16 Comments
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David E. Roy  Ph.D.'s avatar

There is wholeness in your telling that is warm and loving, the best of human nature…memorializing the better angels of our nature.

MCKENNA LINN's avatar

Another fabulous essay. Your writing, your insights, are a joy to read. Thank you again.

Patricia Davis's avatar

Congratulations on the house. Applause for the courage, the rescue. Thanks for a great lifting story.

DASP's avatar

I absolutely love to read what you have written. This particular piece touched my heart in a special way. I needed that today. Thank you.

Andrea Jepson's avatar

I don’t even know where to start to thank you for this essay. It hit everything I needed to hear. Courage, hope, love, energy, nature, bear baby movement, so many happy endings. My heart is full. Mahalo from Oahu

Tanya Huertas's avatar

Congratulations on the house & May your lives continue to fill its walls with love, laughter and your beautiful stories.

Nancy Harmon Jenkins's avatar

Just simply thank you for this.

Joyce Emrick deLinas's avatar

Wow! Love it. This brought me teary eyes, but feeling so much gratitude for our everyday heroes. What a great talent you have to make us feel all the things so vividly.

Dian Allison's avatar

What an absolutely beautiful article, Shanley! It's as nourishing as a bowl of homemade soup. Thank you so much for being a beacon of sanity and hope in these demoralizing times. I love the way you tie your own observations, your family, and the larger world together so well.

Lou ann clark's avatar

Such beautiful writing. Wonderful stories❤️

sally plumly's avatar

I have no words , but you do. Gracias

Laurie Trombley's avatar

I needed this today. It's perfect. Thank you, Shanley.

Congrats on 5th anniversary. Happy Birthday to Pa. Such gratitude and admiration for the rescuer. Yay for Ezra's bear walk and tooth. You have emanated so much love into and for your home that I'm sure the structure has soaked it up, and the soil and trees are drenched in it ... even the fungii are drinking in love's magical powers. The garden fairies are sparkling with love dust.

One more thing. I'm SO VERY UPSET by the phenomenally ignorant Governor Abbott of Texas bringing an elephant to his rally. I read they rented the poor creature from a place with a long history of animal abuse. I just can't stop thinking about it. Could everyone please send good thoughts and wishes to the Universe for that elephant to go to a loving sanctuary.

Dorothy Pullen's avatar

Humanity is not about grand gestures so much as ordinary people who instinctively help others. Thanks for the reminder Shanley. We're all just walking each other home. The Hurt family is now home. May joy and laughter fill those four walls today and always.

Pat Dickson's avatar

Shanley. I see, feel and smell everything when you write. You pull me out of my life and into what you are writing. With this one you brought me joy, hope, appreciation, amazement and gratitude. Thank you so very much and I am also so very glad that you home is finally YOUR HOME!

Dorothy's avatar

What a wonderful post! Thank you!

Kelly's avatar

My daughter walked right into the water twice when she was a toddler. No fear for her but immediate response from me!! Happy Anniversary to you and your husband. 🌹