What a lovely essay and wonderful description of your husband’s feeling that the trees appreciate him and his attention to them. You certainly don’t need anyone to point out that you are a fortunate woman, your gratitude is in every word you write about your beloveds. Thank you.
This is just so lovely, you brought tears to my eyes. It was the birds, and how you folded them into your family, and the forest, and your beloved husband, and the trees appreciating, not just him (is my guess ... ), but ALL and EACH of you.
I am happy for Ezra's first steps (!!!), and for your daughter's forays into independence, and for your eldest in all he does (I'm the eldest of five, so I know what being the groundbreaker is like).
Know this, Shanley: you are an extraordinary mother, wife, daughter, friend, writer. You see more than most, and appreciate it, and you are able to piece together a seamless fabric of your reality and share it with the world. And the world is hungry for such loving observations, and for the loving actions that follow.
So, as always, thank you, and keep on keeping on. Your loving heart, so open and full, is always welcome.
I've been enjoying your writing for some time now but have neglected leaving you a note. I want you to know how very much your words have meant. Your political commentary is obviously very important but reading about your family, the fairy garden, the woods, the wonderful news that you were able to get your home...all makes my day start like having coffee with a dear friend. Thank you for caring and sharing SO much, even when it can be so very difficult. Maybe we can be "distant neighbors", from my woods in Maine to yours. ❤️
Love your letters. It's a joy to watch my grown children live their lives and the one who has two children of his own. My granddaughters 15 & one 18 2 days ago. They are growing up to to beautiful young women in spirit and kindness and ambition.
I read and enjoy your writing (and Mary's) every day. I related to some particulars in this one. Mothers and daughters ... no need to say more ... LOL!! The trees feel your husband's loving presence and support ... one of the best feelings in the world when you become sensitive to it.
As much as we all love to read your essays, I think (for me) the writing would be therapeutic and self-actualizing because you sit down and reflect and put words to your feelings. You express in loving language what family means day to day beyond the chores and noise and frustrations. That practice solidifies the warm memories in your brain and reminds you at heart level of the meaning of your life. I guess it's like stopping to smell the roses rather than just seeing all the weeds you just pulled yesterday and need to pull again. I don't have kids but I have 2 cats and I love that of all places they could snug in for the night, they want to be in bed with me (like your daughter). I love that my touch starts immediate purring (like Ezra). I love that we talk to each other ... literally ... and have formed a language for our lives in our house (like your family).
I really love the way you talk about your family. The love just radiates. My son and his family live in New Zealand and it’s a remarkable country. We wish it wasn’t so far away from Minnesota but it’s a fabulous place for my 3 grandchildren to live and for us to visit.
Thank you so much, Shanley! Your family true stories are the high point of my day. And the way you tie them in with heartwarming news items, or with our current political debacle, makes them profound.
Read and enjoyed, all the way from over here in New Zealand
What a lovely essay and wonderful description of your husband’s feeling that the trees appreciate him and his attention to them. You certainly don’t need anyone to point out that you are a fortunate woman, your gratitude is in every word you write about your beloveds. Thank you.
Your writing captivates me. I read every word! There's so much warmth and honesty in your anecdotes. Thank you!
you are an extraordinary role model for what it means to be a thinking, caring human being. thank you for being you.
This is just so lovely, you brought tears to my eyes. It was the birds, and how you folded them into your family, and the forest, and your beloved husband, and the trees appreciating, not just him (is my guess ... ), but ALL and EACH of you.
I am happy for Ezra's first steps (!!!), and for your daughter's forays into independence, and for your eldest in all he does (I'm the eldest of five, so I know what being the groundbreaker is like).
Know this, Shanley: you are an extraordinary mother, wife, daughter, friend, writer. You see more than most, and appreciate it, and you are able to piece together a seamless fabric of your reality and share it with the world. And the world is hungry for such loving observations, and for the loving actions that follow.
So, as always, thank you, and keep on keeping on. Your loving heart, so open and full, is always welcome.
I've been enjoying your writing for some time now but have neglected leaving you a note. I want you to know how very much your words have meant. Your political commentary is obviously very important but reading about your family, the fairy garden, the woods, the wonderful news that you were able to get your home...all makes my day start like having coffee with a dear friend. Thank you for caring and sharing SO much, even when it can be so very difficult. Maybe we can be "distant neighbors", from my woods in Maine to yours. ❤️
Wonderful essay, Shanley! I love that you are present in every moment of your life. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.
Love your letters. It's a joy to watch my grown children live their lives and the one who has two children of his own. My granddaughters 15 & one 18 2 days ago. They are growing up to to beautiful young women in spirit and kindness and ambition.
I read and enjoy your writing (and Mary's) every day. I related to some particulars in this one. Mothers and daughters ... no need to say more ... LOL!! The trees feel your husband's loving presence and support ... one of the best feelings in the world when you become sensitive to it.
As much as we all love to read your essays, I think (for me) the writing would be therapeutic and self-actualizing because you sit down and reflect and put words to your feelings. You express in loving language what family means day to day beyond the chores and noise and frustrations. That practice solidifies the warm memories in your brain and reminds you at heart level of the meaning of your life. I guess it's like stopping to smell the roses rather than just seeing all the weeds you just pulled yesterday and need to pull again. I don't have kids but I have 2 cats and I love that of all places they could snug in for the night, they want to be in bed with me (like your daughter). I love that my touch starts immediate purring (like Ezra). I love that we talk to each other ... literally ... and have formed a language for our lives in our house (like your family).
I really love the way you talk about your family. The love just radiates. My son and his family live in New Zealand and it’s a remarkable country. We wish it wasn’t so far away from Minnesota but it’s a fabulous place for my 3 grandchildren to live and for us to visit.
What a wonderful essay. I so enjoy reading about your family.
♥️
What a lovely, caring family you have. A ray of hope and light in an often dark world.
I wish there was a bigger word than Thank you. But for now that'll have to do.
Thank you so much, Shanley! Your family true stories are the high point of my day. And the way you tie them in with heartwarming news items, or with our current political debacle, makes them profound.