Episode #22: Overcoming Trauma #22: Kara

Jan,28 2026

<-#21: Overcoming Trauma #21: Thursday#23: Overcoming Trauma #23: Calming down ->

Fridays are always a little rougher in the trauma room... but I was sent into the ER.

Why? I don't know. I was still called into the trauma room three times for particularly gruesome cases, two car accidents and a police shooting, but otherwise had to deal with boring cases.

The majority of the triage work shows that only the doctor needs to consult the patient. This leaves the ER nurses with the bandages, sutures, and tetanus vaccination while the doctors handle the more interesting cases. We do assist the doctors and prepare the patient, but still. It's not as hands-on at the trauma room.

Often, we don't even do plasters anymore, as the orthopedists prefer to handle that themselves. More money to charge for the hospital anyway.

It's not that I am ungrateful. I have a theory why I am being rotated, and the fact that I am rotated only sporadically means that I am doing an impressive job in trauma.

But they can't count on me not going into burnout, like so many of my colleagues. That's the problem. Trauma work is depressing, and most people aren't cut out to deal with it every day.

Me? After the way I was raised? It's not easy work, but it's soothing. I am making a difference.

I ate with Martina, and only with her. Wendy was nowhere around.

She wanted to know what I thought about Christian Naturism.

"I might go Sunday, if only to accompany my daughter, who is curious, but I don't know. I feel like I am missing so much"

"Talk to Kara!"

"Huh?"

"Kara is so good with this. Why don't we go see her tonight? Just the three of us. Maybe our husbands can take your kids to the pool, and we can speak with Kara. She would love that, and tonight will be so warm"

"I don't know"

"I will pay your admission fee. For your whole family. It's the least I can do", she says.

"Martina, I don't need your money"

"No, this isn't about money", she said.

"It's not?"

"It's about hospitality. I want to invite you to speak to my mentor. You can help me get closer to her vision, to give me strength to believe"

I look at her.

I feel like this isn't her trying to convert me. This is her, trying to convert herself by latching herself to me.

To be honest, it scares me, but despite trying to get her to see it differently, it didn't work.

This is what scares me, and yet, the way I saw religious fervor in my mother was always in an imposing fashion. Always in a preaching manner.

Martina was seeking an ally to get permission to get closer to her self-nominated mentor and saw herself as unworthy to ask Kara for guidance.

It was so clear... and the worst is, I could see no problem with this trade-off, because going alone to see this possibly extremist woman wasn't something I could volunteer to do.

But helping my new friend? That was well within my wheelhouse.

As soon as I got home, I began a round of laundry. Yes, I have to do laundry. We all get dressed each day of the week to go to our respective day occupations, work or school. Not counting the towels to sit!

We will eat at home. That is not negotiable for me. I have food planned for tonight, and I can't just let us constantly spend money at that restaurant.

I would prefer to make more food and cook in Kelly's or Kara's house while we were at that place and feed the host family just so we don't waste money on the restaurant. But I don't know them enough yet.

The washer is going, my kids aren't home yet, and I have a better idea.

I search and find the phone number for the resort. A man answers.

"Phil?" I ask, recognizing his voice.

"Speaking. What can I do for you?"

"This is Elena Kinsey. I visited last weekend and booked cabin 28 with Nadia and Patrick"

"Yes! I remember you. What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering, do you have a cabin with a small kitchen in it? With a full fridge, perhaps, and a small oven and a microwave?"

"We do, in our premium cabins. We even have some with two bedrooms. I think you have kids, right?"

"Two, 11, and 9. How much for a night and for the weekend?"

"Ah, that is the big question. Ok, so you live in town, right?"

"We do"

"We have 3 levels of yearly membership"

"Wait, can't I just rent a cabin?"

"I am getting there."

"Well, if I am not a member, how much is a two-bedroom premium cabin?"

"$320"

"Per weekend?", I say, shocked.

"No, per night, but it does include admission for the day before and after"

"Aye, aye. Aye"

"Which is why I wanted to talk memberships"

"Right, Clark can rent with a 50% rebate"

"Indeed, they have a silver membership. If you get one, it's $160 per night or $260 for the weekend"

"Ok, still expensive. And a one-bedroom, but two beds? Or better, one common room?"

