It's the first Wednesday of the month,
the day that members of the
Insecure Writer's Support Group
share their writing struggles
and writing successes
and offer their encouragement
and support to fellow writers.
To visit the IWSG website, click here.
To become a member of the IWSG, click here.
Our wonderful co-hosts who are volunteering today,
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and, Lee Lowery!
along with IWSG Founder Alex J. Cavanaugh are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and, Lee Lowery!
I hope you have a chance to visit today's hosts and thank them for co-hosting.
I'm sure they would appreciate a visit and an encouraging comment.
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Every month the IWSG announces a question that members can answer
with advice, insight, a personal experience, or a story in their IWSG posts.
if they aren't sure what to write about on IWSG Day.
Remember the question is optional.
This month's featured question is:
This month's featured question is:
Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This month's question is a poignant one, because it speaks to the holes in my heart
left by the deaths of my parents and two of my best friends in my life.
Each of them absolutely supported me, influenced me, inspired me,
and encouraged me,
especially with my writing and with reaching for my dreams.
They were there for me in the darkest hours of my life and in the happiest.
I miss them every single day, and sometimes my heart aches with their loss.
Mom and Dad with Newborn Me ~ Believing in Me from the Beginning
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
March 1950
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
so I can't share photos of my beloved and greatly-missed friends.
Fortunately, I am supported and influenced by amazing, living people:
my husband, our extended families, and my special friends.
I feel surrounded by love and I float, buoyed by their encouragement.
The Best of Friends, Cheri and Gary with Terry and Me
The Wigwam, Litchfield Park, Arizona, United States, USA
December 25, 2017
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
My Siblings and I: Donnie, Bertie, Roy, Barb, and Me
Mega Support and Influence for Me
Smith's Cove, Nova Scotia, Canada
August 1, 2018
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Terry and Me
Escoba, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
December 11, 2021
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Speaking of special people who encourage and influence others,
I want to remember a wonderful supporter of the IWSG
who is missed greatly by our Ninja Captain Alex and many members:
Jeremy Hawkins (Blog: Being Retro).
Rest in peace, Jeremy. You will be remembered with love and gratitude.
On January 3, we lost an amazing guy – Jeremy Hawkins.
On February 2, we are going to pay tribute and give back to one who was so giving and involved in our community.
To honor his life and support the family he leaves behind, on that day:
• Post a story or memory about Jeremy.
• Post photos of Jeremy.
• Share some of the graphics he made for you.
• Post a photo of you wearing one of the t-shirts he designed.
• And to support his family, between now and then, purchase one of his t-shirt designs, one of his books, or one of his prints. (He also created the IWSG t-shirt.)
Spread the word and let’s pay tribute to one of the most supportive and loyal guys ever to cross our paths, Jeremy Hawkins.
On February 2, we are going to pay tribute and give back to one who was so giving and involved in our community.
To honor his life and support the family he leaves behind, on that day:
• Post a story or memory about Jeremy.
• Post photos of Jeremy.
• Share some of the graphics he made for you.
• Post a photo of you wearing one of the t-shirts he designed.
• And to support his family, between now and then, purchase one of his t-shirt designs, one of his books, or one of his prints. (He also created the IWSG t-shirt.)
Spread the word and let’s pay tribute to one of the most supportive and loyal guys ever to cross our paths, Jeremy Hawkins.
My thanks to everyone for their kindness, understanding, and get well wishes
over the past two months.
I'm finally feeling like me again ~ Definitely much, much better!
I have some happy news to share!
Terry and I are thrilled about our new great nephew born in London (UK)
on New Year's Day: Jackson Arthur Taylor.
© Krista Mundry and Dean Taylor
All Rights Reserved
His parents are our niece Krista and her partner Dean.
My sister Donnie and my brother-in-law Martin are the happy grandparents.
Welcome to a huge family who will support you and surround you with love,
Jackson Arthur Taylor!
Krista and Dean with One Month Old Jackson!
© Krista Mundry and Dean Taylor All Rights Reserved
And influence you, Jackson ~ LOL!
Dad starts Jax off right with his favorite Chelsea team colors,
but I fear a pile of packages with different teams and kinds of football outfits
are landing in your parents' mailbox because of this photo. LOL!
You are destined to be an avid sports fan!
The Chelsea Fans
© Krista Mundry and Dean Taylor All Rights Reserved
Wishing you love and happiness this month!
I hope each of you has fun visiting around today.
Happy writing to each of you in February!
Till next time ~
Fundy Blue
https://selkiegrey4.blogspot.com
My next post will be on Friday, February 11.
