Incandescent neatly strung Warm place for feathered young Perfectly sketched with Love from He who Reigns above I see your boyish grin birthday-Christmas for the win Grownup child on the road of quaint villages stories told In the old town of cobblestones Where Dunmow folk gather their bones The crow flies in fields of wheat piano tunes sing under feet Of colored lights and compromise Happy birthday, happy life, the prize It's Christmas Day in rooms of June where gifts of you are lit at noon And I remember the redhead boy in life and death of colored joy I leave the Christmas lights on. - deborah t.
Your words and poetry tell a story in my bones. I feel it. Heavy go those steps of grief. Blessing the joy. Bless you all the colours in that tapestry to wrap you in all the beautiful, so far away, way over yonder. It’s never too late. Home again. 🙏❤️
Oh Jamie, this makes me smile so big. Thank you for reading and for expressing so beautifully how we feel. Yes. Blessing to joy. That our grief can turn to this. To color. To a better and more beautiful place than we ever imagined. oxox
Right? I began to play the album after I thought of the memory of driving my mum crazy dancing in the kitchen to I Feel the Earth Move (every. single. day. in 5th grade!! 😅) and you're right! So Far Away! Chills! Way Over Yonder! Home Again! I could have written only her titles!
Wow, Deborah, what an evocative piece, made my tear up. Your sentence : "Heavy go the steps of grief, softly, slowly, towards sentimental colorful joy." is drawing a lot of response and I can fully understand why! Grief is very heavy and tough but only way out is through. Parents, especially, whether we were close or no, when they go, HUGE change. My own Mom died overnight back in 1966, massive stroke. Love them while they are there, get your issues out and resolved as much as you can. Time flies for us all. God welcomes Home, His Sons and Daughters, those who have joined the Household of God and names in the Lamb's Book of Life. I SO look forward to going Home, when my work is done here, this place is lovely but temporary. The simple, shining colored lights REALLY do help, they lift out spirits! Blessings abound to you, Deborah! WEW
Dearest Wendy, thank you so much for this. Every part of me feels this way. It was flow. And my grief has turned to color. To joy. It's all Him. You're right about life being so fleeting. Get it all out, make it good. Love. Before they go. Heaven waits all sparkly, colorful and glorious.
We will be made perfect. I hope you are doing well. I'm slow to catch up. Sending you a big hug and much love. oxox
Deborah, NO worries about keeping in touch, there is so much to do and so much to read and participate in on Substack Notes. I long for Heaven more and more each day. I am not always that tough, so many of my dearest friends, especially Sisters in Christ, have gone Home and I miss them terribly. I feel very alone and yet I have Papa God and His wonderful Son, every day. You have a writing gift, Deborah, keep going!!! Bless you, Wendy
The Christmas lights bring back memories of my dad. He was big on lights…lots of lights inside and out. For the longest time, it always had to be a live tree too. The biggest one on the lot. He was also into the traditions too. Especially getting the decorations down on January 6. He passed on January 5, 1989. Time sure flies. But I will always remember that all the decorations stayed up and on the day of his funeral, we left the tree on. When the funeral procession went past the house, my brother broke down (which he didn’t do much) and said, “why did we leave the lights on, he’d be so mad”. I have a feeling your dad and my dad had something in common, albeit years apart.
Hi Ken, oh gosh, I'm feeling those tears again. Your brother asking why you left the lights on, as the funeral procession passed, saying "Dad would be so mad!" That he broke down and cried. That really hit me. My brother and I agree that dad would wonder the same thing? He was always so neat and tidy!! I think he thought I was nuts playing Christmas music around Halloween though! ha ha!
I'm sorry you lost your dad. The years do fly. Losing them over the holidays is like an extra punch to the heart, especially when it was their favorite time. Perhaps they left us with far more to think about because of it. Our dads sound very similar. Thank you for reading this and for leaving me such a beautiful and personal message. I really appreciate it. ox
Thank you for sharing a heartfelt homage tribute to your father Deborah. May he continue to rest in peace among the angels watching over us. This piece takes me to a place in my heart where I feel I knew your Dad. That place where tears come from when your soul’s been touched. 🤗💜✨
Thank you, thank you thank you!! My dad was a real character. So creative and hilarious. Also, complicated and deeply honest. He absolutely loved history and tried to teach it to us and to my kids. Many in this younger generation don't appreciate or respect that type of person. His death was made far more painful because of that. It's hard to talk about as I walk forward in love. As Mary Tabor spoke of. Love. Right? Love takes us forward and out of that swirling boat of grief. But we still remember. Perhaps it's the extra pain of dad's death, the missing people, as he laid there dying, that has me remembering and respecting him more than ever. Okay, now you have me with my eyes all glossy.
