Faith, Family, and the beauty of Everyday Grace

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Dear Younger Me
grief, Life Debbie Prather grief, Life Debbie Prather

Dear Younger Me

May 14, 1985 

Dad died in the hospital today. Why, why, why, why, why? Why wasn't I taken instead? Mom, Karen, and the boys could live fine without me. How will any of us survive without Dad?

June 9, 2023 

Dear Younger Me, 

These are such good questions.

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true gold
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

true gold

They know all your secrets.

They can name your old elementary and high school crushes, your most embarrassing moments, and your biggest regrets.

They know the one you love and the ones that got away.

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your people
faith Debbie Prather faith Debbie Prather

your people

She looked breathtaking in her wedding dress.

When her nine bridesmaids danced through the bedroom door to get a first glimpse, many of their eyes filled with tears. They were happy for her and overcome with joy to see their dear friend wearing the gown she'd soon be married in.

Hosting the entire wedding party for the three previous days was exhilarating. What I had anticipated to be an exhausting week turned out to be life-giving and energizing.

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out of the mouths of my babies
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

out of the mouths of my babies

After I'd kissed and tucked him in, he sat up and said very sweetly, "Mom, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but you smell bad at night. I don't know why ... I don't want to hurt your feelings though."

I gargled with mouthwash and put some perfume on. I went back into his room as he was falling asleep.  I asked three year old Collin if I was smelling better now. He smiled drowsily and said, "You do!  What did you do?  Put some make-up on?"

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homesick at home
family Debbie Prather family Debbie Prather

homesick at home

I once read that you start saying goodbye to your child the moment you give birth.

Trusting another to watch them for an hour, their first crawl and first steps, the beginning of pre-school, start of kindergarten, first time sleeping away from home—on and on the goodbyes go.

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these kind of days
Debbie Prather Debbie Prather

these kind of days

I awoke to the alarm this morning at five thirty, heart pounding, with a list of things I must accomplish today running through my head.

First off, dentist appointment. Next, dress, gift, and grocery shopping before returning home to clean the bathroom. Then, send a card, finish emails, and make a meal to bring to a new mom.

My self-imposed agenda was growing by the second.

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