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Jenni, When this edition came in, I filed it in my To Be Read folder to make sure I didn’t miss it. I finally opened it this morning and read it as the first snow blanketed us in Indiana. How beautifully you have shared your experience and also ours as we are being knit together in a broader family. May it ever be just so. I’m also reminded to continue reading St. Augustine! Blessings from across the pond. C

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Oh my goodness, Crystal—such kind words, which truly could not mean more! Thank you, thank you, SO very much for this. Also, I am SO loving seeing that beautiful blanket of snow across the pond (and that noble deer you caught in action having a wander!). So lovely. And btw, I need to read SOME St Augustine, for a start! I've dipped in and out of Confessions, and I've read an excellent book by James K A Smith on it but I, too, really want to dive in properly. Sending love, and thanks so much, again, for all of this. ❤️

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I love the way I learn more about you each time you tell your layered story of home and belonging. And accidents of time feels so providential, so serendipitous, so much like the way life really does unfold. Brava!

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Thank you so much, Charity, that means so much. And I'm so glad you like the new name! 😅 It's one of my favourite St Augustine quotes and has kind of been staring me in the face all along (!) and now felt like the perfect time to bring in this idea. It's, as you say, so very much how connections seem to happen and I now can't stop 'seeing' them as part of daily life! It's something I'd love to dive into a bit more over the coming months. Thanks so much, again, for your wonderful and kind encouragement.

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Oct 25, 2022Liked by Jenni Baden Howard

Oh, Jenni, this is lovely. Family can means all sorts of things, can’t it? Thank you for sharing such an honest, thoughtful essay. It’s truly beautiful and tender ❤️

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Absolutely, it truly can. And thank you—SO much. ❤️

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Oct 21, 2022Liked by Jenni Baden Howard

What a beautiful reflection on family Jen! Thank you for mentioning the not often talked about trauma a child experiences as an adoptee. One cannot fully celebrate all the beauty of adoption without acknowledging the difficulties as well. I’m so glad you ended up knowing all your families.

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Oh thank you so much Sue, that means very much. ❤️

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