Tributes from Friends
October, 2003
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'.......So it has come to this, whatever this is, flicker and all.
I believe my font will change when the trumpet sounds,
And final revision must mean letter-perfect freedom.
There is surely a default we did not set ourselves.
I almost know how to write my name, as God knows it-
That mysterious scribble in His mind that lets me read Him.
I'm starting now to read His love aloud;
All my life I've written to that end......'

by Kathryn Lindskoog - from 'Light Showers' - 'Writing to that End' -
Submitted by Nan Murdoch to Wingfold, in Memory

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White page, the swans...for Kathryn....

Twenty-two

Against my fears, my doubts, my ignorance,
I trust in thee, O Father of my Lord!
The world went on in this same broken dance,
When, worn and mocked, he trusted and adored:
I too will trust, and gather my poor best
To face the truth-faced false. So in his nest
I shall awake at length, a little scarred and scored.

GMD (Diary of an Old Soul)

22

Riding the sacred Name, a leaf in flood -
(Each vein a rib of ark, I drown and float;
The benediction of the rainbow sign
Miraculous above a world of mud) -
Here in thy deep, beyond earth-nets, life-boat,
Dove/Holy Spirit and her branch-in-bud
Leads to the new dawn in thy day divine.

Betty K. Aberlin

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"When I chose a tree for Kathryn - part of my Wingfold tree family - I picked this one near the shore because it seemed to be reaching up so straight and strong and its tip catching the sunrise earlier than most of the shrubs and trees on the shore. I sensed that the great Sunrise was already lighting up for Kathryn and that she was strong and firm in welcoming it and growing as well as she could in the time of waiting."

Marilylle Soveran

 

 

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I always have thoughts of Kathryn in connection w/ a linden tree.

rain no longer required
sunlight unneeded
believe then that she lives only transplanted
(nay yet translated)
to grow in the Garden of Eden

Dinah Beachey

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I met Kathryn through Wingfold, and even though I never saw her in real life, I was very impressed by her energy, intelligence and warmth. Among other things, she was very open toward non-Christians; she just liked to talk about ideas, wherever she encountered them. She was also responsible for reuniting me with a good childhood friend that I hadn't been in touch with for many years - Robin Phillips. I think Kathryn was very pleased about the fact that even though she herself was bedridden, she was able to bring people in other parts of the world together. And indeed, she was remarkably good at it!

Today, I just regret that I didn't take the time to correspond with her more. But I am glad that I had the privilege of knowing her as much as I did. We will all miss her.

In loving remembrance,

Chimene

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When I emigrated to England in '97, I brought with me one of Kathryn's books which I had intended to read. My wife's parents, with whom we were staying at the time, saw the book, read it and then wrote to Kathryn. They hit it off immediately, and that is how I first got to know Kathryn.

At the time when I began corresponding with Kathryn I was struggling to come to terms with my abusive upbringing. I related to Kathryn the story of my unusual upbringing and was touched by the way in which she accepted the veracity of my account. The reason that meant a lot to me was because almost everyone else believed my story to be fabrication. Kathryn, however, had sufficient experience with the darker side of human nature to be able to accept the things I experienced at the hand of a well-respected Christian figure. Kathryn likewise shared some of her own stories with me and my wifeâs parents. For someone who had so much first hand experience of human evil, Kathrynâs approach to life was encouragingly optimistic.

Though Kathryn's physical suffering was acute, she rarely mentioned her condition, and when she did it was never to complain. If anyone had a right to complain, it was surely her. But she didnât. Now, whenever I catch myself complaining, I always think of Kathryn: her courage, her optimism, her passion for living. I think also of a message Kathryn once forwarded to her mailing list, in which were quoted the following words:

"Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life."

Even during the years when Kathryn was bed-ridden, the ripple effects of her life are difficult to measure. For example, Kathryn recommended a book that started my wife and me on a path of study that culminated in the realization that I required psycho-therapy. Something my psycho-therapist said was instrumental in my deciding to overcome my fear of driving. So now, whenever I drive, I have Kathryn to thank. Or again, Kathryn put me back in touch with Chimene Bateman, a childhood friend of mine with whom I had unfortunately lost contact. Chimene's family and my family have since become friends. In fact, it was Chimene's husband who encouraged me to study with the Open University. When I get my degree at the end of next year I will indirectly have Kathryn to thank.

These are just some (but not all) of the areas that Kathryn's life has affected mine. I know that I am just one among a myriad of others who have been equally touched by Kathryn's life. Thank you Kathryn.

Robin