Very moving story, Derek. After reading Daniels tribute to your Mom and this story which focused on the environment she worked to create in the Yellow House, the picture in my mind of your Mom is one of a completely selfless, giving, loving person - what we should all strive to be and what appears to have had great impact on you and Daniel.
She was all those things indeed. She had her flaws for sure but there was nothing that was going to get in her way of showing love to her sons. I thank God for that every day.
"The Yellow House was a house full of laughter and overflowing with love." The best kind; you were and are blessed. My wife and I are in a relatively small red house, and I hope it's as filled with laughter and love as yours was.
For me, one place is probably the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville; it's where I became Catholic, it's where I and my wife attended Mass first, and it's there, above all else, that I feel like I know God is there. To borrow a line from a Lemony Snicket book, the world is quiet there. For me, that is sacred.
Decision-wise, well, one small and seemingly unimportant decision was deciding to attend a friend's wedding reception once, because it turned out that there was a girl I'd connected with on Facebook who was also there who was friends with the groom's sister and had literally walked past me, and we realized we were both there and started talking, and then we dated, and long story short we're married and have a toddler now. :)
Love that line from Leony Snicket. When the world is quiet and everything seems in order, that is indeed a sacred space.
And what a lovely story on how you met your wife! I'm sure your forever grateful you attened that reeption. Thank you for sharing. I love the retrospective tales and how we can see God's hand at work so clearly afterwards.
Beautifully written! God always provides the best stories and makes everything beautiful in His time. Love your heart! ❤️. May God richly bless you and your family. 🙏
Wonderful story Derek. My father grew up in a house much kike the yellow house, he and his father actually built it by themselves during the Great Depression. I have fond memories of going there when I was a child.
Had it not been my mum's decision to move to Dubbo with my dad, sister, and I, I wouldn't have met the love of my life, been a part of an amazing community, and had the opportunity to help take care of my mum as she laid on her bed, in a medicated coma, teasing us with how long she could go without taking that much needed breath.
15th of April, 2021, was the day mum left us. She never got to see me perform, graduate, start uni, and marry my lovely husband. She will never see her grandkids.
It breaks my heart to think of these things, and yet, her passing brought a strange blessing. I grew stronger in my faith and resilience, something that she had demonstrated my whole life as she fought for what she believed in and always being there for those who needed her. I may not have a specific place that I can connect with her and how much she loved me, but I will always have those memories.
Memories of her dancing in the kitchen with me, playing the drums at church as I sang and dad played the piano, her staying up late to help me through an assignment, trying to convince me to become the youngest politician in her political party, and her feet tapping to the playlist I had created specifically to give her the energy to stand up.
Memories of her yelling in pain as I administered the morphine, her laying on the floor eating chocolate and giggling as her children entertained her with all the jokes we knew, and her critiquing the spaghetti bolognese my boyfriend (husband-to-be) made for her on one of the few times he ever saw her.
Memories of her giving me her blessing to marry him.
I am forever blessed by her love and support.
Thank you Derek for your beautiful story about your mum and the Yellow House. It is one of the most lovely things I've read in a long time.
Thank you for reading, Caitie and for sharing part of your story. This quote of yours below in particular is such a great notion. Indeed, these hardships serve to strengthen us in our faith and equip us to be better servants to those we still have with us. ...
"It breaks my heart to think of these things, and yet, her passing brought a strange blessing. I grew stronger in my faith and resilience, something that she had demonstrated my whole life as she fought for what she believed in and always being there for those who needed her. "
Thanks for sharing this again, Derek. What a wonderful tribute to your mother and an important reflection on how seemingly innocuous moments in life reverberate through the years.
Very moving story, Derek. After reading Daniels tribute to your Mom and this story which focused on the environment she worked to create in the Yellow House, the picture in my mind of your Mom is one of a completely selfless, giving, loving person - what we should all strive to be and what appears to have had great impact on you and Daniel.
Thanks for reading Cork!
She was all those things indeed. She had her flaws for sure but there was nothing that was going to get in her way of showing love to her sons. I thank God for that every day.
