38 Comments
Aug 8Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Finally got to listen to this. I’ve been at my own mum’s for days and she has no wifi so I’ve only had scant mobile data. Back now.

Enjoyed listening to you both. Sounds horrible sat in the air raid shelter but as usual the dog did good 😊 Always so loyal!

She still speaks with such love and gratitude for all she has, it’s clear where you get it from ❤️

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Oh, thank you so much for taking the time! Podcasts can be so long and time so precious! I know that mum and I appreciate it very much! Nothing like growing up in war to be thankful for life. She has lived it well and passed it on. Probably the most kind and forgiving person I’ll ever know. ox

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Aug 9Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

You have a beautiful bond x

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Thank you. Mom is a great friend. ox

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Deb, I finally had a few quiet minutes to listen and I am beyond blessed and grateful to you and your mum for telling her story. What an incredible life. I am also so glad that you’re all feeling better. Thank you for this gift!

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Aug 4Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Growing up, my grandmothers shared an abundance of stories with me. Each bore seven children, so I have close to 45 first cousins. But, trying to review family history with any, I find that so few know much of our forebears. I feel so blessed to have been entrusted with all that my grandmas wanted to impart. Lucky me.

Sweet wedding photo.

Thanks for sharing.

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Wow, that’s a big family! What a blessing to be rich with your grandma’s history. Thank you so much for listening to our chat! I feel very blessed to have these recordings for my family.

Mum says thank you too! I love that wedding photo. So vintage, …young and happy.

God Bless you. oxox

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Aug 4Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Hi Deb, so beautiful! Once again close to my own heart. I spent most of my childhood with my grandparents. My Pop was a WWII vet, Nanny once a telephone operator. I loved to hear their stories and so thank you even more for sharing this. If mom ever needs a nurse, let me know I’ve always wanted to go to Oregon 💗

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Kristin! that's beautiful :). To spend your childhood with your grandparents is so special. I believe when we learn about our parents and grandparent's history from a young age it really lives inside of us (if we are meant to listen and cherish these stories). You are very felt and deep in your awareness. I understand it. Ugh, I love that you called them Pop and Nanny! I read this to my mom and she loved it! Always ready with the kettle on! Thank you so much for listening to our little chat. I'm glad it reminded you of your grandparents. Sending our love to you. ox. (P.S. you would love the Oregon coast and all the beautiful places to hike like Silver Falls State Park near my mom's house!)

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Aug 5Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Oregon is high on my list of west coast places to visit in the near future. Our trip to Cali was actually cancelled in April of 2020. I’m taking the scenic route back. So Nanny was Pennsylvania Dutch which is secret code for the early German settlers. Pop was born in California. Long story. They had very European mindsets and I love to incorporate all of the knowledge they impressed upon me. I only wish I had more time to talk with them. I could sit for hours and talk to anyone over the age of 80 and hear their life story. All they’ve seen and lived through! Kiss your mother for me please.

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What a story! Sounds like you need to write about them :) and your experiences growing up with them. I love family stories like this. "Secret code" for German - wow :( What people went through after WW2 - so many lingering after-effects. That mindset is something that I treasure. It's hearty and you obviously inherited it. We are Vikings on my dad's side (yikes) so I like to think I'm strong and creative like they were (although they were awful!) The women were very strong, often in charge and they were known jewelry makers. My dad taught himself how to make turquoise and silver jewelry! I read this to my sweet mom and literally kissed her :) ox

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I do although I'm not sure my words could ever do their love and sacrifice justice. Enjoy the rest of your trip and time with mom. XOXO.

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I am so glad you took the time to visit your mom in Oregon and record another podcast and take these fabulous photos of her in the late winter of her life. Although she appears as she’s in her 80s she looks just as useful and spry as she did when she was younger at her wedding. She just has that essence of youth about her, that you captured it so beautifully in your photograph of her.

I haven’t listen to the podcast yet and will do so later this evening. I remember Bullocks! It was a wonderful department store! I wonder what happened to it? It probably went bankrupt or merge during one of the recessions.

Thank you for sharing the trailer to the movie! I am definitely going to check this out later this week.

Have an amazing week Deborah and again thank you so much for what you share. These are gems!

