacted
I own that because I did
but DEI and Pride are not political to me
They are my life
~
I live them so they aren’t just talking points
and when my wife is being attacked in public
and I can’t save her
and my city has had a catastrophe and I am mourning
and you want me to be casual
~
When nothing about me is accidental
maybe unedited or anxiety ridden at times
but that is my disorder
DEI includes Women, Disabled, Immigrants, and Queer It’s not just Black and White
~
When my body is striking a war against me
and I can’t speak
or eat or drink or sleep
I guess I need some empathy
and not a dispute
~
Even though you are suffering too
and we both know the meaning of bombardment
I can’t be what you need anymore
Because while you are struggling to breathe
I am fighting to exist
~
I have to let go now
Love wasn’t the issue
How we define it is different
I don’t choose to fight with you anymore
I need my energy for me
I do know that it is not March, but it is always time to read and it is also time to celebrate what being a nation that is 250 years old. Just as being 3 months late with this post, proves that I am not perfect, I can look at any media outlet and see that our nation is not perfect either, however, I can also walk down the street and see people who are trying to be their best selves. This last month, Cowlitz County has seen a terrible accident at a papermill in Longview, Washington, where I have lived nearly my whole life. People died. People were injured. All of us were affected. And all of us have come together in some way at the many fundraisers and GoFundMe accounts and vigils and ways that people collect and say, “I love you,” when something like this happens.
These children’s books are one way I pull myself together. I hope you have a healthy way you unwind too. So here is to reading 5 Books for March 2026…
The quiet beauty and excellence of Blue Sky White Stars by Sarvinder Naberhaus is as much told in the few poetry stanzas as the illustrations by Kadir Nelson. This nonfictionpicture book is The United States in art and patriotism on pages that is appropriate for children. It is thoughtful and beautiful. I really enjoyed this book.
Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel is a wonderful book about animals and colors, patterns and size, and shapes and sounds. It is perfect for any toddler who needs to work on their vocabulary. The illustrations are delightful and make you want to keep turning the pages.
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. You can get your own copy of Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel on Amazon.
Ms. Rachel and The Special Surprise by Ms. Rachel is a book filled with surprises and communication and music. The illustrations by Monique Dong are cute. This book didn’t excite me because it didn’t have a real story, but I could have fun with it as a children’s learning tool.
Manfish A Story About Jaques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne is a wonderful nonfiction memoir that brings the life of Jacques Cousteau to life, while sharing the history of how he helped us to learn about the ocean and science. The stunning illustrations by Eric Puybaret help bring the story alive. I think this biography would inspire any child to want to follow their dreams and be curious about what makes them feel excited. The only things I would change about this picture book is that on the pages with dark color, it is hard to read the words with dark font, however the story, itself was wonderful. I believe every page offers ample opportunity to talk not only about the story itself but vocabulary and concept building strategies for children who might have short attention spans.
A Cow For Jaya by Eva Grant takes place in India where cows are sacred because they provide milk to sustain human life, they also provide fertilizer and can plow fields to help grow crops. Because they give so much, without harming anyone, their peaceful existence is central to Hinduism. This book was precious to me from the start because it is only a few years older than me and I appreciated the layout and illustrations by Michael Hampshire.
Jaya’s family saved for a long time for their cow. A cow was a sign of prosperity because it meant they would have milk, cheese and butter. Jaya had expected a fat, white cow, but when he came home from school, he met Khubi. Khubi was small, skinny and no particular color. Jaya also didn’t know how much care and attention Khubi would require. He was very disappointed.
As much as he pushed against Khubi, Khubi loved him. She even followed Jaya to the market place one day. While Jaya was admiring a flute, another boy stole the flute out of his hand and ran. It looked like Jaya had stolen it and the angry storekeeper wanted to chase him down but Khubi stood strong and protected him. No one would touch Jaya because cows are sacred and if the cow was protecting him, he must be a good boy. The other boy was caught and and Jaya and Khubi were able to go home. Jaya finally understood that Khubi was his friend.
This beautiful story tells us about culture, morals and friendship. I really enjoyed this fiction story.
I checked this book out at the Longview Public Library. New copies of A Cow For Jaya by Eva Grant is not available. You may have to search eBay and other used book store outlets for your own copy of this book.
~
I hope you found some inspiration in any of these stories. Living in a chronically ill body I can’t be a preschool teacher anymore or even travel to some of the places I read about but that is the power of reading. Reading is a way to do the things in your mind that your body can’t do. I encourage you to travel as much as possible. It is always worth it.
