tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post2305837405224342509..comments2023-12-27T09:28:32.621-07:00Comments on Retired English Teacher: FamilySally Wesselyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06470453773515491625noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-34547595767339263312013-03-03T09:36:07.188-07:002013-03-03T09:36:07.188-07:00What a powerful, eloquent and moving post about th...What a powerful, eloquent and moving post about the importance of family. I admire how you have kept family close despite change -- for there is always change. And how you have pulled together through tragedy to stay strong and supportive. I loved the photos. It was fun to see them grow -- and I know why you love that photo they all hate! I think you are all very fortunate -- when I see fractured families that don't come back together, it makes me sad. I'm so glad for yours.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-47317306584373157052013-02-24T14:25:45.375-07:002013-02-24T14:25:45.375-07:00Family is a thing That makes us feel a connection ...Family is a thing That makes us feel a connection to a group. We struggle to live within it but that isn't always successful. And over time the whole idea of being united has taken a big cultures change. Travel and jobs have altered how we manage family life. Technology allows us to stay in touch instantly and how to sure remotely. I think it may change the way the future family will bond and hopefully for a stronger one.<br />Still there are family members who refuse to be in the group. It's their choice and we all have that freedom. That is a tricky one because of guilt issues we tend to create and develop.<br />Loved this and hope you are mending because hubby and you have had sad moments.Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMottehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16174142810114806410noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-31983571898876885522013-02-22T04:40:03.688-07:002013-02-22T04:40:03.688-07:00Families are important and I think it's inevit...Families are important and I think it's inevitable there will be some fallings out along the way; but family is usually always there for each other. Most of my family live 200 miles away but I've made a new life for myself, even though I know they will always be there.<br /><br />CJ xAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-70375982135156566932013-02-21T11:15:57.328-07:002013-02-21T11:15:57.328-07:00This post speaks so strongly to me, Sally. I have...This post speaks so strongly to me, Sally. I have admired how you've all pulled together to help cope with your loss. <br /><br />Ever since we've returned to Hawaii, we've tried to pull the extended family together. Otherwise, we only see each other at weddings and funerals. Family is so important and often times taken too much for granted. Your family is lucky to have you as a super glue that will hold everyone together long after you must leave.Kayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461569436322815787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-3031256195906060442013-02-21T08:25:26.073-07:002013-02-21T08:25:26.073-07:00I promise without really knowing anyone personally...I promise without really knowing anyone personally - IT WILL BE YOUR LEGACY! Chatty Cronehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02232040517217024681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-71237641310952893362013-02-20T16:10:39.522-07:002013-02-20T16:10:39.522-07:00Such an important post Sally. Who pushes our butto...Such an important post Sally. Who pushes our buttons and cares about us more than family? Your own family is so photogenic. I love the candid photos!Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04984171407726520584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-62283846116821859822013-02-20T11:09:47.205-07:002013-02-20T11:09:47.205-07:00This is a moving post. I am pleased that you had ...This is a moving post. I am pleased that you had family to support you in time of grief. It is certainly wonderful to have them too in time of happiness. But, you know, some people don’t have large families. My mother was an only child, my father had one sister but all the way in Egypt and I was alone too. They are all gone now. I have a second cousin left, but she lives near Paris. My husband’s family, which is not large either, is not close in either sense. So, I like to read how families are helpful and I am pleased that many people have them, but know that some don’t and sometimes it is not that easy, in this big country. Your family photos are heart warming.Vagabondehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10774109692564954568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-8785167920275960152013-02-20T09:42:04.037-07:002013-02-20T09:42:04.037-07:00Thank-you for this thoughtful, profound and touchi...Thank-you for this thoughtful, profound and touching tribute to the power, importance and wonderful variety of family relationships, Sally. Being new to your blog I didn't know you had lost a daughter and I'm so sorry.Perpetuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01214396019726161983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-87311224367906987642013-02-20T06:59:06.269-07:002013-02-20T06:59:06.269-07:00You are so right. Families are messy and complica...You are so right. Families are messy and complicated and fragile. This was so beautifully said...you have a lovely family. Joycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16727615822243830106noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-66347759827809859732013-02-19T21:59:36.141-07:002013-02-19T21:59:36.141-07:00Lovely, Sally. I hope our family is like that, too...Lovely, Sally. I hope our family is like that, too.Linda Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-34769078521332888812013-02-19T11:06:38.513-07:002013-02-19T11:06:38.513-07:00Dear Sally, this posting is so beautiful that I wi...Dear Sally, this posting is so beautiful that I wish it were available to every family in the world. So its members could read it and learn from it and grow in the love and forgiveness and laughter and tragedy that you so beautiful describe. Thank you for being such a fine human being. And a wonderful mother. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-51068783608902947142013-02-18T19:11:32.144-07:002013-02-18T19:11:32.144-07:00Family will always be FAMILY..first and foremost r...Family will always be FAMILY..first and foremost regardless of who is still with whom in my book!...:)JPjp@A Green Ridgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15217268829093983376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-26492891304186035852013-02-18T18:55:04.616-07:002013-02-18T18:55:04.616-07:00Our family is much the same. Wne've been chan...Our family is much the same. Wne've been changed by death and divorce, but are still strong. The American branch of my father's family was all together last week for my uncle's me mortal service. I am a Rayner by birth, but I sat at the service with my sister in law and my cousin's wife, who refer to themselves as not real Rayners. It's a family joke...we are all family and as we celebrated my uncles life, it was wonderful to have so much love and support. We are blessed.