13 Comments
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Janelle's avatar

The peaceful calm of winter. Let's all take in each moment. Hugs to all!

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Thank you Janelle! Love you lots.

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LeAnn Elkins's avatar

So nice you all had that time on Saturday with Wally❤️

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Thank you LeAnn! Grateful for your love.

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Suzette Swynenburg's avatar

Thank you so much Kert for this wonderful journey. You are so special and your dad feels your love and appreciates you so much. Thank you for my private message it brought tears of joy and sadness at the same time. Love to you and the family❤️❤️

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Thank you Suzette. Right now, Dad seems to be appreciating me more when I bring him more strawberry ice cream! In my 57 years of life, never did I know THAT was his favorite flavor. Go figure the things one learns at times like these.

And yes, “tears of joy and sadness”—at the exact same time. Sounds human to me. Dad is Eldering me by teaching they always come as a pair those two; but together, their inseparable bond is essential to beauty, meaning, and love.

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Thank you for creating this space to reflect and share an important part of your dad's life and, inexorably, yours. Your story echoes mine--first, my mom. Then, my dad. You learn a lot as you mourn and laugh while they're still here. You're doing it right though, treasuring each moment, documenting the journey, and evolving through the experience. A Ukrainian proverb says that "the fear of death takes away the joy of living." Thank you for keeping the joy of living alive while your dad is still here. Warm wishes to you and your family.

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

BTW: that Ukrainian proverb—wow! THAT says everything about a people currently in the midst of intense struggle. So THAT is where their resilience comes from! Thank you for sharing that.

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Yes. I am learning a lot about the cultural orientations that drive people through their proverbs. When you can, read a reflection on another of their proverbs. It was a fitting way for me to start the year and share with others. Check it out here: https://www.proverbsonblast.com/p/14-when-you-enter-a-great-enterprise

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

YOU are a gift, Soul Sister! I met a new friend today, thank you.

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Kert Lenseigne 🌱's avatar

Tomi, and here I didn’t think it could get better. I just saw what you did—and it brought me to tears. You are a beautiful soul—and I can feel that to my soul. I so want our paths to cross at some point in the future. I would love to have wide conversation about Native wisdom, culture, Elderhood and Sagehood, Soul, and authenticity with you. You have referenced a couple specific posts that you are right to be very proud of. Is there one in particular that stands above all others? (I know that’s like choosing your favorite child, or book. But I thought I’d ask!).

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

Hmmmm, thinking about that. My answer at this time is the 2-part series on gratitude. That was all I could think about during thanksgiving. So, I shared my reflections on a Nigerian and a Greek proverb in these posts:

https://www.proverbsonblast.com/p/7-if-something-that-was-to-chop-off

https://www.proverbsonblast.com/p/8-even-a-hen-after-it-drinks-water

I don't know which would be my favorite by the end of the year. It's a wisdom quest and the journey continues. When you get a chance, also check out the additional things I started doing with the proverbs here: https://justproverbs.com

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Tomi Daniel's avatar

I feel the same. This is why getting out and being out and about in the community helps. Glad I found you.

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