Thursday's Child Has Far To Go

by Ms. Lou Umscheid

My childhood was probably not too different from many others. I grew up in a strict Catholic farming community in northeastern Kansas. The elementary and high school teachers were Benedictine nuns and the parish priest had been there so long, he was an institution. Catechism classes were especially trying for me, as I struggled to memorize and repeat the "approved" answers for many questions that were given in a booklet. That approach only made me ask more questions - about the Trinity, about faith, about the infallibility of the Pope, about the meaning of my dreams. Clearly, I was not their stellar student, and by the time I turned 22 (and moved away from home), I began to shop around at other churches. I felt guilty about doing it and occasionally I would slip back into the comfort of the Catholic Church, especially when visiting the family.

During my mid-20s, while living in Dallas, I listened to the late-night radio talk shows until the wee hours of the morning. It was thrilling to hear talk show hosts interviewing authors about their new books - about UFOs, health related topics, and how to make our world a better place in which to live. I was especially eager to buy books on all manner of self-help topics. I was unhappy with myself and my situation, and was determined to find out what I didn't know and to make my life better! So much to learn, so much to do.so little time. "Thursday's child has far to go."

My first marriage came in my late 20s. We had dated 4 years, married in July 1975, honeymooned for 3 months (driving & camping all over the U.S.), and then he died in December 1975. What a shock! And now, more questions without answers. I existed in a fog for the next couple of years - working days, crying nights, shopping - trying to fill the empty hole. I meandered, unable to focus. Someone finally gave me Elisabeth Kubler-Ross' book, On Death and Dying, and I found out I wasn't going crazy. I did need help, but by then, it was too late. Falling back on my self-help books, I managed to set a new goal - to put the $10,000 life insurance money toward going back to school for my masters degree. Learning and doing something to better myself were both very satisfying, and I felt that I was slowly recovering. I later learned from a life reading that I needed to "learn independence" - and that was the reason for my husband's early departure from this world. I learned the lesson well, but I still had "far to go."

Eventually, in my 30s, my religious quest led me to another church - this time Episcopalian. It had many similarities/familiarities to the Catholic Church, but was much more open and accepting. I actually could ask questions and get answers there. Immediately, I joined the Sunday school discussion group that was reading books like The Road Less Traveled and People of the Lie (M. Scott Peck, M.D.), How to Pray (author unknown), and Why Bad Things Happen to Good People (Rev. Harold S. Kushner). It was a challenge and a mind-opener to be talking with others about such meaningful topics. I'm taking baby steps..

I was in my late 30s when I met and married another wonderful guy. We never discussed our beliefs when dating (I was afraid to bring up the topic!) until one day he mentioned Edgar Cayce and the Thomas Sugrue book, There Is A River. He had already decided to attend a Search For God study group and asked me if I wanted to go along. I feared for his soul, so I did go along! The group had really nice folks, lots of Cayce language I wasn't familiar with (except the references to Jesus and the bible), meditation (how am I supposed to sit still for that long?), and dream interpretation (finally some answers). I was immediately drawn to this study! We became members of the Association for Research and Enlightenment in 1988. It quickly became my spiritual life to read/ study, attend/facilitate lectures, and to work with the disciplines. So many things became clear. More small steps..

For 15 years my husband and I have attended and/or hosted Search For God study groups in our home. The 2 small books we read are not big or impressive. They are, however, a challenge. Every time I open one of these books, I read something new or applicable to a current situation. Because our study group works on disciplines each week, we see growth in others with whom we study. We are assured that we are growing, too.

Recently, I was severed from my employer and "retired" after 14 years of service. I spent several months assessing my life and pondering what I wanted to do with the rest of it. My statement was "I've had two careers so far; I still have time for another." The inner work I was doing directly tied back to the "Ideal" work recommended in the Cayce readings. I realized I had lots of choices for my future (lucky me). But, what was the most meaningful choice? Again, I thought of "Thursday's child has far to go."

Over the prior 15 years, I had developed a keen interest in the health readings given by Edgar Cayce. Mr. Cayce was an advocate of a preventative lifestyle and early intervention, especially in the area of colon health, where he recommended an occasional "internal bath." I talked many times over the past 10 years of getting trained to be a colon hydrotherapist, but the timing never seemed to be right - hard to do when you're going to work every day! Now was the time to realize that dream. Now was the time to step out in faith. I trained at the Cayce/Reilly School in Virginia Beach, VA in November 2002.

When I was there, I picked a daily affirmation (an Edgar Cayce Reading) from the basket in the library. It seemed "meant" for me:

(Q) When will I enter into my true life's work?

(A) When there has been the decision in self as to the way, the manner in which self may apply self in the field in which it desires to expend self. As WE find, the body is already entering into what may be said to be its true life work. EC reading 594-1

Ms. Lou Umscheid recently opened an office in Chapel Hill, the Colon Health Center, using the methods recommended by Cayce and a new Dotolo machine. For more information about colon hydrotherapy, a brochure or an appointment, please call: (919) 960-9580. As she is learning, another step along the path.