#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-57442059805133799892013-02-18T18:40:45.136-07:002013-02-18T18:40:45.136-07:00A wonderful post Sally. Now that my second son is ...A wonderful post Sally. Now that my second son is far away my technically former daughter in law who remarried after our sons death and then divorced is still our real daughter in law. We care much for her and no doubt will count on her much in the future....troutbirderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14087811292280881959noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-38075476824864166452013-02-18T16:39:48.943-07:002013-02-18T16:39:48.943-07:00You have a beautiful family. I love all these pict...You have a beautiful family. I love all these pictures, through the years, through the tears. Happiness and pain. Coming and going. It's all there. The one of the kids on the couch is just precious, as I'm sure you know since you included it with the admonition that the girls don't like it. You definitely have a legacy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-89164790466052521882013-02-18T11:58:08.517-07:002013-02-18T11:58:08.517-07:00I especially noticed what Keicha said: "Than...I especially noticed what Keicha said: "Thank you for never allowing our sibling rivalries to become all out wars." That is a huge contribution, Mom. We have some tensions among siblings, but I was really pleased when two of my brothers' ex-wives came to my Dad's funeral two summers ago. We all got along very nicely; it made the occasion very special. Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17223278142557533175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-47260420929562432592013-02-18T10:55:03.245-07:002013-02-18T10:55:03.245-07:00A very touching post, Sally, and a beautiful anthe...A very touching post, Sally, and a beautiful anthem for keeping families whole, even when tragedy strikes. It's about healing together, putting aside differences and looking forward to tomorrows knowing you will look out for each other! This is how we heal!Rosaria Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133147851332084180noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-11682233893130200032013-02-18T09:56:57.289-07:002013-02-18T09:56:57.289-07:00Absolutely. Divorce shouldn't mean the end of ...Absolutely. Divorce shouldn't mean the end of a relationship, just a change in the relationship. We shouldn't think it has to end in hate and resentment, but ... maybe with some regret, some nostalgia, but most of all with a resolve to move on together for the benefit of the children as well as everyone else. Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611148987085476580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-19582290251097716692013-02-18T09:31:49.576-07:002013-02-18T09:31:49.576-07:00I love the warmth and inclusiveness of your defini...I love the warmth and inclusiveness of your definition of family, Sally! Your acceptance of new spouses, boyfriends, in-laws and ex-in-laws and ex-spouses is so wonderful and so crucial to family harmony and happiness. I loved the family pictures of your five - and my heart ached for all of you once again with Julie's loss. Thank goodness your family has been such a comfort in the hardest times and such a joy every day.Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-63412541934474317852013-02-18T08:38:12.397-07:002013-02-18T08:38:12.397-07:00This was a hard post for me to read. I had to keep...This was a hard post for me to read. I had to keep stopping to wipe away tears. The pictures were even harder to look at. You're right, families are fluid, but just like you won't ever get over counting five heads like a mother hen, I'll never get over feeling the void left by Julie. Funny isn't it, how one person can leave such a giant void? Anyway, thank you for never allowing our sibling rivalries to become all out wars. We will always be there for each other.O-town Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12462693501650732288noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-66627622927595185842013-02-18T08:11:16.840-07:002013-02-18T08:11:16.840-07:00Hi Sally, I loved this post, seeing the photograp...Hi Sally, I loved this post, seeing the photographs of your precious family, growing up and laughing together. Knowing you, I have no doubt that the legacy of your love and commitment to your family will be held within each of their hearts; they will continue to be connected with their memories. <br /><br />Family is fluid. It does change . . . with the addition of significant others, through marriages, and births. When there is a divorce, or a death, we don't stop loving or forget about those who participated and built memories within our family. They are forever intwined, perhaps like the roots that support our family tree.<br /><br />Such a beautiful post, Sally. I'll be thinking about this today. Hugs to you, Sandi<br /><br />Sandihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15923693784234135636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-50248633888634358442013-02-18T07:24:24.081-07:002013-02-18T07:24:24.081-07:00It sounds, from the comments above, that you have ...It sounds, from the comments above, that you have been able to do a beautiful job of expressing the feelings that many of us have in our hearts about families. One of the things I am most grateful for is the relationships my children and their families have with each other.<br />You have indeed passed a great legacy of love of family to your children.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04810126999695733332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-86056696290257094562013-02-18T07:18:22.099-07:002013-02-18T07:18:22.099-07:00Thank you for a lovely post. It touched me deeply....Thank you for a lovely post. It touched me deeply. I won't go on and on about why, but let me just say that once someone is in your heart, they are there to stay. Out of sight is not out of mind once that heart connection is made.Lyniluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04742585512852240355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-9629706210825547512013-02-18T06:50:49.088-07:002013-02-18T06:50:49.088-07:00A beautifully written treatise about the importanc...A beautifully written treatise about the importance of family, and what the makeup of family actually is: more than just being born into a family, but a heart connection that never stops growing and changing. Thank you for this lovely post, Sally. DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7041834369094012241.post-68417844363743886022013-02-18T06:35:56.126-07:002013-02-18T06:35:56.126-07:00Such a well done post. You are so right. Pretty su...Such a well done post. You are so right. Pretty sure all families have their episodes of discord as well as the ones of shared love but they usually all have that "pull together" glue that binds them.<br />Loved the progression photos of your kids. Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.com