Thanks @Dixie Dillon Lane for reading and sharing!
We are all here together! ❤️
"The Yellow House was a house full of laughter and overflowing with love." The best kind; you were and are blessed. My wife and I are in a relatively small red house, and I hope it's as filled with laughter and love as yours was.
For me, one place is probably the Cathedral of the Assumption in Louisville; it's where I became Catholic, it's where I and my wife attended Mass first, and it's there, above all else, that I feel like I know God is there. To borrow a line from a Lemony Snicket book, the world is quiet there. For me, that is sacred.
Decision-wise, well, one small and seemingly unimportant decision was deciding to attend a friend's wedding reception once, because it turned out that there was a girl I'd connected with on Facebook who was also there who was friends with the groom's sister and had literally walked past me, and we realized we were both there and started talking, and then we dated, and long story short we're married and have a toddler now. :)
Love that line from Leony Snicket. When the world is quiet and everything seems in order, that is indeed a sacred space.
And what a lovely story on how you met your wife! I'm sure your forever grateful you attened that reeption. Thank you for sharing. I love the retrospective tales and how we can see God's hand at work so clearly afterwards.
Beautifully written! God always provides the best stories and makes everything beautiful in His time. Love your heart! ❤️. May God richly bless you and your family. 🙏
Thank you! And thanks for reading!
Wonderful story Derek. My father grew up in a house much kike the yellow house, he and his father actually built it by themselves during the Great Depression. I have fond memories of going there when I was a child.
I don't get a chance to read much these days on Substack, but glad I was able to read this. Thank you!
Thanks for reading and for your kind words. I truly appreciate you taking the time.
So beautifully written. I love this! And yes, your wife and children are beautiful in every way.
Thank you Kelly!
Providence is a many splendored thing. What a blessing to be able to see God's hand in our lives.
This was a delight to read. I pray we can create this same atmosphere in our home. Thanks for sharing 🥰
Thanks for reading!
Had it not been my mum's decision to move to Dubbo with my dad, sister, and I, I wouldn't have met the love of my life, been a part of an amazing community, and had the opportunity to help take care of my mum as she laid on her bed, in a medicated coma, teasing us with how long she could go without taking that much needed breath.
15th of April, 2021, was the day mum left us. She never got to see me perform, graduate, start uni, and marry my lovely husband. She will never see her grandkids.
It breaks my heart to think of these things, and yet, her passing brought a strange blessing. I grew stronger in my faith and resilience, something that she had demonstrated my whole life as she fought for what she believed in and always being there for those who needed her. I may not have a specific place that I can connect with her and how much she loved me, but I will always have those memories.
Memories of her dancing in the kitchen with me, playing the drums at church as I sang and dad played the piano, her staying up late to help me through an assignment, trying to convince me to become the youngest politician in her political party, and her feet tapping to the playlist I had created specifically to give her the energy to stand up.
Memories of her yelling in pain as I administered the morphine, her laying on the floor eating chocolate and giggling as her children entertained her with all the jokes we knew, and her critiquing the spaghetti bolognese my boyfriend (husband-to-be) made for her on one of the few times he ever saw her.
Memories of her giving me her blessing to marry him.
I am forever blessed by her love and support.
Thank you Derek for your beautiful story about your mum and the Yellow House. It is one of the most lovely things I've read in a long time.
Thank you for reading, Caitie and for sharing part of your story. This quote of yours below in particular is such a great notion. Indeed, these hardships serve to strengthen us in our faith and equip us to be better servants to those we still have with us. ...
"It breaks my heart to think of these things, and yet, her passing brought a strange blessing. I grew stronger in my faith and resilience, something that she had demonstrated my whole life as she fought for what she believed in and always being there for those who needed her. "
Yellow is the perfect color for your house, just sunshine. See your mom's light in you.Thank for for sharing with us, Derek.
Thanks for reading! What a perfect analogy. The house is still a source of light in my life!
Thanks for sharing this again, Derek. What a wonderful tribute to your mother and an important reflection on how seemingly innocuous moments in life reverberate through the years.
A beautiful, haunting, graceful reflection. Thanks for sharing this.