Your supportive family is a result of your supportive parents. May that continue to be passed down for generations.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Alex! So far, so good! The closeness continues. Have a fun IWSG Day!
DeleteNever easy when people pass we are close to indeed.
ReplyDeletehaha oh yeah, the best part is influencing those little poop machines. Probably couldn't get away with wanker over there though, as that is far more common hahaha
Hahaha, Pat! My brother is just as zany as you, but in a slightly different way from you. And the kiddos turned out and are turning out to be wonderful human beings. Love, time, and attention is what matters, along with the fun.
DeleteA January first baby - my half-brother was also born that day.
ReplyDeleteSupportive parents are such a blessing.
Yes, they are, Diane! In my 25-year teaching career, I observed hundreds of families, and typically the children with supportive parents thrived. Have a good one!
DeleteWhat a lovely tribute to your parents and best friends. It is so difficult losing those that are so important to us.
ReplyDeleteAnd on the other end of the spectrum, many congrats on new life:)
Take special care.
Thanks, Sandra! It's amazing how much hope a precious new life brings to a family. I know that the world is a challenging place right now, but little Jax will have lots of love and guidance. Wishing you all the best!
DeleteYour blog has always been an inspiration to me, Louise. I find your words moving and motivating. You are a gift to our community.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind and lovely words, Joylene! You really lifted me up this morning. Have a happy day, my friend!
DeleteThank you Louise for a most delightful post, I too miss my mother who influenced me all through, also most recently I lost my youngest son John who left this world in 2018. Thanks for the lovely pics and congratulations on the birth of your great nephew, British I see,
ReplyDeleteHope all is well with you and family and take care.
Yvonne.
I know how devastating the loss of your mother and John have been from the words and pictures you have shared in your posts. Losing the people you love the most is the most painful thing in life. But love doesn't die. You carry that love always.
DeleteYes, a British boy. My niece Krista had graduated from university (Acadia) and was working in Toronto. After a few years, she announced that she needed to shake her life up and was moving to England ~ without a job! She's well-educated, intelligent, and personable, so she landed a good job quickly, met Dean not too long after, and they now have their first home in a row house in Wallington, and a baby boy. Life continues on. Terry, I, and many other family members are thrilled for them!
And lucky Krista has a humane and important almost year of maternity leave (Dean took some of it.). The USA doesn't provide for that, which are marks of shame and stupidity on my adopted country. I hope all is well with you and your loved ones! Sending you a big hug!
One of my nieces was new years eve, congrats by the way
ReplyDeleteI'm having a baby boy in June
Adam, I'm thrilled for you! You're going to be a great father!!!!!
DeleteThis is such a nice post, and I'm sure they'd be touched by this.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tonja! Have a happy day!
DeleteYou are certainly blessed to be surrounded by so many loving, supportive people! The photo of you with your parents is so heart-warming - pure love, not curated for likes or social media, just the miracle of birth. And all those new babies give us hope for the world. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! I know I'm blessed. Take care!
DeleteThose new babes must be so welcome. They don't fill the holes left by our other loved ones, but they do bring a new joy. Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lee! Have a good one!
DeleteIt's hard to lose the people we love, for sure. The importance of friends is not to be underestimated--it's one reason I'm moving back to Seattle.
ReplyDeleteYour mom looks about 13 in that picture of newborn you!
Good luck with your move, Rebecca! Seattle is a great city. Mom always looked young for her age. I was born a few months shy of her 25th birthday. Have a happy day!
DeleteWhat a sweet baby boy. Congrats to you all. Sadly, old people die, but new people are born all the time and take our humanity forward.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Olga. That's life, for sure. Wishing you a happy February!
ReplyDeleteWhile we might lose those precious gems in our lives, we can also gain new ones as life goes on. Congrats on baby Jackson!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a new baby in the family! It sounds like you have some wonderful memories of past supporters and many supporters going forward, as well.
ReplyDeleteJackson Arthur born on New Year's Day! A true Baby New Year! You and his parents must be proud.
ReplyDeleteMy mother was always my big supporter until she slipped deep into Alzhemiers. She read everything I published including my dissertation. My dad doesn't read as much. Congratulations on your new grand-niece. This seems to be the season to lose friends.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post, Louise! Such great memories.
ReplyDeleteBabies are just toooooo precious. Congratulations on the new addition to the family.
Love all your pics.
Aloha, my friends! Headed home! I'll catch up on your comments back in Colorado!
ReplyDeleteLovely pics and having them all support you must be wonderful. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette