A Summary of the Last Year
Looking back over the last hectic year, so much makes sense now. Here’s a synopsis of an awesome story of Providence.
Last August and September, atheists and homosexual activists attacked this blog. Just Google my name and the word “park”. One post about how I didn’t want my children exposed to homosexual public displays of affection, and 120,000+ hits, 900+ comments and two months later, things finally started to calm down, though I still get hate mail almost weekly. Our local newspaper even took a front page swipe.
Then in November, my husband lost his job. We don’t know if the two events are related, but we do know this: His dismissal was not performance related. The combination was an unnerving punch to our large family. We prayed and steeled ourselves, took some deep breaths and trusted God. (OK, we had a few meltdowns too.)
Later that month, I had a dream I’ll never forget, and even wrote about it.
Even though it was a lake, I was in the smoothest water imaginable swimming out to the middle, a little scared to be alone, but loving the feel of the water. I flipped over on my back, the water rushing up around my ears in overwhelming silence, and I looked straight up at the stars, so perfect I could get lost in them and almost believe it actually was Heaven. Then a hungry baby woke me…
I’ve long been afraid of the water as a result of some anxiety issues as an adult, but deep down I longed for my children to have the care-free childhood roaming outside barefoot in nature like I had. Occasionally, I would dream of those memories and how I once loved the water, resigned that I’d probably never know that feeling again.
In December, much to our relief, my husband was offered the dream job of his life, in many ways a culmination of all he’s worked for. Though he’s well-connected, he found it quite by chance, a LinkedIn opening he just happened to notice. He’d have never been looking if he hadn’t needed to. There was a catch though. We had to move across state lines, and we had to be separate for an indefinite amount of time. He started working in January in New York, while I stayed home with six children alone in Massachusetts. ‘Twas not easy (numerous more meltdowns ensued).
By the grace of God, we found a way to move and be together six months later. How? We fell in love with a remote house, a remodeled hunting lodge, we could afford right away. My husband narrowed down a list of four properties for me to see on a house-hunting trip in March. He showed me some grand monuments to human engineering and design to be sure, but there was only one home that caught my heart. It left me breathless. If anyone had told me a year ago that I’d want to move out of our Boston suburb into a 100 year-old hunting lodge in the mountains, I’d have reeled in shock. Me, the meticulous housewife, getting all dirty cleaning cobwebs, chasing frogs in the mud, lighting fires for hot dog roasts, stomping through woods in search of treasures, and, gasp, getting all wet playing in the rain with abandon?
But — who can argue with the majesty of God’s handiwork?
In April my husband bought me a lake.
In June, we finally moved and were together again, in paradise.
OK, we got some new toys too.
And my writing online? Well, that’s evolved too. Just as I was wondering where this was all going, I got an opportunity I couldn’t resist and just recently accepted a role at Catholic Lane as Senior Editor, along with some really great people quite successful at online evangelization. I am still Chief Editor at Ignitum Today, and since wild horses couldn’t keep me away from that wonderful project with young adults, I’ve decided to do both roles. I might even take on more. I’m learning I’m good at this. I love interacting with the digital world from my little tucked-away spot in nature.
I have also decided to homeschool our younger children this Fall (who wouldn’t in a place like this?), and continue my own education toward a distance learning Master of Arts in Theology, one course at a time. I am in no rush.
So, this blog will still run the weekly 400 word “Accepting Abundance” column being published at the Catholic Free Press and essays on the things I’m learning in school, but I will not be updating it as often as I did before the move. This space has become a place to explore ideas and get to know people interested in the things I’m interested in, and I hope the discussions will continue. You are welcome here whether you are Catholic or not, I have learned a lot from those who comment. You help me to think things through.
Last, if any readers are interested in working with me to write and publish pieces in your field of interest in the Catholic online community, contact me and let me know what you are thinking. We take submissions at Ignitum Today and Catholic Lane, and I’d enjoy helping you work something up and get it published.
You might be surprised where it leads.
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Sites That Link to this Post
- Pregnant at 43 – Tautologies Fulfilled! : Accepting Abundance | September 20, 2012
- The Story of Our Dog : Accepting Abundance | February 13, 2013
- The Story of Our Dog : Stacy Trasancos | March 24, 2013
- New Website: I Have Accepted Abundance Now : Accepting Abundance | April 3, 2013
Comment
I’ll take you up on that! I don’t know why, but the timing is right for me, and my gut tells me go for it. God bless you on this new journey!
