Childhood, Family, Favorite Things, Grief, Life

what i kept – august 2024

Kari

i began writing this monthly post unintentionally in may 2022, motivated by an unexpected and deeply personal loss. your engagement with these posts means so much to me. i wasn’t sure i would continue after that summer, but now, it has become a cherished part of my monthly routine.

thank you for reading along each month.

these posts summed up in poetry 🖤 (source)
@comfort_tv_

In memory of Robin Williams 💔 21 Jul 1951 – 11 August 2014. Mrs Doubtfire (1993) Shot Vertically. #film #movie #Love #family #nostalgia #nostalgic #90s #90smovies #jacobandthestone #trending #trendingsound #robinwilliams #shotvertically #filmedvertically #mrsdoubtfire #cinema #cinematography #fyp #fypp #fypage #fyppppppppppppppppppppppp #fypviralシ #quotes #moviequotes #robinwilliams #robinwilliamstribute #rip

♬ Jacob and the Stone (Slowed) – Emile Mosseri & sped up + slowed
a work of art 🖤
source
the morning light is changing…
biscuits brought this in on his fur
i really, really do…

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58 thoughts on “what i kept – august 2024”

  2. Your dogs’ footsies give me cuteness overload every time.

    My one and only dog passed decades ago & I still remember her perfect footsies with their pretty black nails the exact color and sheen as fossilized shark’s teeth. I wish I had pictures.

    Give your dogs a hug from me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I adore their little feet!

      I’m so glad I document my dogs here. I recently saw someone who had a painted print of their dog’s paw prints framed on their wall, and it was just so heartwarming.

      I just did. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  3. The At least poem is so sad

    We don’t have communal traditions for grief or deaths – whether sudden or the long slow vanishing that is dementia, whether young or old.

    And also we are physically disconnected now. Words are the only way of showing support. No one can easily stop by to mow the lawn or deliver pie or sit and let you tell stories about the person you loved who is gone. Small simple things that do so much.

    I wonder if this leaves people adrift.

    They want to show their love for you but have no idea how. So they stumble.

    I spend a lot of time comforting others over the slow disappearance of my loved one. Or hearing how my lo “used to” or “was” this or that. My lo is still here.

    What is this “was”?

    It is confusing and sad for everyone.

    For my mental health, I choose to see any words as love. I will still get frustrated because I am human. But so are they. And I know they mean well.

    Sending you love Kari ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, Maddie, it feels like we’re on the same wavelength. The physical disconnection has been really tough. I wrote a post called “Grief Island” back in July, but I haven’t published it yet because I don’t want to come across as whiny. I think you can probably guess what it’s about from the title.

      “The slow disappearance of my loved one…” I’m sending you so much love, Maddie. If you ever want to talk, I’m here for you. Feel free to email me anytime at gracefullkari@yahoo.com—no pressure at all if you don’t feel up to it. I’m just leaving my email here in case it’s needed. We’re not meant to go through this alone. 😘

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Bless you Kari. You are the absolute sweetest.

        I’d be up for reading that post – even if just privately shared. You’re so right that we cannot go through this alone ❤️

        Right now I’m overwhelmed after a week of expected & unexpected events. Overwhelmed me just loses her words. (Your blog has always amazed me with your ability to put words to what you’re feeling.) But your kind invite means so much to me. *Hugs*

        Liked by 1 person

      2. I’d be happy to share it with you privately if you’d like. Maybe someday I’ll find the courage to share it here. I worry about overwhelming everyone with so much grief talk, even though no one has ever made me feel like it’s too much. I just don’t want to push anyone away because everyone has been so wonderful.

        I completely understand feeling overwhelmed. Just know I’m always here if you need someone to listen. Sending you lots of love, my friend. 😘

        Like

  10. Aimless Love is some amazing poetry! Love it! Is that picnic table picture of YOU? The car looks too old to me. I’ve never heard ‘August is the Sunday of Summer’ but isn’t that the truth? I’ve never really cared for Sundays and I find August to be depressing, the older I get. Probably because of my pure hatred of winter, so I see it coming down the pike. Much like Mondays!

    Why does it look like you have two front doors? Their colors are magnificent. As is your selfie in that black shirt. That is just a really cool shirt. I like the Dr. Seuss book in Spanish. I’ve been following some TikTok’s that allow you to practice understanding conversational French. I took it for 7 years, but I’m very rusty. It’s such a beautiful language and I’m really enjoying relearning it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s me! ❤️

      I’ve never been a fan of Sundays, and August has always been my least favorite month because of back-to-school season—they both have that same vibe. So when I saw that meme, I was like, YES! I don’t mind winter as much as I used to, but our winters aren’t as harsh as they used to be.

      Our front door is the green one, and my moms is the blue one. That’s her dog, Dolly, in front of it! The shirt I’m wearing is from Walmart—I loved it so much that I went back to find it in other colors, but it was sold out. 😔

      I love that you’re relearning French! I took it for three years in high school, but I hardly remember any of it now.

