Articles written by Claudia Windal

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About me - Claudia Windal

I am a multi-professional woman: Episcopal priest, registered nurse (hospice), licensed mortician. As a Lakota native, I have opened a funeral home for our people who struggle with finances in most funeral homes and must sacrifice traditions and merchandise

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Sciences > Psychology If and why we fear death: 1 of 83
Despite the media that has brought us "stories from the other side" and tales of near death experiences, we still do not know with any certainty, what death will be like for us. I believe that we have all feared death sometime during our lives. Many of us believe that we have so much for which to live and we don't want to ima... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Spiritual Life Is suicide an unforgiveable sin?: 1 of 68
I don't believe that there are any unforgiveable sins. A dozen people might commit suicide and there may be at least 12 reasons, if not more, for their decisions. Unless we are able to read minds, we do not know if these suicides were sins or not and only God knows if any sins are forgiven. Trying to answer this question will... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Thoughts on God Where was God on 9/11?: 1 of 48
This is a futile question if we were expecting God to destroy Iraq or stop the devastation in the Twin Towers. God's presence was in New York on 9/11 as it was throughout creation on that day and at the time the planes were hijacked, flown into buildings and crashed to earth.I believe that my life is a gift from God repeated ... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues Why Christ died for us: 1 of 47
I have been a Christian since my baptism 4 weeks after my birth. My understanding of what it means to be a Christian has evolved over these past 59 years. Until two or three years ago, I would have been able to write an article that would not ruffle the feathers of most Christians. That is not the case today, yet I believe th... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Beliefs & Culture Is the Christian religion or a personal relationship with Christ more important?: 1 of 37
Developing a personal relationship with the Christ is the intended result of embracing the teachings of Christian religious traditions and expressions. Claiming to be a Christian without knowledge, belief and understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ is unfathomable. Christianity cannot exist without the living presence ... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Dr. Jack Kevorkian and the right to die debate: 1 of 21
Jack Kevorkian has certainly been a champion in the right to die debate. Much of the world has demonized him, accusing him of being a murderer and violating the sanctity of life. It's easy for us to sit on the sidelines with no emotional connection to those who have sought Dr. Kevorkian and his commitment to assist those who ... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: My greatest accomplishments: 10 of 162
I was the teenager who believed that I would never be admitted to college. How I came to that determination is a mystery since I was an honor student and was admitted to the National Honor Society my senior year.I entered a Roman Catholic religious community right out of high school and found myself attending college. There w... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Wanting to die and why: 1 of 16
Several months ago, the local newspaper ran an article about the work of the funeral home I own. Not long after the article appeared, I had a phone call from a gentleman in his 50's who was diagnosed with cancer and had made the decision to begin hospice care. He wanted to pre-arrange his funeral.George (not his real name)and... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Christian Doctrine & Issues A woman's role in the Church: 1 of 15
Although often unseen and not heard, women have been the strong foundations of most Christian parishes. Our mothers and grandmothers were the women who faithfully prepared and served meals following funerals, baked cookies for sales and celebrations, initiated prayer chains when there were illness or deaths in the parish. Wom... More..
Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Fear of death: 2 of 29
I live and work in the midst of death every day. As a hospice nurse, an Episcopal priest, and a licensed funeral director, I cannot opt out of talking about death and interacting with the dying and their family members and friends. Although I have yet to meet a large number of people who are anxious to die, I have visited wit... More..