Haha Julie, go for it! Use the email form in the footer or sidebar and send me your thoughts.
Hello Stacy! I’m catholic and I live in Colombia, S.A., I lived in the U.S. for the last 5 years.” I would like to write for you and your magazine! Right now I’m trying to convert my separate husband to the Catholicism through my prayers while I am here and he is in Luisiana. I need help I need prayers and I need the perfect words when I talk with him!
Anonymous, send me an email at stacytrasancos@msn.com.
Enjoy the abundance in each season of your life and keep up the writing.
Thanks Howard.
Reading this is absolute bliss, pure and simple.
After reading this I thought of a quote – God does not give you more than you can handle. You have a wonderful place to homeschool with a nature lab right outside your door and no distracting outside lights to interfer with star gazing, and most likely a host of earthly creatures to sing to you at night.
Will continue to look forward to your posts and keep my eye on the other two blogs, and might even send you something in the future to look at – all depending on how I’m moved.
Good advice to remember that quote when things seem overwhelming, Richard. I hope you visit the other sites a lot. I won’t be writing, but I’m having fun learning how to manage content and, the best part, encourage other writers.
God is so good!! I do know how hard it is to have a husband out of work, mine has gone through that and it was very stressful and at times even scary, but once I put that fear and stress at the foot of the cross, the burden was lifted and God took care of us and found work for my husband and has continued to find him work (he is self employed) each time that feeling of fear or worry tries to take over, I just give it up to God and the phone literally rings and hubby picks up another job… God is So Good!!
I just recently found your blog, my heart hurts that you were attacked for your beliefs, I’m finding that in my own life just with extended family members who share different beliefs, it can be a tricky situation, standing up for my faith and beliefs without turning family members away.. again, I’m giving it to God and asking him to lead me as he wishes.
You have a beautiful blog and a beautiful family… Blessings to you!!
Tracy,
Sounds like you’ve been through a lot too. Thank you for what you said, yes I find it is hard to learn how to stand up for your faith without putting people on the defensive. It’s a skill I think, one I’m still working on.
The Lord bless you, Stacy. I will be praying for you. Keep on with your blog and your writing. Your story reminds me of a dear friend I met while attending church in Waco, TX. Her life was a mess and she had no trust of men at all. The Lord brought me into her life to be a friend and to help her. My being a friend with no expectations of anything from her helped her to heal and now she is happily married to a man she loves deeply. I can understand some of the pain you went through because I was a witness to the pain she experienced. I am glad God has brought you to where you are now. Those who attack you do so because they would attack Jesus if they could. The cannot get to Him, so they attack those of us who believe and trust in Him. Jesus said that this would happen when we follow Him. I want to encourage you and confirm to you that you are doing what is right and I will be praying that God will give you the support you need to keep on going in spite of those who are against you. It is ironic that the gays and atheists who attack you want to limit your freedom to speak and write about the practical practice of your faith, but they want unlimited freedom to say and write what they want, and they are blind to the contradiction. The Lord be with you and I will be following your blog and your writing for the Catholic publications. Ken Strong
Thank you Ken, I hope you will let me know if something I write is not clear or needs improvement. One reason I keep this blog going is so I can explore ideas that people bring up. It’s a little alcove of learning and thinking for me, and hopefully for others who comment.
Thank you so much for your prayers.
OK. So I was out watching the heat lightning just North and to the the East from where I live. And I was thinking to myself that I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so intense and fast as it was right now. The tree frogs, bullfrogs and cicadas were all screaming at each other. Little bugs were being targeted and devoured by bats and bats were being stalked by cats.
Occasionally an exhaust brake can be heard as a truck driver is surprised by the traffic light that marks the Western boundary of civilization in the out lying areas of Atlanta. Eastern and Southern bound flights into Hartsfield skirted thunderheads. I was the only one out looking and listening. Everyone else in my cozy little cul de sac was inside their houses living the lifestyles of early 21st century Americans oblivious to almost everything past the confines of their front doors.