Beautiful memories…such a touching poem. This is your best so far… do I say that every time? 😄Your words fall out perfectly..” heavy go the steps of grief” …wow, what a powerful sentence this was! And the color…my husband was like this…more color the merrier he’d say! Well done again, dear Deb 🤗🥰🫶❤️
Oh Joan, you are so kind. I think our "best" comes directly from the heart. I feel it in your writing. Until you have lived the depths of joy and grief I think you can totally write and create beautiful things, however, once you have gone through these deeply personal highs and lows, it becomes far more penetrating. Honesty in writing is the release. It reaches out to the community we're meant to have. I kept walking past these lights and I had so many colorful memories. What a gift and a journey we are on if we're paying attention. I love that you are looking back on pictures and remembering the stories of your life. Thank you always for your love and for inspiring me to keep going. This community is so rich like that. Huge hug to you. oxox
Thank you so much Kimberly. That means the world. I have been walking past this strand of lights since New Years, and this is exactly what it has felt like three years later. A process. Grief is an unmeasured process.
Thank you so much Jenn! It dawned on me, how long I have walked past these lights and how it feels to me. There is joy. Yes, we don’t know why lights are left on half the time do we? oxox
Amazing poetry and a beautiful story. I would have loved your dad if he liked colour. I do also, and I know my children understand that. I bought a second hand coat recently with some gorgeous Springlike stripes. I wore it outside, with my coffee, over my jammies one morning when there was a chill. Sarah says, "It's Grandma's Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat"
Your dad was a gem of a dad, it's clear. Much love from one who understands.
Thank you so much dear Jenni. Oh I think you and he would have hit it off very well!! and ha ha ha! LOVE what Sarah said! Love being ourselves!!! YESSS! Second hand, vintage, wearing what suits our fancy, that's my bag!! Dad was a gem. Thank you for your love and kindness. Sending you much love back. I knew you'd understand. oxox
Thank you so much Kevin. It's so strange how something so simple as a strand of lights, that has remained "on" for so long now, can bring so much joy. It's the quiet meaning behind them and I felt like I needed to bring that to life. To let people know that there's a possible reason behind all the things we do. The surface says we're lazy, quirky, weird - but if we cared to know the whys? we'd probably find out there's a story. When my grandchildren are dancing in the lanai I see my dad smiling. No one knows that.
Thank you so much Mohika, for reading, and for your kindness. Grief is an immeasurable process and it does feel good to get to the joyful part. Wishing you peace and love back. ox
Beautiful poem and tribute! More and more people are leaving Christmas lights up in my area. I used to think it was odd, but now I enjoy seeing them year round.
I used to have a fake tree in my apartment after my divorce that I kept clear lights on. It was just a peaceful thing to enjoy while I was going through the stress of the divorce.
Thank you so much friend. I think there are many stories behind lights!! I love seeing them too. I admit, I used to wonder why people wouldn't take them down. Not annoyed - but I wondered. I can relate to your tree and keeping the lights on. They do bring us peace. Thank you for reading this and for your kind compliment. oxox
Dear Joyce, thank you so very much. And for the share! I am slowly making my way through! oxoxox. Oh and I hope you had a blessed time of it at your retreat!
That is really beautiful. And that's a really lovely way of keeping a part of him around, lighting up the room... 😎
Your words and poetry tell a story in my bones. I feel it. Heavy go those steps of grief. Blessing the joy. Bless you all the colours in that tapestry to wrap you in all the beautiful, so far away, way over yonder. It’s never too late. Home again. 🙏❤️
Oh Jamie, this makes me smile so big. Thank you for reading and for expressing so beautifully how we feel. Yes. Blessing to joy. That our grief can turn to this. To color. To a better and more beautiful place than we ever imagined. oxox
Some song titles from tapestry hidden in there ❤️
Right? I began to play the album after I thought of the memory of driving my mum crazy dancing in the kitchen to I Feel the Earth Move (every. single. day. in 5th grade!! 😅) and you're right! So Far Away! Chills! Way Over Yonder! Home Again! I could have written only her titles!
