Thank you so much Julie. It’s a bit between the lines. My collective thoughts after each gathering. We went through a lot, like so many, in 2020 through 2022. Loss, estrangement.
Dear Jenn, it was such a between the lines piece. We are healing slowly. The get togethers are mostly these parties and a few family gatherings that we cherish. The reunion all began at a party, one day's notice - after over two years. So maybe what I wrote makes more sense. I just pour what I don't know how to speak. I love the old pictures too. I love my family. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I know it's a busy season with you and the kids back at school! I have my last year babysitting the youngest! Where does time go? ox
Enjoy your last year; what a blessing to be able to babysit. Your love of your family shines through in your writing , it is lovely and warm. Sometimes I feel hugged just reading your stories ☺️
It truly is a blessing. And thank you Jenn. I feel the same way about your writing and art. I'd love to hug you all!! (I also haven't let go of owning a piece of your work! Someday I will!). I will be in touch about a podcast soon! oxox
It’s my understanding the brain and heart are one organ in the earliest stages of a human fetus growth. But then later in development it’s they separate into two different organs, but they are always connected. Jesus talks about controlling in our hearts with our minds.
Both Randy and I are somewhat estranged from our families. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s one of those hardships which we know will strengthen us spiritually, but all the same our hearts cry. 😢 ♥️ Sending you much love and empathy Deborah ✨✨✨
Charlotte, yes! I was just quoting from the Bible about "guarding your heart" and reading how God's intention in creating us was to have our brain be our heart ❤️ - Our son and family's walked into a family birthday party after over two years of silence and prayers in the fall of 2022 (and a lot of agony - hence why I began to write, as my dad died during that time too) - and we go to parties now and this was remembering the first one (God was holding us up as I saw the beautiful day and memories) and just letting God write our story.
I've been back at babysitting my daughter's little one this week - so I will catchup soon! I'm sorry for the estrangements in our lives. We just have to push on and pray God's plan for our families and our future is best. And keep going and living, creating.
Thank you so much for this Mariska. This has blessed me today. Yes. May all the broken families, with great potential, reconcile here on earth, and if not then, then especially one day in heaven. ox
Dear Mariska, I am so glad this touched you. It seems a lot of us took to writing through grief. Thank you for your comment and this verse from Psalms. I was putting some vintage snaps together this morning for another podcast with my mom/mum and saw an old picture of the first dog we had that I adored and clung to. It reminded me of this piece I wrote. I realized today it was one week before our oldest son would walk into a birthday party with his family, after 2.5 years of silence and ambivalence. https://deborahthewitt.substack.com/p/the-heart-of-grief
It's so true mom. We can learn much from our pets. Uninhibited from all the worldly ways, (except for what man does to them)- it's life simplified. Love you. ox
I truly miss them❣️ After my Dad passed, back in January 2009, a friend said that she saw my Dad with what looked like a small Golden Retriever at his feet❣️ That was Shaggy, the 🐕 dog we had since I was in the 2nd grade❣️ He slept on my bed every night❣️ My first fur baby!!
They are so special❣️ I’m thankful for all of our fur babies that we’ve been honored to be part of our family. Teddy, an adorable little cockapoo, that we got a few months after we were first married❣️ He was Karrie’s protector!!
Thank You Deb, for writing such beautifully brilliant pieces!! I agree with you, with God all things are possible❣️ He is always with us, especially when we pray 🙏 to Him for guidance. It seems so long ago that we lived in Upland… the place where our children mostly grew up❣️ Karrie had just turned 12yo and Adam (our youngest) had just turned 6yo. He got to take kindergarten again, only this time it was longer and he got to take a lunch! He was sooo shy back then.
My goodness how time does fly by… whether we’re having fun or not! And we just keep moving forward… 😉😊☺️
Just catching up with these now. Been a stressful couple of weeks.
There are some truly wonderful lines in here Deborah. I particularly enjoyed the beginning, some fabulous imagery, took me there.
And the photos of your son and grandchild too. Just beautiful xx
Thank you so much Julie. It’s a bit between the lines. My collective thoughts after each gathering. We went through a lot, like so many, in 2020 through 2022. Loss, estrangement.
Being here, writing, has been life giving. ox
Insightful
Thank you. A lot of between the lines in life, right?