It’s sad really, the society we live in or the hole that we have dug ourselves into if you will, considers nature to be nothing but mere background noise to be ignored so we can focus one whats really important like like TMZ. I thought about how ancient people watched natural phenomenon taking place before them. How it frightened and awed them. How it spawned myths and formed religions and shaped the world in human perspectives. How science and discoveries eroded superstitions and uncovered new mysteries, constantly eroding the old and uncovering the new for those who seek it.
It occurred to me that the “How” and “Why” to “Everything” is possibly privileged information. Maybe that is for the best for once someone knows “how, Why and Everything” what’s left?
Enjoy your little slice of paradise Stacy!
Thanks Andrew, you always have 1) captivating writing, and 2) thought-provoking comments. Totally agree about being disconnected with nature, I wonder now why it took me so long to reconnect. We can see ALL the stars here. It’s amazing.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to reflect on the past more and more. I recently lost my father, so I’ve been playing back the past year in my head, in particular. It is amazing how incredibly short a year can be, yet be so jam-packed with triumphs, failures, love, heartbreak, tribulations, discontent and peace.
You have been through a lot, but you have persevered to see the fruit of your labor. Your new home looks utterly amazing. Enjoy this next chapter in your life.
Chris,
I’m sorry about your father. You are so right, a year can bring so much change. Hey, if you’re ever in New York (upstate), let me know. We have guest rooms! (Serious!)
Thanks. It’s been rough, but I’ve been making it day by day. I may have to take you up on that offer…the beauty of the nature around you is astounding.
Wow! What a year! I’m very happy to get to know you and feel blessed to work with you
I look forward to working with you and getting to know you better, Patrice.
I just recently started reading this blog and I have enjoyed it greatly. Each time I read your new posts, I am reminded that faith is all you need and with God all things are possible. Thanks for sharing your faith with us.
Thank you Pilar, I appreciate that. I hope you keep visiting. God is so good!
“Last August and September, atheists and homosexual activists attacked this blog. Just Google search my name. One post about how I didn’t want my children exposed to homosexual public displays of affection, and 120,000+ hits, 900+ comments and two months later, things finally started to calm down, though I still get hate mail almost weekly.”
Do you understand why people were mad about that? Because I get a vibe that you still don’t get why they got so angry.
No disrespect, Ms. Trasancos, but your post said a lot more than “not wanting your children exposed to homosexual public displays of affection.”
To quote you directly:
“I can’t even go to normal places without having to sit silently and tolerate immorality. We all know what would happen if I asked two men or two women to stop displaying, right in front of me and my children, that they live in sodomy.”
Oh, yeah, that’s not offensive at all. Because being harshly judged by somebody who doesn’t even know me NEVER gets me angry!
It is a fact that you are always going to meet people whose moral outlook does not align with yours, and they are not required to. Your expectation that they shouldn’t be there just because they’re different than you is no more valid than somebody else’s expectation that you shouldn’t be there because you’re different than them. There is nothing that makes you or your family more special than families with same-sex parents, so we’d appreciate it if you’d stop acting like some sort of martyr or pillar of morality or whatever. We’re all human, and we’re all equally human. We deserve to be treated like humans. Which is why I think it’s absolutely horrible that people were threatening you and your children after you made that post, and treating you like sub-humans. But I’m beginning to digress just a bit.
At one point in the post, you said that your daughters were too young to understand how a child could have two mothers, and I think you are greatly underestimating their abilities of comprehension, because I understood this concept by the age of three. Perhaps you’re subconsciously projecting your own discomfort with gay people onto your children.
For the record, I’m not an atheist or a homosexual. I’m part-Christian, and I pray often, in fact. I’m not even a left-wing nut, I swear on my life.
I’m just a person trying to explain something to you. I don’t expect you to change your mind after I post this, but I’m just trying to get you to understand a little bit, and try to sympathize.
Also, I understand why you wouldn’t want to talk to your children about sexuality at such a young age. It’s like how you wouldn’t talk to them about sexual intercourse yet. I get that. One simple way to explain it is that sometimes a boy and a girl fall in love, but other times two boys fall in love or two girls fall in love. Very simple, non-sexual explanation, that I find works with most children.
I’m sorry if this comes off hostile or condescending. I’m just kind of a generally cynical and sarcastic person.
I’m really not trying to hate on you.
AnonyMiss,
Do you understand why people were upset about that? Because I get a vibe that you don’t get why they got so upset by the reaction of the homosexual activist community.