Bless you Deb. Certainly a favourite album of mine too.
Wow, Deborah, what an evocative piece, made my tear up. Your sentence : "Heavy go the steps of grief, softly, slowly, towards sentimental colorful joy." is drawing a lot of response and I can fully understand why! Grief is very heavy and tough but only way out is through. Parents, especially, whether we were close or no, when they go, HUGE change. My own Mom died overnight back in 1966, massive stroke. Love them while they are there, get your issues out and resolved as much as you can. Time flies for us all. God welcomes Home, His Sons and Daughters, those who have joined the Household of God and names in the Lamb's Book of Life. I SO look forward to going Home, when my work is done here, this place is lovely but temporary. The simple, shining colored lights REALLY do help, they lift out spirits! Blessings abound to you, Deborah! WEW
Dearest Wendy, thank you so much for this. Every part of me feels this way. It was flow. And my grief has turned to color. To joy. It's all Him. You're right about life being so fleeting. Get it all out, make it good. Love. Before they go. Heaven waits all sparkly, colorful and glorious.
We will be made perfect. I hope you are doing well. I'm slow to catch up. Sending you a big hug and much love. oxox
Deborah, NO worries about keeping in touch, there is so much to do and so much to read and participate in on Substack Notes. I long for Heaven more and more each day. I am not always that tough, so many of my dearest friends, especially Sisters in Christ, have gone Home and I miss them terribly. I feel very alone and yet I have Papa God and His wonderful Son, every day. You have a writing gift, Deborah, keep going!!! Bless you, Wendy
The Christmas lights bring back memories of my dad. He was big on lights…lots of lights inside and out. For the longest time, it always had to be a live tree too. The biggest one on the lot. He was also into the traditions too. Especially getting the decorations down on January 6. He passed on January 5, 1989. Time sure flies. But I will always remember that all the decorations stayed up and on the day of his funeral, we left the tree on. When the funeral procession went past the house, my brother broke down (which he didn’t do much) and said, “why did we leave the lights on, he’d be so mad”. I have a feeling your dad and my dad had something in common, albeit years apart.
Thanks for bringing your story “to light”. 😉
Hi Ken, oh gosh, I'm feeling those tears again. Your brother asking why you left the lights on, as the funeral procession passed, saying "Dad would be so mad!" That he broke down and cried. That really hit me. My brother and I agree that dad would wonder the same thing? He was always so neat and tidy!! I think he thought I was nuts playing Christmas music around Halloween though! ha ha!
I'm sorry you lost your dad. The years do fly. Losing them over the holidays is like an extra punch to the heart, especially when it was their favorite time. Perhaps they left us with far more to think about because of it. Our dads sound very similar. Thank you for reading this and for leaving me such a beautiful and personal message. I really appreciate it. ox
Thank you for sharing a heartfelt homage tribute to your father Deborah. May he continue to rest in peace among the angels watching over us. This piece takes me to a place in my heart where I feel I knew your Dad. That place where tears come from when your soul’s been touched. 🤗💜✨
Dear Charlotte,
Thank you, thank you thank you!! My dad was a real character. So creative and hilarious. Also, complicated and deeply honest. He absolutely loved history and tried to teach it to us and to my kids. Many in this younger generation don't appreciate or respect that type of person. His death was made far more painful because of that. It's hard to talk about as I walk forward in love. As Mary Tabor spoke of. Love. Right? Love takes us forward and out of that swirling boat of grief. But we still remember. Perhaps it's the extra pain of dad's death, the missing people, as he laid there dying, that has me remembering and respecting him more than ever. Okay, now you have me with my eyes all glossy.
Sending you so much love. oxox
Beautiful memories…such a touching poem. This is your best so far… do I say that every time? 😄Your words fall out perfectly..” heavy go the steps of grief” …wow, what a powerful sentence this was! And the color…my husband was like this…more color the merrier he’d say! Well done again, dear Deb 🤗🥰🫶❤️
Oh Joan, you are so kind. I think our "best" comes directly from the heart. I feel it in your writing. Until you have lived the depths of joy and grief I think you can totally write and create beautiful things, however, once you have gone through these deeply personal highs and lows, it becomes far more penetrating. Honesty in writing is the release. It reaches out to the community we're meant to have. I kept walking past these lights and I had so many colorful memories. What a gift and a journey we are on if we're paying attention. I love that you are looking back on pictures and remembering the stories of your life. Thank you always for your love and for inspiring me to keep going. This community is so rich like that. Huge hug to you. oxox
❤️🥰🫶😘
“Heavy go the steps of grief, softly, slowly, towards sentimental colorful joy.” What a beautiful sentence. 💛
Thank you so much Kimberly. That means the world. I have been walking past this strand of lights since New Years, and this is exactly what it has felt like three years later. A process. Grief is an unmeasured process.
…unmeasured, perhaps even unmeasurable….💛
Oh, so beautiful! What a lovely way to remember your dad! I will think of you whenever I see Christmas lights up after January. Thank you, Deb ❤️
Thank you so much Jenn! It dawned on me, how long I have walked past these lights and how it feels to me. There is joy. Yes, we don’t know why lights are left on half the time do we? oxox
I love it when things hit like that, all at once. And I love that this is a joy bearing reminder, not all of them are ❤️
I agree. Not all of them are. For sure. ox
Amazing poetry and a beautiful story. I would have loved your dad if he liked colour. I do also, and I know my children understand that. I bought a second hand coat recently with some gorgeous Springlike stripes. I wore it outside, with my coffee, over my jammies one morning when there was a chill. Sarah says, "It's Grandma's Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat"
Your dad was a gem of a dad, it's clear. Much love from one who understands.
Thank you so much dear Jenni. Oh I think you and he would have hit it off very well!! and ha ha ha! LOVE what Sarah said! Love being ourselves!!! YESSS! Second hand, vintage, wearing what suits our fancy, that's my bag!! Dad was a gem. Thank you for your love and kindness. Sending you much love back. I knew you'd understand. oxox
So beautiful. Well done. You’ve tapped into a universal feeling of joy and love.
Thank you so much Kevin. It's so strange how something so simple as a strand of lights, that has remained "on" for so long now, can bring so much joy. It's the quiet meaning behind them and I felt like I needed to bring that to life. To let people know that there's a possible reason behind all the things we do. The surface says we're lazy, quirky, weird - but if we cared to know the whys? we'd probably find out there's a story. When my grandchildren are dancing in the lanai I see my dad smiling. No one knows that.
What a special tribute to your dad. Thank goodness for memories. So very touching.
Thank you so much Monica. I can see him smiling and wondering at the same time why they're still up! lol. oxox
Heartbreaking and so so beautiful Deborah! 💜🧡 I wish you peace and gentle tidings 💜🧡
Thank you so much Mohika, for reading, and for your kindness. Grief is an immeasurable process and it does feel good to get to the joyful part. Wishing you peace and love back. ox
I see Dad looking down from heaven with a big grin 🙏😏❤
I hope he is. I believe he's watching over. I can see that grin. Maybe he'd say, "why on earth haven't you taken those bloody lights down yet?" ha ha!
Love you. ox
Unbelievable 😏
Beautiful poem and tribute! More and more people are leaving Christmas lights up in my area. I used to think it was odd, but now I enjoy seeing them year round.
I used to have a fake tree in my apartment after my divorce that I kept clear lights on. It was just a peaceful thing to enjoy while I was going through the stress of the divorce.
Thank you so much friend. I think there are many stories behind lights!! I love seeing them too. I admit, I used to wonder why people wouldn't take them down. Not annoyed - but I wondered. I can relate to your tree and keeping the lights on. They do bring us peace. Thank you for reading this and for your kind compliment. oxox
Beautiful to see so much love 💙🙏💫
Dear Joyce, thank you so very much. And for the share! I am slowly making my way through! oxoxox. Oh and I hope you had a blessed time of it at your retreat!
Thank you, Deborah. I love this story 💙
This yoga immersion is the best thing I’ve done 💙🧘♀️
Oh I’m so happy to hear this! Nothing like a big refreshment! Have a wonderful evening! ox