"We don't have kitchens in the common room cabins. Fridges make noise, you see?"

"Ok, fair enough. How much?"

"$240 per night, and for the silver rebate, it's $120, and well, $180 for the whole weekend"

I think. Factoring in what we save in food, it's not quite worth it.

"It's still more than I hoped. Darn."

"I have another option", he says.

"Oh?"

"We have a few campers. Basically, the kind you would pull with your car or pickup, but they are permanently here. They have a small kitchen, a mini-fridge, a restroom, a small bedroom for the parents, and the kitchen table turns into a bed."

"Ok, and the cost?"

"Well, it varies, but we have a few in the $120 to $140 range"

"Which silver can reduce to $60 to $70"

"Yes, roughly $110 for the weekend."

A single meal paid to their restaurant is more than the night rental. This is doable and in our entertainment budget.

"Ok, those are prices I can live with. But Silver had a limited number of rebates?"

"Three per summer. Bronze has 1, and Gold has, well, technically unlimited, but you can only reserve 6, but Silver and Gold have unlimited visits."

"And bronze?"

"50% off every visit"

"Let me guess, the price rises steeply?"

"You guessed correctly. For a family of 4, an annual bronze membership is $400, but you would pay $160 because it's September, you know? The year is almost over"

"And Silver?"

"Yeah, that's the first steep step. The price is $1800, but for now, it's $720"

I had expected a membership pitch. I hadn't expected how quickly the math would make sense.

"And gold even higher? Ok. Let's focus on silver. So, if I pay $830, my family can have a camper for this weekend, and 2 other weekends this year for the same price and free admission all the time"

"Exactly"

I think. "Are you the manager?"

"Oh, oh. I fear where this is going. Yes, I am. These aren't really up for negotiation", he says.

"No, I get that. I paid $30 for my family to come last weekend and wasn't offered the silver membership. Could you simply deduct that from the $720 so I pay $800 flat?"

He sighs.

"Sorry", I say.

"No, ok, let's say $815 for both."

I laugh. "You drive a hard bargain. How much are the golf fees?"

"Oh, it's included for members."

"My husband wasn't a member, even though I played for free"

"You had members with you"

"Interesting. Now that might make it worth it"

"And you get free towel rental...", he adds.

I laugh. He remembered.

"I'll talk to my husband and call you back"

"I finish at 5, but I will leave a note for my replacement"

"We might come tonight. Do you have a camper for the weekend?"

"At this period of the year? Always. Well, almost always"

"Ok, thank you Phil"

My kids came soon after and volunteered hugs. Kyle was dead from a long exam, but neither of them had any homework. So he just progressed on Captain Toad.

Sarah called Cassie, and I was left in the kitchen, planning both the supper and the meals we would eat on location.

I found our cooler and filled freezer Ziplocks with ice from our fridge so that the ice maker would make more ice until my husband arrived.

I also filled a bag with cardboard plates, plastic utensils, and also pots and pans I would need, not forgetting an apron and some oven mitts.

Without forgetting a can opener, I filled a bag with tuna, canned vegetables, pasta, pasta sauce in a can, and sliced bread.

I prepared a huge batch of pork chops for supper. I buy them frozen, so I normally only cook what I need, but now, I can have easy leftovers.

Perhaps arranged differently? I am slowly planning and decide to make rice tonight, as we have a rice cooker, but it's only when cooking that I realize that we have an Instant Pot that we could bring, with a rice cooker, to a normal cabin.

Oh well. Perhaps another time with better planning.

John arrives and instantly spots the mess. He undressed with question marks on his face as I told him I would explain out of our children's earshot. I didn't say that; I used our code for "let's talk alone"

I explained, and to my utter surprise, he seconded my plan, provided the children agreed. The free golf was what he needed to be convinced.

"I think this is the time to see how deep we want to live this lifestyle, Elena. Becoming members is a further commitment, and I think I need commitment to help with my healing, and you do too"

I look at him. "Sure".

Of course the kids were thrilled. Cassie would be there at some point, but Candace and Jimmy too, as well as Ginny.

