The Beauty in Breaking

The Beauty in Breaking

Adult Memoir
Most of us, whether in person or on social media, curate our
lives carefully, editing out any areas of brokenness, of less than
perfection. We even hide them from ourselves. Dr. Michele Harper,
author of The Beauty in Breaking, considers this to be a big mistake.
She believes that brokenness and the ability to ponder on its meaning
can lead to greater strength.
Harper's early life was no bed of roses. Although her family
lived in a series of posh homes, behind closed doors there was no
safety or security. Her father was violently abusive to his wife. Her
older brother would jump in to protect his mom.
After college, medical school, and residency, Harper's final
graduation should have been a special moment. She was grieving
through it. She and her long term husband had just split up over
incompatible moves. She was about to start a new job in a new city
alone.
"...Living through such changes was difficult; now I see those
junctures, where everything I had counted on came to an abrupt end, as
a privelege. They gave me the opportunity to be uncertain. And in
that uncertainty grew opportunity."
As an emergency room physician in a still racist and sexist
medical system, Harper worked in a very fast paced, unpredictable
environment. Still she was able to gain deep insights from treating a
wide range of patients. In The Beauty in Breaking she candidly shares
those insights as well as those gleaned in her formative years.
Harper sees her narrative as one of metamorphasis. "...it is a
story of love rebuilt better; of a butterfly birthed from goo; the
story of newly grown wings that beat to a higher vibration to soar in
a place of unconditional love because the truest part of me has always
known and just now understands that this is where healing happens and
this is where healers abide."
On a purrrsonal note, today I was out in the world. Every year Maine
Day at University of Maine is a no classes day of service for students
and all others who wish to participate. My interfaith group did some
sprucing up at Wilson Center. It was so great working together
instead of being in different places gazing at our laptops. The
weather couldn't have been more purrrfect. (Jules)
Since it's national poetry month here is another haiku. This one is
called a cat's view of shedding season.
Look my silky fur
Adorns your best furniture
Just so purrrfectly! (Tobago)
A great big shout out goes out to my interfaith group. In a really
short time of zoom meetings we've managed to create an atmosphere of
safety, inclusion, and trust that lets us talk about complex and
difficult issues. We learn so much from each other.
Tobago and Jules Hathaway


Sent from my iPod