I love you. Be blessed.
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
The spots on my pillow
are from when I bled in my sleep
The tears of my people
who have walked with my feet
The groans I hear inside
usually do not overcome
the ringing in my ears
To suffer is to have lived
To have looked at your fears
Many can ignore this
But I am uniquely wired
~
The water tasted different when I was a child
Delicious and refreshing
Now metallic and pithy
But I think the change came
as a choice to protect us from Industry and Commerce
so that our needs for bills to be paid
For homage to the Almighty Dollar
would not strip us of our need
for a glass of water
~
The men came home yesterday
from the medical examiner in Seattle
Soon they will be laid to rest
among their people
May we never forget the light they carried
May we hold it for them
and honor them in our love and laughter
May we hope and dream
May we learn and lean
May we never let what happened at Nippon
happen again
~
But let us cherish the way we came together
How we loved each other
in honor of these every day people
Who just showed up to work
on a Tuesday in May
But didn’t go home to their homes on earth
So we rallied and supported their children and each other
Because there are many kinds of families Cowlitz County isn’t perfect
but we are family
We don’t say drive safe
because you are a bad driver
But because sometimes you might be tired
from working overtime so you can pay your bills
And what about people who get sick
Because a stroke of genius
is not the only thing that can
happen behind the wheel
And what about people who just don’t care
because no one makes you hand over your keys
when you take a toke or a drink or however you escape
That’s why we wear seatbelts
and they don’t care what color you are
~
The same goes with White Supremacy
it tastes different in everyone’s mouth
Because we know it at different degrees
You might not actually hate
but you might know someone who does
You might hold beliefs born of this disease
But if you don’t or you won’t look at it
it wont change
You might not hate me
or my Black wife
But if you won’t even look at it
what does that say to me? Fear is an equal opportunity employer
~
Dr Samuel Johnson said in his 1775 treatise Taxation No Tyranny “How is is that we hear the loudest yelps for liberty among the drivers of negroes?”
Most of our founding fathers owned slaves
because they had never known a world without them Black people were seen as property
and used against us even by the British
It was wrong but if you can’t see it
How do you change?
But 250 years later we are celebrating our freedom
and it is time to look at our foundation and
see if there are holes to be filled
~
We are the United States of America
We are not a continent
We are a community
and together we need to live
To do this we must take our good medicine
Take our seatbelts off and move around
I want to see if we can trade any of this fear for love
then maybe we can be on the solid ground Celebrate all of us
Even the hard parts because we deserve it
Acknowledging everyone is scary
but only for a little bit
Because freedom is found in the daylight
He’s not too much
if you understand him
because he sees the beauty
in the quiet softness and it isn’t an act
The soft voice and black fingernails aren’t for you
They make him happy
while he sings songs about eyelashes and dinosaurs
and purple because
that is where his magic is at
~
“When you dream will you dream of me”
All he wants is what he gives
Because he doesn’t want to live alone
But its hard to carry
a chronic person
when you’re a chronic person
and that’s who he picks
Instead of someone who gives
and doesn’t keep score
~
But he’s always a gentleman
no matter the temperature
of his songs you’ll never know
how cold or how big
the history of him is
Because like an iceberg
You only see a bit
He deserved happiness and rainbows
but instead that is what
he writes songs about
~
Tattoos and hats cover what he hates
His 2nd wife calls him a loser
But I see how he takes garbage
people who don’t know throw at him
and he makes custom guitars and beautiful songs
So like the term raptor means “to seize by force”
that is what Jeff does with life
And what you take from him
He makes it into a treasure
My friend sent an article today
about people I’m related to
And I don’t see it her way anymore
Because I can’t
Because even though our skin looks the same
I got some skin in the game
and I know things I didn’t know before
things I can’t label but I definitely believe
~
I might have overreacted
The article was written by a Black man
She doesn’t understand why that doesn’t apply
Since everyone is an individual
If you can pay your way out
or you are smart enough
You might be able to get better faster
But it is not her job to make me comply
~
I educated her again
But she would not look at my pain
Would not acknowledge she brought it up
Just a week after a local catastrophe
I’m still trying to catch my breath
In fact we’ve had a few lately
I get she has her own trauma
I don’t understand the self sabotage
~
I have been here before with her
this plateau before goodbye
Where you consider whether
to jump or not
Because I won’t be abused
I had hoped her mind
would catch up to her big heart
Maybe it will before I take off
In the dark is where the secrets sing their truths
Where intentions are authentic
Whether awake or in dreams
these revelations
if you can remember them
and stay focused
to represent them
You have the ability to change the frequency
To move the energy that keeps the record playing
While we dance together in this world
~
And who am I
to share with you what isn’t mine
Yet what you most deserve
But what we share
but can never carry or change
Such a beautiful sage and glorious ritual
has been established
by tradition and folly
And we may anoint with oil
and pray over it but never own
~
And I hold before you
an enchanted mirror
to show you what you have refused to see
And in your rage
you strike and shatter
the truth of ages and bring a curse of vanity
and hate and violence and shame
Because you will not repent
You have chosen
not to be redeemed
~
So we stand in front of
this cauldron
with fresh rosemary, lavender and mint
And we sing
the song of our ancestors
because it is natural
And we don’t know anything else to do
And we stir in the black pepper and basil
We work the craft of our people
knowing we want the inflammation to subside
I had an appointment today to see my hematologist. I had already rescheduled it once so even though everything hurt this morning and I still randomly cry, we went. I am a little frustrated with the fact that my body has plateaued at 95 lbs lost and won’t budge so it was also an excuse to make myself walk more.