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Dear Charlotte! Thank you so much! Podcasts are more time consuming and I'm trying to shoot for 40 min and under so people don't get tired! ha ha. I'd love to chat with you too! I have you on my list of people I hope to have on the podcast! I love the radio style. I know you have a lot going on with your new radio show too - but perhaps at some point! <insert prayer hands! - I'm on my laptop! ha ha!>

Mom is definitely the most tenacious little lady you will ever meet! and even with her eyesight going is very busy! Thank you from both of us for the compliments on her photos :) And I read that Bullocks was consolidated into I. Magnin by Macy's in 1989. Do you remember that store? It was super lux. The Red Shoes was my parents first date! I loved seeing the trailer of the enhanced new version! We have to see it now :)

I hope you have a beautiful week friend! We are still in Oregon and heading home mid-week. Rough trip but blessed to be able to take care of each other. I so appreciate your kindness and support. Sending you much love. oxox

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Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

You will TREASURE these recordings for the rest of your life! Two immediate questions come to mind: I was surprised with he English accent after all these years (I love it by the way!), does it never leave?; and when do we get to read her book?

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Aug 4·edited Aug 4Author

Dear Bob!

Thank you so very much for listening to mom and I :) It's exciting to have these recorded for our family. Today, our oldest son played it for our granddaughters!! They watched the old Disney movie, Bedknobs and Broomsticks and they were so interested in their "Grand Nana" talking about growing up in the war. wow. Seven and five years old. And both "mum" and dad never gave up their accents! As for me, many strangers would ask me to "speak" and I was very shy (can you believe?) and quickly learned they would stop if I didn't have my accent anymore :( I thought... I wasn't a dog, you know? We have been talking about her book a lot. She never did the copyright process, so I'm tasking my brother with it. If anything, a self-publish in book form for all of us. We all have transcripts of it to treasure. Epic stuff! I see it more as a mini-series. It would be amazing.

Praying for continued healing and TONS of success with your new book!! oxoxox

P.S. I'd love to chat with you at some point! Perhaps in the fall.

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Aug 4Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

I look forward to our chat! Let's pencil towards the Fall when both or our schedules settle a bit.

You've mesmerized me with "Roads End." The cottage, growing up on that beach, even the name of the road is magical. Idealic comes to mind. You and John are living your own legacy while you're sharing your Mom's. We all must celebrate those moments.

Speaking of celebrating, with the book coming out I gave my fifteen year old granddaughter a "proof" copy last Wednesday, casually adding "read it someday if you ever get a chance - who knows, there may be something in there that'll help you with your own journey." Yesterday, I got a text (bragging shamelessly on my g'daughter) "Dutch (my nickname) the book is fantastic. It is going to touch so many hearts like it has touched mine and will make an impact on so many lives. I love you, am so proud of you, and am so thankful for the role you play in my life." I've ALWAYS wondered why God charged me with writing Christian Romance - I may have just figured it out!

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Bob! this leaves me sooooo HAPPY! Thank you for wanting to do this with me! Hoping to get better and better at it, but I warn you, it's a bit of an experiment each time! We will put something down perhaps in October? I know we'll stay in touch.

And, thank you so much for reading about Roads End! What an unbelievable place for mom and dad to retire! It was very magical to bring the kids there every summer. John and I do a lot of praying and thinking about if something like that is in our future. California is a tough place to pay utilities -- yet the grandkids are there. We look at water properties and think, hummm? How could we do that. The beauty of dreaming.

AND! This story of your granddaughter reading your proof copy (sooner than you thought!) and your cool name "Dutch!" telling you how much she loved it! I'm definitely looking forward to reading it! This completely warmed my heart and she most definitely confirmed God's purpose on your life with your writing. I absolutely love this and to think she's 15. Beautiful. Thank you for telling me this. Another great gift today.

We finally took mom out for a belated birthday lunch, which was a blessing. I hope your mom is doing okay and settled. ox

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Oh how wonderful to listen to your beautiful mum. ….what a wonderful story teller you are,Beryl!! I’m in tears about your dog protecting you! Happy tears for how you snagged your future husband! 😅You knew he was the one at sixteen! I’ve heard WWII stories from my dad’s perspective… but hearing this from inside an air raid cage; from your mother riding so fast on her bike…what a gift to us all about the war. And Deb…I love your parents love story… the way you cherish your sweet mum and all the details she recalls! I’ve never bothered much with podcasts… but yours is the best! What a joyful way to start my day! So Much love to you both…God bless And hugs. 🥰❤️

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Dear Joan, mum and I thank you so much for listening to us chat :) I am trying to keep these under 40 min (which is a lot). It's so great to have her voice for our family. I told Bob that our oldest son played it for our granddaughters today and they loved it! Had so many questions. Seven and Five! There are some really horrific war stories from Holocaust survivors and then there are the stories that are still so sad and hard, as a result of war, like my mom's stories. It was hard times for everyone and honestly mom and nana could have died had the Nazis not turned away from England. I still can't imagine her school bombed or the local butcher who survived in his freezer? crazy. Nana on her bike with buzz bombs or war planes overhead. Then how beautiful to fall in love and marry and come to America. A dream. What a life. I treasure mine because of them. Thank you for the love and encouragement you always give me. God Bless and much love back to you. Hope you have a peaceful weekend friend. oxox

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WOW, WOW, WOW!

