“Their Gratitude, Only They Could Know”

“Their Gratitude, Only They Could Know”

                                                        – Ramana

 

The ladies in their grass green saris

gather sheaves on the mountain

to feed their families, parched

in the dull heat of sun at high noon.

 

Backs bent in half to reach

each new stalk, their lips dry

and peeling, they move

in thin lines elegant

as a kingdom of ants,

yet they are not royalty.

 

Forbidden by caste

to drink of the one source

of water, they come to Rama

almost in tears, crying,

Swami! Swami! Give us one sup.

 

And God, who knows no difference,

dips a pail into his well and pours it

over each stooped spine

in a fountain of love

so cool, so divine,

they all gasp in delight.

 

Some mornings, He conjures

an elixir of water, ginger

and light and raises the cup

to each woman’s mouth

 

which they imbibe as if

it contained the one secret to life

– and it does:

 

a torrent of water dripping

down their delirious chins

and floating off each grateful finger.


 

 

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Dr. Amber Quaranta-Leech, LPC-S

Amber holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in both Texas and Oklahoma and holds Supervisor credential for Texas. Amber is an EMDRIA consultant and trainer. She has over a decade of experience in the trauma field in work with uniformed services, domestic violence, childhood trauma and abuse, and recent mass trauma events. Amber provides consultation for EMDRIA certification, for consultants-in-training, and supervision for LPC-Associates. Amber continues to research the benefits of EMDR therapy with a variety of populations. Her goal is to help build strong clinicians who are well versed in trauma interventions to better support their clients. Amber sees a limited number of clients with a focus on trauma work, she is also a Certified Career Counselor and Certified through EAGALA to provide equine-assisted therapy. 

Dr. Jose Carbajal, LCSW

Dr. Jose Carbajal, a U.S. Army veteran, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social work and a master’s in theological studies from Baylor University, and a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. With over 15 years of clinical experience and extensive teaching experience, Jose specializes in trauma, sexual abuse recovery, domestic violence, and substance abuse. His research focuses on trauma interventions, neuroscience, and faith. He is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, with numerous publications and professional presentations to his name.

Dr. Amanda Martin, LMFT-S, LPC, BCN

Amanda Martin holds a PhD in Family Therapy and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA Approved Consultant. With over 14 years of experience, she specializes in trauma therapy for individuals and families in residential and outpatient settings. Amanda also provides supervision for EMDR certification, EMDR consultants-in-training, and LMFT-Associates. Her mission is to help people find a healthy, joyful, and fulfilling path in life. Her warm, supportive, and interactive counseling style incorporates Symbolic Experiential Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, HeartMath, Animal-Assisted Therapy, Neurofeedback, and Collaborative Problem Solving.

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