I will be on Eliquis for the rest of my life because of complications from cancer. But Dr Dong said she was happy to see me looking better. It’s been a year. I have lost about 50 lbs since she saw me and also I had just had a heavy dose of radiation after fighting cancer for 3 years. My body, which rebels at any chance she gets and does not care what normal bodies do, completely freaked out and both my lungs had tons of blood clots in them, which was way worse than the first time and required surgery. So I can see how she would notice a huge difference in me today.
I was happy because I fit in a chair in the lobby that I didn’t fit in at the beginning of my cancer journey. I know this because Dr Dong and Dr Westhoff are in the same clinic at Legacy Salmon Creek. But also my dosage of Eliquis is now at maintenance level so that is a step in the right direction. June 18 is the anniversary of my one radiation treatment. I was supposed to have more but so many things happened and I said no more and then Dr Westhoff decided to order a PET scan and found that my cancer was gone.
Dr Dong asked if I was going to have surgery. I needed to lose weight to have the hysterectomy, but I now need to lose fat to be well. During stays in the hospital, where they do the tests that they do to see what they need to see, I found out I have fat on my heart and liver and so now that I have figured out how to lose it, I need to keep losing fat to be healthy and help my organs heal. I have decided I won’t have a hysterectomy unless cancer returns.
I will be telling Dr Westhoff at my appointment in a few weeks. If I have a hysterectomy, it could take a year for me to recover and, especially with where I carry my weight, this could be very hard on me and stop me from losing weight. So for now, I will keep doing what I am doing to be well and move as much as I can in a body that never stops hurting. I will deal with cancer if it comes around again.
Look for pretty things
But lately I have learned that my Spirit is powerful and connected in ways I never imagined and even though I have known for a long time that I absorb the emotions of others and I can generate change, I didn’t realize that the feeling of belonging I never felt, and always wanted, was blocked for some reason, because I do belong here and I love Cowlitz County. I love Kelso-Longview. And yes I see these two cities as one, but I don’t think that takes away from their individual experiences, because sisters can still hold hands and love each other but still be individuals, who abide together to share resources and a future.
Because today was the first time I left Cowlitz County since the disaster at Nippon, I was discombobulated. My twitching was pronounced, but maybe only to me. Karen G Clemenson keeps telling me things that I can’t remember much beyond what I need right now. I started to feel more normal when we stopped by to see Jamie Holloway after my doctor appointment, but she is home too. Although I distinctly missed home several times while we were away.
We didn’t take our normal exit when we came home because we wanted to get coffee at the Kelso Red Leaf Organic Coffee Co. so we could support the fundraising effort today. As soon as we hit Kelso my arms started hurting and it continued up and over my body. It was my skin. It burned slightly and was heavy. At first I sat with it, wondering if it would go away; maybe my body was having a moment. But it didn’t stop. As we got closer to where we were going, I started giving Karen directions because the traffic revisions, in that area, still throw her off. Finally I asked her if she felt it too and she said yes.
I have been home, in Longview, and even taken a nap. It still hurts. We still hurt. We are hurting. And, as someone who is chronic and has faced death and had to come back from it a few times, its gonna hurt for a while because healing takes time.
I love you. Be blessed.
~
~
Feel free to leave your comments below!
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Jesus Follower, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Jesus Follower…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
Now I Am Known by Peter Mutabazi
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