MY MOTHER: MRS. ELAINE CLARK
It has been a few decades since I lived with her, but Mom, as a single parent, had a great influence on my life. While in I was in high school, she and I spent countless evenings discussing any thing and every thing. (We most often held these discussion on those nights that it was my turn to do the daily dishes, me with my hands in the dish water, and her sitting at the kitchen table so that she could hold up her end of the discussion.) She read the books that I read, just to keep up with me. She challenged my assumptions, forcing me to think things through and to defend my position. She, more than any other person taught me to think, to be critical and to be thorough. While Mom might not agree with everything I have to say in this booklet, I think that she will be proud of the fact that it reflects well on her efforts when I was in high school.
Also,
DR. MARGARET DOANE
Margaret, in her nineties, is just as active, as spry and as engaged in life as many women half her age. She is this in spite of a mild stroke. Perhaps this is because of her specialty, religious movement, or dance in worship. When she saw my early efforts on this topic, Margaret encouraged me to work toward getting something done in printed format as well as on the web. She saw the importance of working in both medium, knowing that the web was the future, but print ruled for the time being. She has spent hours of her time, going over my manuscript and making editorial suggestions. (Her suggestions were very good, with an understanding of the reader and how my words would affect him or her.) I have taken most of these suggestions. While the ideas in this booklet are mine, Margaret's stamp is indelibly on this work. I could not have completed it without her help.
I lost my father at an early age and consequently have a hard time relating to God as my heavenly father. When I finally confessed this to God, sought and received permission to address God as my Heavenly Mother, my spiritual life took off. I guess that it is only fitting that my Heavenly Mother work through these two women who became my mentors in this project. That is why I dedicate this effort to them.