Your writing is beautiful, and the heart behind it shines through so clearly! I just discovered you through your recent collaboration with Lighthouse (The Highway of God) and I'm so happy to have found your Substack and you!
Oh Melissa! thank you so much! I am happy to discover you too! Glad you found me through Lighthouse! What a blessing. Your comment means the world to me. This community has done nothing but lift me up and I am so humbled by that. I love lifting others up as well. It’s how the world should operate right? ox
It's funny how God works. This is serendipitous for ME, for many reasons. Thank you for this offering Deb, it's beyond beautiful and deeply appreciated. I will sleep well tonight. Many thanks🙏✨
Wow. Thank you for this ❤️ God is a good God to grow us to a place of raw honesty. I have found when we are set free to be who He made us to be, unchained from all we cannot control, it's when real restoration takes place. Then, when we're brave enough to write it, He brings us an authentic community that relates 🙏🏻✨🙌🏻
This is so beautiful, Deb, there are many parts I can relate to; especially, suddenly being struck by overpowering awe at how deep love is. I am so glad that you made it to the same page, in His time. Thank you for sharing your heart and your love!
Thank you Jenn. It is truly a gift to look at your partner and fall in love all over again after so many storms. People used to tell us to hang in there and we’d see. God is so good. Four years ago I didn’t see us aligning on the journey forward either. Incredible. ox
😭💦😭 spilling wet tears on my keyboard reading this piece Deborah. It really touches me deep in my soul. Your words and expression are so authentic and real. I wish you and John continued loving happiness. ✨💖✨🦋🙏
Yessss. Why all the toiling when He already did the work. Us knuckleheads on earth need to figure it out the slow way I guess. Makes us stronger in the end (we hope). Thank you Ron!
Darn you - this now makes FOUR OF YOUR PIECES that I'd love to use in our series "A Summer of Fun!" WOW, this is incredible! Add in the Phil Collins piece, and you've got a tear jerker. Of course I couldn't say it as eloquently as you have, by in my book "Some Other Time," I said what you just said this way, "But the process of being married is a series of days, all stuck together—some good and some bad." Not very sexy is it? Maybe that's why you're Guest Hosting on our site in a couple of weeks!
Oh thank you so much Bob! I need to read that book!! Why are there so many stories to read on Substack! ha ha! I find that I am reading so much I can barely keep up with a book! That is soooo good "a series of days, all stuck together - some good and some bad." It's perfect.
And I still can't believe I get to have this honor!? Can't wait and nor thank you enough for your kindness and inspiration to keep going. It's become a beautiful addiction! Grateful that God got hold of me and pushed me into writing :) He sure knows who to use and when to use them. Hope you're having a good week! oxox
Awe, thank you Jamie. Beautiful you with your kindness. It means so very much. I think the most amazing journey is one that turns you on your heels back toward a whole new appreciation for the partner you've hung out with for so long. It's amazing to think where we've been and where we are. Welcome to the third act :) oxox
As per usual your thoughts always are parallel to mine. Rich has been a workaholic since age 12 when his mother allowed him and his older brother to illegally work at a local meat packing plant . He has been doing overtime plus drives a school bus for over a year. He's worked days, middles, nights. You get the picture ! But, just like you and John we have struggled with family dynamics, resentments, addictions, the list is long. God always knows our true hearts desires. The brokenness we see in family can slowly break us. But we never give up !! May God continue to bless and strengthen your relationships as He prepares us all for the ultimate family reunion !! xoxo
Wow Mary. just wow. That's rough. 12? I can see my John's description on his bike at 10 to 12 with a paper route, just trying to save a little money with his single mom doing her thing. But a meat packing plant? No wonder we connect on such a deep and often unspoken level. Thank for this. You know this pain. Letting go and realizing we have no control, dropping all the flesh and turning it into happiness for others. Acceptance of your life as it's been and might continue to be is freedom. Freedom to love and to grow. The only thing we can control is our mind. Fill it with prayer, love. good living. repeat. Do it through every challenge, good and bad time. Just keep walking all the way to the big reunion, as you say!
