This book is now available on Amazon, as of December 8, 2013.
CHAPTER TWO
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Ephesians 6:12
If I were to tell you my about my childhood, you would find nothing extraordinary in it, apart from those unique threads that make up the fibers of everyone’s soul. And my threads would look something like this: daughter of a symphony musician, three siblings – one biologically related and two adopted, a renovated old house for our home, an emphasis on education, discipline, manners and culture. That is what I would use to describe where I come from. Beyond that, my childhood memories seem to lack distinction, kind of like a GPS which is zoomed out too far to see the smaller details – those tiny roads that lead off the highway into smaller towns.
My memories are more like the movies my brother-in-law makes of the children playing in Bretagne each summer – there are seven nieces and nephews, plus our three in all. Each movie is set to loud music, with a whirlwind of bodies moving in fast motion across the sand, interspersed with close-ups of children’s faces that block the vision of the sea and the cliffs beyond. Those tell one story. And then there are the pauses in chaos where bodies move in real time or even in slow motion, with a deliberateness that tells another story. This is how I remember my childhood – a few close-ups amidst the whirling chaos.
Alison says
Stunning, Jennie. I love these glimpses into the light and dark of your growing up years. xo
Mama D says
Wow. I can’t imagine carrying that kind of burden of anxiety as a child!
ladyjennie says
Thanks for your comment MD! 🙂 I did reassure my parents before publishing this that I don’t blame them for that suffering. I have a chemical propensity towards depression and anxiety that I now manage very well with medication.
OpinionsToGo says
Wow, talk about ‘yin and yang!’ Two very different families and two very different influences.
Really love the line:” When it comes to family, though, you tend to make peace with the anomalies until they become the norm.”
Until next Time!
My Inner Chick says
*** I moved over on my pillow as a small child and whispered to Jesus, “Here. You can sleep on the pillow next to me,” as I moved over to make room.***
I love that!
btw, I’ve been to Edina many times. Lovely.
ladyjennie says
I found you! Lost amongst 15 pages of Louis Vuitton bags. 😉
Thanks for your comment lovely.
Andrea says
Gorgeous. The last paragraph moved me to tears.
Katharina says
Lovely. I can feel your pains, your simple pleasures and your growth in your words.
Take all of your experiences and never regret or be angered by them as they are the soil that you grew from to be the beautiful flower you are today.
Anna See says
I loved this! I can really envision your childhood from the picture you painted here. Love you and can’t wait to read more.
Sissi says
Jennie, You know me…..I like to look at pictures. I’m not a big reader. I couldn’t stop reading this blog. I look forward to more.
Carole says
When I saw the photo, I thought it was your daughter, then I noticed the vintage tones!
Wonderful writing, as always. That moment with your dad and brother must have been incredible.
anymommy says
Beautifully told. I too loved the imagery of the last paragraph.
Kate Coveny Hood says
Read 1 & 2 yesterday and plan to read the rest today.
Really enjoying this so far. Beautifully written and very inspiring to me (I started writing my memories a while back – not anything like this memoire of course!)
I remember old houses and the strange hiding places we would find. Perfect for playing Sardines!
ladyjennie says
Thanks Kate! (Am going to e-mail you).
gigi says
I love that very last paragraph where you moved over to make room for Jesus….such a beautiful image. If we could all move over in the beds that lie in our hearts to make room…
taking my time getting through all the chapters, but very much enjoying your stories. I am amazed at how much you can remember from your childhood!