But did I want this?

The problem is more complex than it seems at first glance. Do I want to spend the weekend at a naturist resort? Not really. But do I want to meet Kara with Martina while saving money for Martina? Absolutely. Do I want John to golf more and not feel guilty about the costs? Definitely.

The meal was loved by everyone, and all of them helped me with last-minute preparations.

Including offering opinions about breakfast and us bringing old plastic bowls for eating them.

We made it quickly, and somehow, I ended up paying for the membership and the camper while John followed the kids to the pool, leaving me with the food supplies.

I cannot blame him. By coming here, we lit a fuse in our kids, and patience for a membership sign-in is not in the skills of an 11- or a 9-year-old.

Martina and Luis, however, arrived as I was signing in, also as nude as I was, undressing by her car like we did.

"But I wanted to pay", she said, disappointed. "We actually became silver members"

This brought a joy to her face, but then, she saw our cooler.

"We rented a camper for the weekend"

"This... is wonderful! I am so happy for you", she said, almost crying.

I was almost done, but she could pay as I was filling in the forms.

Luis helped me with my supplies in that he carried them all while Martina explained how every penny they save goes to a fund for the supplies to build a house at the resort.

"You really want to move in here?" I asked of her.

"More than anything in my life. Choice without shame", she said, smiling.

We joined my husband and got the kids out of the pool. He hadn't gone; he knew it was only while waiting.

Martina and Luis followed us to the camper, but John took his share of our supplies.

The kids soon explored the camper while Martina and I filled the fridge. It wasn't big enough. Damn it.

"Kara has extra refrigerator space; we are going to meet her; she will most likely help you"

"You think so?"

"She lives to serve"

I explain to John and the kids that Martina and I have a meeting, but when the kids ask to go to the lake, Luis is even more excited than John.

I soon find myself in the living room of the enigmatic Kara. Her husband left with his son for a bike ride around the resort, while her twin daughters were working on a field apparently.

"Martina tells me that you would like to know more about our faith"

"Well, I am told it's Christian Naturism, so just a denomination, not a sect..."

She laughs. "Sect is a serious accusation that speaks of manipulation, isolation, and financial abuse. I assure you that the Southern Christian Naturism Church is a serious denomination. I know it used to be rather lax, but recently, it began enforcing serious codes of conduct"

"Good", I say.

She smiles. "It is good. Some people take the scripture too lightly"

"I am trying to learn", says Martina

"You are. And your progress is remarkable", says Kara.

"You were right; Clara is more interesting than I initially thought," says Martina.

"For me, nudity is not a convenience of warm days but a covenant. I have lived without clothes since girlhood... I cannot exchange that for railway tickets or hotel linens.", Kara cites.

I wonder where that is from.

"Oh, that passage really shows her devotion. But it's the part from Letter Three, about her freedom..."

"Ah, yes. "My freedom has always been the freedom to remain as God made me." I think that this is my favorite quote of the whole book. I know she is often dismissed, but Clara shows a wisdom in her letters that is rarely seen."

I decide to speak up.

"Pardon my ignorance, but who is Clara?"

"Right. You are new to this.", says Kara. "Ok, let me explain a little. Back in the late 1800s, we aren't sure of the years of each chapter, but the first is from 1887 and the last from 1902. A man in a rural area of the Midwest noticed that one of the farmers, well, worked in the nude. He approached him to know why, and they formed a friendship"

"An early nudist?" I asked.

"Well, yes, but more like a late prophet or mystic"

"Ok", I say, nervous.

"The man was named Christopher. We do not know his last name. His words were written by his new friend in a sort of new book of the Bible, but modern. It doesn't replace the Bible, more like an additional disciple chapter, but in a more recent time"

I look at her. "And this isn't a sect"

"Oh no. Not like the Mormons or anything. Christopher never founded a new religion; he just had his own wisdom, which we agree with"

Martina speaks up, "There are 20 chapters plus an epilogue from the wife of the author"

"Nineteen plus an epilogue", says Kara.

