Sonya Schryer Norris

Ego

Door bell rings on a Sunday afternoon at 4:30. Snakelady librarian answers doorbell in slippers and housecoat with stains on it. Hair is clean but unbrushed. Snakelady librarian is not feeling well. “Hello.” “Hello, I brought the candy you ordered,” a 5-year old looks up at me. “Thank you!” I say. “How is your sellingContinueContinue reading “Ego”

Religion 7: The End: Islam

Cover design of The Quran Originally uploaded by *Muhammad*. When I was 15 I was listening to a Cat Stevens album and I noticed that on the back of the jacket he had a letter to fans explaining why he had converted to Islam. My religious quest began its circle toward home. I looked inContinueContinue reading “Religion 7: The End: Islam”

Religion Part VI: Settling Down

I realize my search for God up to this point is easy to find humor in – I do so easily myself. But what I was looking for wasn’t trivial. I felt God very near to me, a presence that I could ignore no more than hunger or the need to sleep. That presence hadContinueContinue reading “Religion Part VI: Settling Down”

Religion Part V: Rastafarianism

Bob-Marley. He is amazing Originally uploaded by Dorky Pants. Once, while I was bemoaning my constantly changing nature, a good friend of mine comforted me. “You’re one of the most consistent people I know,” she said, “You head directly for rules and authority in everything you do.” Thanks, Amy! My next religious direction, at theContinueContinue reading “Religion Part V: Rastafarianism”

Religion Part IV: Methodists

By the time I was thirteen, Catholocism wasn’t as appealing as it had been pre-puberty. I felt disappointed in myself, suspicious that sacrifice was half of worship, but I knew that I was no longer destined to be a nun and sought an alternative. A neighborhood friend was a Methodist and that seemed as goodContinueContinue reading “Religion Part IV: Methodists”

Religion Part III: David and Bathsheba

My grandmother noticed my growing interest in religion around this time and bought me a King James Bible. Grandma suggested the stories of Saul and David in the books of Samuel. I dug in, enchanted by the language and the history. And I was appalled. David, King of Israel, was having an affair with aContinueContinue reading “Religion Part III: David and Bathsheba”

Religion Part II: Catholocism

Cross & Chair, Jdeideh, Lebanon Originally uploaded by Shannon Dagher. When I was 10 I began attending mass with a neighborhood family. I loved the church, both the physical structure and the ritual surrounding mass and communion. The orderliness. While my parents used philosophy to banish God from their lives, I felt the unarguable presenceContinueContinue reading “Religion Part II: Catholocism”