No disrespect, AnonyMiss, but your comment said a lot more than “I don’t want to judge you.”
To quote you directly:
“At one point in the post, you said that your daughters were too young to understand how a child could have two mothers, and I think you are greatly underestimating their abilities of comprehension, because I understood this concept by the age of three. Perhaps you’re subconsciously projecting your own discomfort with gay people onto your children.”
Oh, yeah, that’s not judgmental at all. Because being harshly judged by somebody who doesn’t even know me NEVER gets me angry! [Well, really it doesn't though, why would it???]
It is a fact that you are always going to meet people whose moral outlook does not align with yours, and they are not required to. Your expectation that they shouldn’t say anything just because they’re different than you is no more valid than somebody else’s expectation that you shouldn’t say anything because you’re different than them.
There is nothing that gives you or your family authority over practicing Catholic families, so we’d appreciate it if you’d stop acting like some sort of boss of morality or whatever. We’re all human, and we’re all equally human. We deserve to be treated like humans. Which is why I think it’s absolutely acceptable for people to tolerate each other, but tolerance doesn’t mean coerced acceptance to the point of teaching your children someone else’s values (or voting according to someone else’s values). We are people, not animals. But I’m beginning to digress just a bit.
At one point in the comment, you said I am greatly underestimating the ability of my daughters to comprehend something you think I should impose on them just because you thought you understood sexuality at age three (what?). Perhaps you’re subconsciously projecting your own discomfort with being introduced to sexual identities at such an early age onto me and my family.
For the record, I do not hate homosexuals. I’m 100%-Christian, and I pray all the time for help and guidance, in fact. I’m not even a wing nut, I tell you.
I’m just a person trying to explain something to you. I don’t expect you to change your mind after I comment back, but I’m just trying to get you to understand a little bit, and try to sympathize.
Also, I understand why you want me to talk to my children about sexuality at such a young age even though you say you get that they are too young for sexual intercourse. You want to impose your beliefs on them, through me. So here’s an idea? Why don’t you let me and my husband decide when and how we will tell them about “sex” because to us being in love is far, far more than having “sex” (animals can do that!). I find that with my children, confusion about love being equated with sex is very, very, very damaging to them and their eternal futures.
I’m sorry if this comes off snarky. I’m just kind of a generally snarky person.
I’m really not trying to hate on you.
This comment is kind of all over the place, just a heads up.
First of all, nice logical substitution. I have no problem with snarkiness; I would be a hypocrite if I did. But now that I think about it, things that I said were hypocritical, because I stated I was against judging people and I was judging you. I didn’t think I was being too harsh, but looking at it from your perspective, I sure was. Like I said, I’m cynical.
It was awfully presumptuous of me to assume that you’re projecting anything on your kids, and for that, I sincerely apologize.
At what point was I equating love with sex? My wording must’ve been a little off, because that wasn’t what I meant. I meant if your kids were to ask, for example, why two men were holding hands, a very simple explanation is that sometimes two men can fall in love. Being in love is far more than just sex, we can agree on that.
I guess I’m misinterpreting exactly what you were upset about. You don’t like the sex aspect in front of your young kids. Which makes perfect sense.
When I said I understood a child having two mothers at age three, what I meant was that at that point in time, I knew that some kids had two moms, or two dads. It’s really not that complicated to a kid, because kids don’t think about the sex. I obviously didn’t know what sex or sexuality was until I was much older than three.
It wasn’t like you witnessed a public sex act or something similarly inappropriate. They weren’t even kissing. It was just hugging and rubbing elbows, which I see as expressions of those couples’ love for each other. You hug your husband, don’t you?
I’m not imposing my beliefs on your kids through you, or at least that’s not what I’m trying to do. I never said “YOU MUST TELL YOUR KIDS THIS OR YOU’RE A BAD PARENT.” I said that you COULD tell them that, because I figured saying it that way would answer their questions and make you feel more comfortable. I repeat: YOU DON’T NEED TO IMPOSE ANYTHING ON YOUR CHILDREN. But if your kids ask, what are you supposed to say? I was trying to think of something easy to say, that they would get, without you feeling like you said too much. That’s all. Feel free to totally ignore me and tell them some other thing or completely avoid the subject, your choice.