I just listened the Podcast.

Thank you so much for recording it, sharing and just the beautiful soul you are!

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Dear Mariska! Here I am again, very late at night! Treasuring time with that little lady! Thank you so very much for taking the time to listen to mum and I :) We really appreciate it! So blessed to have this for my family. It's so important that our elders get to share their stories. I have learned so much from my parents and I'm always very humbled. God Bless you and goodnight from rural Oregon, USA. oxox

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Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

It is so incredible to hear you and your mom's voices! I loved hearing the story in the garden. You come from a beautiful strong family. Keep living your lives to the fullest. Doug O'Brien

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Doug, thank you so much for listening to us! Tech is so cool in that way! Mom remembers you fondly and says hello! I told her you have an awesome family! I am so grateful my strong, adventurous parents. God Bless and thanks again for making our day! oxox

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I began to listen to the story of wartime England, as how your mother was left alone in an airraid shelter, yet protected by her dog, Major. The dog's actions show how connected we are.

Needless to say, for so many reasons, I find war reprehensible. It changes everything and never for tbe better. There are many cases of family breakups. Btw, I am impressed by your mother learning to speak fluent French. :)

People were also issued ration books in Canada and the U.S. My mother told me stories about growing up in Montreal during the Second World War. She was born in 1926. I wish I had written them down or had the foresight to tape her conversation, as you have.

Thank you so much for sharing this; your mother is a wonderful conversationalist.

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Thank you Perry! and so nice to have you back! I must catchup with you :)

It's amazing to listen to our elder's stories of war and strife and then the grace of a dog. Gives me big tears. I know that so many animals are suffering right now and are unable to be of comfort or get any kind of comfort. It's all reprehensible and the fallout is never-ending for many years if not for a whole life for many. Mum was very good with her French when I was younger - There wasn't many people to speak with in the U.S. when we came here though. A natural language to master in Europe. I always wondered why we didn't go to Canada, but aviation industry in the U.S. was dad's big goal.

I wonder if you can begin to tell your mum's stories from the memories she gave you? Perhaps here - to get some of them down for your family.

Thank you for listening to us chat Perry! It truly means so much. Have a peaceful weekend. ox

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You too.🦜🕊🐦

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Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Deb and Beryl. This is beautiful I wish Brian could listen and understand but unfortunately too late for him. Love you all xxx

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Debs! Thank you for listening to us! I wish that too and feel so very sad :( We are sending you our love and a big tight hug. oxox

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Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

How beautifully talented your mum is. You have inherited her gifts, Deborah. I love this! ✨

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We thank you so much for listening Trudi :) I was blessed to have creative and adventurous parents. God Bless and have a peaceful weekend. oxox

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Oh my goodness Deborah!

What a privilege to have discovered you on Substack!

I love this! Thank you for sharing so many treasures in beautiful digital art expression.

I just love and admire your style!!

Blessings in abundance!

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Oh thank you so very much Mariska! I'm so happy we have met! You are so very kind to listen to this! I know it takes more time. Mum is a real treasure and I'm so blessed to have her in my life. I think it's timely to talk with our elders and have them tell their stories. Blessings right back at you! oxox

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I haven’t listened all yet.

However, you did something, I so much wanted to do and should have done.

Well done and MANY blessings!

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Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

Beautiful tribute to your mother, Deborah. That was moving and heartfelt - and I really enjoyed it. Thanks so much for sharing and confirming what is really important in life. - Jim

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Jim, this means so very much that you listened! Thank you :). Wow! I know it’s time consuming to listen to podcasts! We are blessed to have mum around with her fantastic memory. I was so proud of her :) It’s true, we need the reminders of what’s really important, especially in this period of time. ox

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Aug 3·edited Aug 3Liked by Deborah T. Hewitt

I will listen later (it’s early here and don’t want to wake anyone) but I just read the poem and really enjoyed it. How inspiring to have such a talented mum!

I love the way you always weave your family into your work. The gratitude flows through so strong ❤️

She looks like you too x

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Thank you again friend! I guess I have taken up what both my parents loved and I honestly never thought I'd write. I adored the camera and all that dad did with his, figuring mum was the writer and I had no time for that, although I loved my English and grammar courses, especially when we did poetry. Only through a hard set of circumstances and a ton of grieving did I take up writing. Mum always told me to do it and I just didn't think I had it in me. She was so good at it! I'm really grateful for her and to celebrate another birthday. We used to get called sisters (and she loved that!!). ox

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