Why subscribe?
Dear Reader,
Thank you for checking out The Family We Keep. It's good to explore before you subscribe. You will find a mix of stories, poetry and sometimes commentary, blended with *my photography. I love meeting new people and have found beautiful friendships here.
In the summer of 2020 I found myself spiraling downward. I realized my 20 year career as a professional photographer was slowly ending, due to my personal vaccine choices. Then, I was misdiagnosed with a heart condition. What followed a few months later was a sudden, unexpected family estrangement that took its toll, and I wasn't sure I wanted to live. I had never felt this way in my life. By Thanksgiving of 2020, my dad’s cancer was back after a very long remission, and slowly, agonizingly, he passed through Thanksgiving, my 60th birthday, Christmas, his birthday, and entered heaven on January 1st 2021. Through dad, God got me up. I realize now He had far more for me to learn and do. Grief is a long process that we must walk through in order to grow.
After returning home, from a few months away, helping mom go through the pain of losing dad, I was feeling strong again. Although my faith grew during that time, I was unprepared. I came home to a sick dog, completely broke down while we said goodbye, and realized I was still living inside of heavy family estrangement. A year later in May of 2022 I heard the words “The Family We Keep,” and my writer mom’s voice of encouragement. I started a Substack and published my first story June 1st. I have been “writing for life” since.
Carrying the heart of an immigrant child, I have a passion for God’s beautiful earth, people, history and the arts. I will often write through the inspiration of music. I love nature and have a huge heart for rescue. These are dire times for humans and animals. It’s through our stories and images that we reflect, grow, find gratitude and a spirit for truth.
Create to live and live to create,
deb ox
*All images, except personal vintage and public historical images, or noted stock, are copyright of myself, Deborah Tracey Hewitt
To find out more about the company that provides the tech for this newsletter, visit Substack.com.