Your husband John is a good man; I already know that you are a good woman, Deborah. And you are both together and on the right track. I can tell from your writing, which comes from a good place--your heart. The bonds are stronger when united. No matter the hardships, this bond will carry you through. Love that photo from 1985. It brings back memories.
Thank you so much Perry. I believe the word "intent" is so meaningful in the framework of humanity. If our intentions are good. They've been good. We are sincerely so grateful for all we've been given. Now? we reach this miraculous place where we pick-up the third act and go forward on the path together. Blessed. Everyone has a life to live. We've lived much of it. It's good to let go and do what we can do. Like I said to my dear friend above... fill your life with prayer, love and good living. Plus a lot of Thanksgiving. John traded electrical work with our plumber friend, who brought his medium format camera up to our wedding, in the cabin. It was raining outside but we stood out there for family pictures! My little nana decided she would be on John's family's side next to his brother (we still crack up over it! ha ha!). It was a beautiful day. Good memories indeed! ox
Thank you brother. You've seen it all. It's a miracle we are still standing and stronger than ever. Thank you for your love and support always. You may not know this, but you were there at the beginning when we were slipping and I will never forget your wisdom.
You are a beautiful writer. You and John are emotionally connected, and deep thinking people. I love your writing, it kept me engaged all the way through!
I wish I could put my thoughts and emotions on paper like you. Keep writing, love it! ❤️
Oh gosh Michelle! Thank you so much for reading, for being here and for such a beautiful, kind and encouraging comment. I wish I had your talent for singing! Can't wait to see you both again :). Give my best to Wayne. Can you believe how long we've all lasted? It's definitely the music! The art of life. I love it. oxox
Beautiful. Love the Robert Browning quote !
Your writing is beautiful, and the heart behind it shines through so clearly! I just discovered you through your recent collaboration with Lighthouse (The Highway of God) and I'm so happy to have found your Substack and you!
Oh Melissa! thank you so much! I am happy to discover you too! Glad you found me through Lighthouse! What a blessing. Your comment means the world to me. This community has done nothing but lift me up and I am so humbled by that. I love lifting others up as well. It’s how the world should operate right? ox
It absolutely is! 💜
It's funny how God works. This is serendipitous for ME, for many reasons. Thank you for this offering Deb, it's beyond beautiful and deeply appreciated. I will sleep well tonight. Many thanks🙏✨
Wow. Thank you for this ❤️ God is a good God to grow us to a place of raw honesty. I have found when we are set free to be who He made us to be, unchained from all we cannot control, it's when real restoration takes place. Then, when we're brave enough to write it, He brings us an authentic community that relates 🙏🏻✨🙌🏻
This is so beautiful, Deb, there are many parts I can relate to; especially, suddenly being struck by overpowering awe at how deep love is. I am so glad that you made it to the same page, in His time. Thank you for sharing your heart and your love!
Thank you Jenn. It is truly a gift to look at your partner and fall in love all over again after so many storms. People used to tell us to hang in there and we’d see. God is so good. Four years ago I didn’t see us aligning on the journey forward either. Incredible. ox
Persevering through four years with different visions sounds so hard. What a joyous relief and well worth the wait ❤️. God is good.
Grow strong! :)
Yessss!! Grow strong! Separate and together! Just do it! oxox
Such a beautiful story, Deborah!! ❤️
Thank you so very much Jacqueline! oxox
😭💦😭 spilling wet tears on my keyboard reading this piece Deborah. It really touches me deep in my soul. Your words and expression are so authentic and real. I wish you and John continued loving happiness. ✨💖✨🦋🙏
through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come. . .
Yessss. Why all the toiling when He already did the work. Us knuckleheads on earth need to figure it out the slow way I guess. Makes us stronger in the end (we hope). Thank you Ron!
trust me; we're on the ‘why am I a knucklehead’ learning curve, for sure!
lol. but not really. but lol. Keep shedding that flesh and you'll get there! I'm here. We're here. Keep going. His love is way better than ours!
Darn you - this now makes FOUR OF YOUR PIECES that I'd love to use in our series "A Summer of Fun!" WOW, this is incredible! Add in the Phil Collins piece, and you've got a tear jerker. Of course I couldn't say it as eloquently as you have, by in my book "Some Other Time," I said what you just said this way, "But the process of being married is a series of days, all stuck together—some good and some bad." Not very sexy is it? Maybe that's why you're Guest Hosting on our site in a couple of weeks!