Since you live in America, you have first amendment rights. I may not agree with what you said, but I would not deny you the right to say it. I was trying to explain to you why you got backlash for saying it. Free speech is not free of consequences. Freedom goes both ways, and this correspondence (if this can even be called a correspondence) is evidence of that. So that’s another thing, when you said, “Is this freedom?” at the end of the original post: yes, actually, it is.
You are welcome Stacy.
I think the biggest reason of our disconnection from nature is that the disconnection in itself is a survival mechanism from nature. Imagine an early human sitting on a plain somewhere contemplating why he or she is there. Next thing you know that that deep thinker is now food for some absolutely adorable saber tooth kittens. Time to go inside.
On this savagely beautiful planet we live on most people think of survival as a trip to the grocery store and forget that we are still on the menu for bears, sharks, army ants, microbes, etc. Hence a certain type of disconnection from nature.
So, is God good? I disagree. At best I would say god is god, whatever god maybe. Since the most I have to worry about are customers sneaking up on me, that and doing my job I’ll ponder it for a while more
Anony-Miss,
I figured you could handle a little snark.
I’ve discussed this exhaustively, so to save you from sorting through the 2,000-something comments on three threads, I’ll briefly explain again.
I don’t mind if you are cynical, and I don’t think you’re being a hypocrite. I just want you to realize that people judge people all the time, and whether it’s right or wrong depends on a lot of other things. Am I condemning your choice of shoes out of cruelty? That’s wrong. Am I telling you that you are doing something wrong out of concern for your good and the greater good? That’s justified.
I get that you are not just picking on me. Apology accepted, but you didn’t owe me one. Thank you though. That’s a sign of strong character.
“I meant if your kids were to ask, for example, why two men were holding hands, a very simple explanation is that sometimes two men can fall in love.”
In the long run, that is not a simple explanation. We tell them that the men are friends, and if the men do more than that we tell them the men are being silly. To tell little children that “marital love” means anything you want it to mean, only sets them up for failed relationships as adults.
“When I said I understood a child having two mothers at age three, what I meant was that at that point in time, I knew that some kids had two moms, or two dads.”
OK, but later when you did understand what intercourse was, how did you make sense of some kid having two moms? Two women can’t make a baby.
“It was just hugging and rubbing elbows,…”
If my kids see two men or two women being friendly, that’s no big deal. If the same-sex couples are showing affection that goes beyond being friendly, that’s inappropriate. They are acting married, but they aren’t.
Here’s what I mean about freedom.
If “gay rights” activists (I make a distinction between them and calm, respectful people like you) would stop demanding everybody accept them (tolerance isn’t enough for they, they WANT to impose), people like me wouldn’t fight back.
They want to push it on our kids.
They want to harm us if we don’t accept what they call marriage.
They want to intimidate us to believe as they do.
That is not freedom.
Comment
Oh my goodness! You are in the Adirondacks! My husband is from there and he misses it so much. (We’re 15 hours South). I’ve been praying for you and can’t believe God handed you the sweet life. Drink in every bit of yummyness this Fall and enjoy homeschooling too!
Thank you Abigail. I NEVER KNEW what the Adirondacks were like, oh, it is so beautiful. I’m a Texas girl, but this could definitely be home. Thank you so much for your prayers, it is so touching to know people pray for you.
Please say a little prayer for homeschooling because I’m scared I have bitten off more than I can chew. Haha!
Stacy,
What a year you’ve had! I am so happy for you and your family. I love swimming in lakes and rivers! Your kids will have a blast.
You are a gift to the Church and it is so fortunate for the Church that God is calling people like you into the fold to reinvigorate it.
God bless you and your family.
Regards,
Frank Gibbons
Thank you Frank! That means a lot, to God all glory. The title of this blog never seemed so appropriate! Blessings to you!
So happy for you. Yes, God talks to us in dreams for sure. What a beautiful place for you and your family. God has blessed you indeed.
Wonderful news! I’m so happy for you … and perhaps just a wee bit envious. :^)=)
There have been a few times in my life where I’ve been able to get away from the city on a clear night, away from light pollution, and spend large chunks of time just staring out into the universe. It’s such an amazing, humbling and yet enthralling experience that it brings home to me the old hymn “How Great Thou Art”.
I agree that we need to reconnect with nature, at least episodically, to stay grounded and humble. More than that the deponent saith not … except in a future blog post?