19 Comments
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Rachael Gaskell's avatar

I too have saved this essay and beautiful poem, and I will return to it, hopefully. But in the spirit of your essay, if I don’t, that’s okay, it will sit quietly in my remembering, somewhere. I absolutely loved the line ‘Sometimes it’s the ache that remains when everyone else moves on’, I can so resonate with this. You have put words to something intangible, thank you for this. Just beautiful.

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

It surely will sit in the remembering ✨ its always been my hope to put words to the intangible, thank yo for noticing and for your words Rachael!

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Namrita Khosla's avatar

Beautiful piece Jennifer! Thank you for sharing. Here’s what came for me - slow down and take a pause. There’s breath, there’s life. There’s space. There’s time.

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Whitney Casal's avatar

I love the line “Some of what I carry in the margins isn’t waiting to be finished, but grieved.” So tender, simple yet complex, quiet yet enormous. It reminds me of the many dreams and ideas that have yet to be further developed - there are so many, and the reality of being human is that we can’t do it all. Letting go means grieving, and simultaneously making space. Thank you Jennifer 🤍

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

Your so right Whitney. Love what you said letting go is grieving but at the same time making space. 🤎🤎

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D.K. Rose's avatar

Life, especially when raising little ones, has a way of pushing things we cling to [creativity, time, purpose] to the edges. Thankfully, you have managed to keep it from fully slipping away. Some days that feels like a battle, but those beautiful things in the margins are worth it. You're doing great! Thank you for sharing your beautiful words.

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Countrywoman’s Guide's avatar

Such a beautiful essay - thank you!

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

Appreciate those kinds words!

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Clare Louise Larkin's avatar

So much beauty here - thank you for sharing 🌱

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

Thank you Clare, means a lot!

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Deborah Craytor's avatar

So much beauty here, and so many quotes transferred to my commonplace book.

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Georg Cook's avatar

So many thought provoking sentences, thank you for your words 🩵

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Jordan Williams's avatar

So beautiful and thought provoking. Generous and inviting and inspiring. Thanks for sharing your words with the world 🤍

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Leslie Rasmussen's avatar

Jennifer, I have saved this essay, I know I will want to return again and again, to savor and remember to look and attend my world. I am getting old and have a lifetime of glimmers, marginal notes, beginnings-- in drawers, cupboards and even digital pockets. I enjoy finding them like abandoned shells, but they also have a poignant urgency now, a sense of so much left unfinished. Your essay tenderly acknowledged their inherent value as part of my life, just as they are.

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

Leslie, this is beautiful and special. They are so important and I hope you catch as many as you can on paper, the world would love them. 🤎

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Sally Jupe's avatar

So inspiring Jennifer. 💛 I wish I’d had the depth of thought, vision and skill to impart this amazing beauty when I first became a mother at 20, almost 47 years ago. Thank you.

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

It’s a day by day and most of the time moment by moment learning for me for sure. Thank you for your kinds and encouraging words. 🤎✨

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Beth Kephart's avatar

My goodness. How beautiful. I am honored to be with you today, and on your journey.

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Jennifer Edewaard's avatar

Thank you Beth, for your words that inspire and breathe life into the margins of my life. Grateful!!!

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