Oh thank you so much Bob! I need to read that book!! Why are there so many stories to read on Substack! ha ha! I find that I am reading so much I can barely keep up with a book! That is soooo good "a series of days, all stuck together - some good and some bad." It's perfect.
And I still can't believe I get to have this honor!? Can't wait and nor thank you enough for your kindness and inspiration to keep going. It's become a beautiful addiction! Grateful that God got hold of me and pushed me into writing :) He sure knows who to use and when to use them. Hope you're having a good week! oxox
Lovely!
Thank you friend. I appreciate you. ox
Beautiful and very real.
Thank you so much Tina! I really appreciate that you read it and left me such a nice comment. Take care. ox
A love song. Beautiful Deb. Thank you John 🙏❤️
Awe, thank you Jamie. Beautiful you with your kindness. It means so very much. I think the most amazing journey is one that turns you on your heels back toward a whole new appreciation for the partner you've hung out with for so long. It's amazing to think where we've been and where we are. Welcome to the third act :) oxox
As per usual your thoughts always are parallel to mine. Rich has been a workaholic since age 12 when his mother allowed him and his older brother to illegally work at a local meat packing plant . He has been doing overtime plus drives a school bus for over a year. He's worked days, middles, nights. You get the picture ! But, just like you and John we have struggled with family dynamics, resentments, addictions, the list is long. God always knows our true hearts desires. The brokenness we see in family can slowly break us. But we never give up !! May God continue to bless and strengthen your relationships as He prepares us all for the ultimate family reunion !! xoxo
Wow Mary. just wow. That's rough. 12? I can see my John's description on his bike at 10 to 12 with a paper route, just trying to save a little money with his single mom doing her thing. But a meat packing plant? No wonder we connect on such a deep and often unspoken level. Thank for this. You know this pain. Letting go and realizing we have no control, dropping all the flesh and turning it into happiness for others. Acceptance of your life as it's been and might continue to be is freedom. Freedom to love and to grow. The only thing we can control is our mind. Fill it with prayer, love. good living. repeat. Do it through every challenge, good and bad time. Just keep walking all the way to the big reunion, as you say!
Sending you much love. oxoxox
Your husband John is a good man; I already know that you are a good woman, Deborah. And you are both together and on the right track. I can tell from your writing, which comes from a good place--your heart. The bonds are stronger when united. No matter the hardships, this bond will carry you through. Love that photo from 1985. It brings back memories.
Thank you so much Perry. I believe the word "intent" is so meaningful in the framework of humanity. If our intentions are good. They've been good. We are sincerely so grateful for all we've been given. Now? we reach this miraculous place where we pick-up the third act and go forward on the path together. Blessed. Everyone has a life to live. We've lived much of it. It's good to let go and do what we can do. Like I said to my dear friend above... fill your life with prayer, love and good living. Plus a lot of Thanksgiving. John traded electrical work with our plumber friend, who brought his medium format camera up to our wedding, in the cabin. It was raining outside but we stood out there for family pictures! My little nana decided she would be on John's family's side next to his brother (we still crack up over it! ha ha!). It was a beautiful day. Good memories indeed! ox
Same here. Third Act is where we put all our experience to good use.
That's a great way to put it Perry! Definitely!
Endearing moments within all you have both endured ❤
Love this & Love you!!
Thank you brother. You've seen it all. It's a miracle we are still standing and stronger than ever. Thank you for your love and support always. You may not know this, but you were there at the beginning when we were slipping and I will never forget your wisdom.
I love you. ox
Deborah,
You are a beautiful writer. You and John are emotionally connected, and deep thinking people. I love your writing, it kept me engaged all the way through!
I wish I could put my thoughts and emotions on paper like you. Keep writing, love it! ❤️
Michelle.......Wayne's wife.
Oh gosh Michelle! Thank you so much for reading, for being here and for such a beautiful, kind and encouraging comment. I wish I had your talent for singing! Can't wait to see you both again :). Give my best to Wayne. Can you believe how long we've all lasted? It's definitely the music! The art of life. I love it. oxox