"But the epilogue is number 21"

Kara laughs. "There is no #13. People in the 1800s feared that number"

"But there are verses 13. Like 6:13", says Martina

"Yes, For an honest clothed man is nearer to God than a dishonest, naked one. I prefer 3:13. For respect is also a form of love, and silence may be an act of kindness."

I look at Kara. "I love that quote. So it's in that book?", I say.

"Yes, the first book of Christopher"

"Wait, there is a second one?"

Martina explains. "A US soldier, Daniel Mercer, was wounded in WW1. He lost the use of his legs and got healed in Switzerland. He read the first book and decided to visit Christopher. The first author was dead by then"

Kara continues. "So she wrote the second book and married one of the first author's daughters, Myriam."

"Wow, that's a small world"

Kara laughs. "You have no idea"

"The second book is very different; Christopher is wiser, older"

Kara adds. "More committed. During the second book, pretty much everyone in the village is by then a nudist. Granted, the term doesn't exist, but they are."

"Oh, wow, in what, 1920?"

"Yeah. The tumbleweeds arrive, the dust bowl arrives, but Christopher listens to the wind, to the ground, and pretty much saves everyone"

"Ok, that almost sounds miraculous", I say, skeptical.

"We do think it's divinely inspired. Eventually, Christopher dies in 1937, and 29 chapters are published for the second book, but Daniel becomes the new leader of the town"

"A guru?"

"No, a mayor, but also a sort of guide, though Myriam seems to do a lot of that too"

"The power couple"

Kara laughs. "Indeed. But then, Daniel dies in 1962, and Myriam makes a new edition of her husband's book, bundled with her father's book."

"Right. She is the bridge between them"

"For a while, that was it. From that book and Daniel's early effort, the Southern Christian Naturist Church asked their first daughter, Ruth, who is mentioned in the second book, to become their leader, calling herself a moderator."

"Oh so they got a woman to lead them? In the what, 60s? That's progressive"

"Well, more than progressive. Ruth was gay and married to Eleanor Price, who came from another family of Christopher's followers"

"Ok, that baffles me."

"Are you homophobic?"

"On the contrary. I am an ally.

"Ah, so are we all. It's in our scripture, you know?"

I smile. That is something I could agree on.

"So Ruth wrote eight more chapters", says Kara.

"Oh wow. Ok, I didn't see that coming. The whole family writing"

"And her niece, Clara, granddaughter of Daniel and Myriam, succeeded her, and she became the editor of the book."

"Did she write more? It's the one you cited earlier, right?", I ask.

"Well, she added seven inspiring letters. "

"So inspiring", says Martina.

"But then, she did something incredible. She found a ton of letters from her grandmother Myriam and added seven chapters, including a new chapter for the second book of Christopher, which, honestly? It might be the best one."

Martina cites, "The Bible is a map; the field is a country"

Kara smiles. "Storms are questions the earth asks the sky."

I like that. Inspiring, but meaning nothing and everything at once.

"It seems inspiring", I say.

"It is. I think I have an extra copy. I can lend it to you if you want"

"I... will read it and honor it, but I do not promise to agree with the content", I say.

"No one agrees with the whole content. Just... ignore II Christopher chapter 20", says Kara.

"Ok?", I say, confused.

"And 24", says Martina

"No, 24 is powerful"

"He doesn't answer!", says Martina

"Yes, but earlier, he admitted that he doesn't answer all questions in 1 Christopher 8. It's clear he agrees with the chapter. Read Myriam or Ruth.", adds Kara.

"I do, and it's why I skip 24. Because it fills me with doubt", says Martina

"Ah. I always read Ruth 2 after reading 24. It gives me clarity"

But I have no idea what they are talking about. Soon enough, I have the book in my hands, Kara thanks me, and Martina and I are on our way to my camper, where my kids and our husbands aren't back.

"Do you want to start reading? I could read over your shoulder?" said Martina.

Stuck, I agree and start with the preface by Myriam.

I particularly like when she says, "Christopher did not give permissions, and he did not write rules. He only tried to live honestly in front of us, and we, being human, turned that life into arguments and quotations, but often he said nothing at all and just nodded with a warm smile."

That's a book I might like.

<-#21: Overcoming Trauma #21: Thursday#23: Overcoming Trauma #23: Calming down ->