Beautiful, Deb. Praying for you and your family; praying for the wounds to heal. The pictures are precious ❤️
Dear Jenn, it was such a between the lines piece. We are healing slowly. The get togethers are mostly these parties and a few family gatherings that we cherish. The reunion all began at a party, one day's notice - after over two years. So maybe what I wrote makes more sense. I just pour what I don't know how to speak. I love the old pictures too. I love my family. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. I know it's a busy season with you and the kids back at school! I have my last year babysitting the youngest! Where does time go? ox
Enjoy your last year; what a blessing to be able to babysit. Your love of your family shines through in your writing , it is lovely and warm. Sometimes I feel hugged just reading your stories ☺️
It truly is a blessing. And thank you Jenn. I feel the same way about your writing and art. I'd love to hug you all!! (I also haven't let go of owning a piece of your work! Someday I will!). I will be in touch about a podcast soon! oxox
You are welcome, and I’ll talk to you soon! ❤️
It’s my understanding the brain and heart are one organ in the earliest stages of a human fetus growth. But then later in development it’s they separate into two different organs, but they are always connected. Jesus talks about controlling in our hearts with our minds.
Both Randy and I are somewhat estranged from our families. It’s heartbreaking, but it’s one of those hardships which we know will strengthen us spiritually, but all the same our hearts cry. 😢 ♥️ Sending you much love and empathy Deborah ✨✨✨
Charlotte, yes! I was just quoting from the Bible about "guarding your heart" and reading how God's intention in creating us was to have our brain be our heart ❤️ - Our son and family's walked into a family birthday party after over two years of silence and prayers in the fall of 2022 (and a lot of agony - hence why I began to write, as my dad died during that time too) - and we go to parties now and this was remembering the first one (God was holding us up as I saw the beautiful day and memories) and just letting God write our story.
I've been back at babysitting my daughter's little one this week - so I will catchup soon! I'm sorry for the estrangements in our lives. We just have to push on and pray God's plan for our families and our future is best. And keep going and living, creating.
Love you friend. Thank you for this. ox
Thanks for sharing this story … I appreciate the content
Thank you so much Jules. It’s very much heartfelt and a bit between the lines. With God, all things are possible. He’s got us. He writes our story. ox
May all of us taking to writing in grief, soon share writings of joy.
My biggest prayer is for all families to reconcile.
We can cling on to the hope of Jesus always.
May God bless the words you write, may it bear beautiful seeds and fruits of comfort, healing and encouragement.
Thank you for being a blessing to me.
Thank you so much for this Mariska. This has blessed me today. Yes. May all the broken families, with great potential, reconcile here on earth, and if not then, then especially one day in heaven. ox
Again your writing touch my heart and soul.
Psalm 23:6 I pray over you and your beautiful family.
Dear Mariska, I am so glad this touched you. It seems a lot of us took to writing through grief. Thank you for your comment and this verse from Psalms. I was putting some vintage snaps together this morning for another podcast with my mom/mum and saw an old picture of the first dog we had that I adored and clung to. It reminded me of this piece I wrote. I realized today it was one week before our oldest son would walk into a birthday party with his family, after 2.5 years of silence and ambivalence. https://deborahthewitt.substack.com/p/the-heart-of-grief
We can always count on our pets to to love us unconditionally, and really wish that mindset was embedded in human emotions.
It's so true mom. We can learn much from our pets. Uninhibited from all the worldly ways, (except for what man does to them)- it's life simplified. Love you. ox
Yes! We Loved Our Dear Pets❣️
They gave us unconditional love… always.
I truly miss them❣️ After my Dad passed, back in January 2009, a friend said that she saw my Dad with what looked like a small Golden Retriever at his feet❣️ That was Shaggy, the 🐕 dog we had since I was in the 2nd grade❣️ He slept on my bed every night❣️ My first fur baby!!
They are so special❣️ I’m thankful for all of our fur babies that we’ve been honored to be part of our family. Teddy, an adorable little cockapoo, that we got a few months after we were first married❣️ He was Karrie’s protector!!
I agree with your Mum❣️
Much love to you both❣️❣️
Thank You Deb, for writing such beautifully brilliant pieces!! I agree with you, with God all things are possible❣️ He is always with us, especially when we pray 🙏 to Him for guidance. It seems so long ago that we lived in Upland… the place where our children mostly grew up❣️ Karrie had just turned 12yo and Adam (our youngest) had just turned 6yo. He got to take kindergarten again, only this time it was longer and he got to take a lunch! He was sooo shy back then.
My goodness how time does fly by… whether we’re having fun or not! And we just keep moving forward… 😉😊☺️