      Like

  11. Can relate to that poem, “At Least”. Like Brian has said when people say inappropriate things after a death – “cold comfort”. And ooh, that poem “Deep in Grief”.

    Love that photo of your house with the lights bouncing off the walls. Did you paint your door blue now? Or, is that an older photo?

    xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Cold comfort, indeed. I think it’s because people often feel uneasy around grief. We really need to change that, don’t we?

      By the way, that’s my mom’s front door in the picture—I snapped it while sitting at the table with you last week. 😘

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Personally, I’m ready for the Monday of fall.

    The shifting light always catches me off guard this time of year. I have to readjust my whole way of thinking (or at least my chair, so I’m not blinded).

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Kair, one of my favorite parts of dogs and cats are their precious little paws!

    The quote you shared by Eknath Easwaran is so true. And soooo powerful!

    LOVE that vintage photo (you and that car) !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I don’t know if you ever saw the documentary, “Robin’s Wish”, by his wife. But it’s incredible. I’ve watched it twice. But have some tissues handy. It’s very moving.

    That moon photo is stunning!

    Thanks for sharing what you saved, my friend. ENJOYED! X

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Me too! So precious.

      Isn’t it?

      Vintage Kari and Vintage Beetle!

      We saw it! It was a wonderful documentary. Cried so much. I miss him.

      Isn’t that a great shot. I don’t usually take good moon pictures from inside, but that one turned out pretty good.

      Thanks for reading, dear friend. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 😘

      Like

  14. I’m so keenly aware of the deep colours in the photos you’ve shared here! Amazing. I also appreciate how you countered sara rian’s list of often used “at leasts” with Runkle’s advice on entering the space of someone’s grief. Also, the “even though i know… you will never return” – heartbreakingly true. 💔

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Is that your backyard? With the sunset and the flowers? So pretty. Wow, that ‘At Least’ poem – that really resonates. Oh, Robin Williams. He was one of a kind. We love that movie. He was a genius. Is that you in the picture with the old car? The grief poem also – wow. xo

    Liked by 1 person

  16. 🎙🎵 I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day….what can make me feel this way….talkin’ bout My Girl 😁 Positive memory of doing this song for Karaoke with my good friend Pat on my 35th

    Liked by 1 person

  17. This is the second time I’ve seen that Georgia O’Keefe quotation in the last week, and it captures exactly how I’ve felt. And because, yes, August IS the Sunday of summer, I’m ready to say good-bye to this month and this season! I am actually feeling much better now than I thought I would; waiting for endings might be harder than the aftermath of the ending. Sometimes, anyway. 

    Your collection this month feels quiet, contemplative. It’s like a collage poem; the most striking line to me might be the photo of you (?) at a picnic table in front of what is now an old car.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That Georgia O’Keeffe quote really captures what this summer has been like for me. Between grief and recovering from COVID, I’ve felt like a different person. Writing these posts has been a great way to process those feelings when I can’t quite put them into words on my own. I’m so happy that you’re feeling better!

      That is me. ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I love your colourful doors! Our doors are black now but in my old house we had a lot of different paint colours, including a red front door. There’s something about a pop of colour.

    I love the poems you shared, especially “at least” – very moving. Also, the karma quote is spot on.

    This has absolutely nothing to do with grief, so I almost feel weird about saying it, but here goes: I LOVE the halter top in your selfie. Love it. It’s so cute and perfect on you.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We’re all about color when it comes to our doors!

      I love that top—it’s one of my favorites! And feel free to chat about anything here. I’m especially glad to steer away from the topic of grief. 🤣

      Like

  20. Hey there, mirror- I feel this in a deep down resonant way.

    And dude- that sun tattoo is the EXACT symbol I was sure was going to be my first tattoo that I got out of a Japanese symbolism book back in high school… shockingly similar.

    Lovely post and pictures- keep it up, you

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Mirror… Oh my GOD, it feels so good to hear that! I often feel so alone in this experience.

      I got the sun tattoo in honor of my dad and his love for sunsets. I found a drawing of a sunset online, shared it with my tattoo artist, and she added her own touch to make it even more special.

      Thank you. 😘

      Liked by 1 person

  21. The Aimless Love poem is so perfect.

    Is that sunset from your back yard? Or Mom’s?

    I was thinking about Robin Williams the other day; I wonder how many other Robin’s we are missing on this earth.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. That Georgia O’Keefe quote feels like me this year – thank you. I absolutely love your dog’s paws – so adorable. And that first poem – it’s an inspiration and is something I shall try to act on.

    Thank you for continuing to share such beautiful words and inspiration while you’re going through so much yourself ❤

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Hear, hear, to the idea of being sensitive to the people around you more than doing everything on your to-do list. That quote summarizes how I wish other people would live their lives, but realize the power of the to-do list mesmerizes so many people that sensitivity isn’t a priority.

    Liked by 1 person

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