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Danielle Hatfield

Four Weeks

October 6, 2014 By Danielle Hatfield 5 Comments

6 Oct
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Fourweeks4 weeks ago today. . . “has it really been that long?” I asked my self as I measured out my coffee beans this morning. . .

Yes.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I let out a long sigh as the grinder whirred to life.

It’s been exactly  4 weeks since I received a call from one of my 5 older sisters that my biological mother was given only 24-48 hours to live. The next morning I packed a few things to go to the her bedside and didn’t leave until her passing nearly a week later.

It has been a blur since then.

For 3 weeks I have maintained ‘radio silence’ on my social media sites/nonessential email/phone calls, and here on my blog. I can tell you that the trauma of watching someone slowly die was bad enough, I really didn’t want share that in a play by play account on my social media sites like some folks would. . . so, I stopped altogether. Y’all should know by now that I’m not one who will blow sunshine and social media lollipops up your ass 24/7.

I wanted to write this post after I looked at my social notifications this morning and panicked a bit. To those of you who may have tried to contact me over the last few weeks via social media, know that I appreciate it and will slowly make my way through to each of you.

As I’ve said in my blog post Grieving Offline in an Online World, each of us deal with trauma and social media differently. . . and that’s okay. I’m not trying to tell you that giving up technology or social media is the only way to grieve or heal.

Not. at. all.

What I AM trying to get you to think about is how other people may prefer to keep things private and take some time offline to grieve, heal, and think. So be nice.

Don’t be disappointed if you read this blog post and I am still not active on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+ etc. etc. – I’ve decided to share this post but personally, I’ve needed this time offline. . . and I think I need even more.

Death and sickness has continued to shed a new light on what’s really important in my life and I will always make time to listen. . . my insights have been unfolding in the chorus of crickets of my backyard, in paint brush strokes, in the hum of my sewing machine. . . and even in the slow rhythm of my crochet hook. There is great comfort in quiet.

After reading a “What I know for sure” post by Oprah in the October O Magazine (pp 172), I decided this morning that I will be sharing more insights here on my blog that I’ve learned while dealing with death, dumb asses, selfishness, sickness and yes even growth during the last 5 years.

It hasn’t been easy dealing with private family matters and also dealing with opportunistic and intentional cruelty. . . but I hope that what I’ve decided to share in the coming months helps you in some way.

Make kind choices today folks, life is way too short.

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Filed Under: Lifestyle, Motivational, Social Media Tagged With: grief, grieving, grieving offline in an online world, O Magazine, The Oprah Magazine, what I know for sure

About Danielle Hatfield

Owner/Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm - DIYs, recipes and sharing my 2 cents on social media

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I love to share recipes, DIYs, and my two cents on social media.

I am also proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm where I have worked with my partner and husband Brandon Pierce since 2009.

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daniellehatfield

I love #DIYs, #recipes, and sharing my 2 cents on social media.

My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍 My de My next #FurnitureRestoration project! 😍

My dear @thebrandonpierce found it at the local #HabitatReStore and it’s a near match for a desk he inherited that once belonged to his great grandfather. 

I have BIG plans for this beauty!

It will become home to my new @singersewingcompany heavy duty sewing machine and all of my sewing notions. 

This means I can *finally* begin sewing curtains, cushions, and tackle a few other upholstery/restoration projects. 🤗
#HomemadePastaSauce > store-bought #PastaSauce. #HomemadePastaSauce > store-bought #PastaSauce.
Practicing #WorkLifeBalance with some quality time Practicing #WorkLifeBalance with some quality time outside this morning. 

With temperatures in the mid 60s and a cool breeze ahead of the thunderstorms forecast for tomorrow - it is the *perfect* weather to show our #GardenLove.

This #Iris is one of many transplant successes … I moved it a few years ago and it is nearly waist high! 

Is our #CottageGarden picture perfect? No. 

But slowly, with patience and hard work, it’s more lush and colorful… I dare say it’s well on its way to resembling #BeatrixPotter’s beloved garden. 

Now, about those children’s books I’ve been meaning to write and illustrate…🤔
A #watercolorportrait I painted of #ElvisPresley l A #watercolorportrait I painted of #ElvisPresley last year. 

I didn’t share this #watercolorpainting before because I thought it was mediocre at best. I still feel that way - but that’s okay. 

#WatercolorPractice never makes perfect…it makes improvement. 

I’ll probably paint another portrait of him this year to see if I’ve improved my fabric, skin, and hair painting skills. 

I’m thinking maybe the next painting will be a still from his 1968 One Night With You special...or of him in uniform from WWII. 🤔

Do you have a favorite memorable photo/video of #Elvis?
I’ve been encouraging the #dandelions. I’m I’ve been encouraging  the #dandelions. 

I’m harvesting leaves for sandwiches/salads and transplanting volunteers into pots in our small #CottageGarden.

Some see a weed - I see Clara’s #DepressionEra salad and #DandelionRoot tea. 😍
@thebrandonpierce surprised me with the sweetest # @thebrandonpierce surprised me with the sweetest #springflowers from our #cottagegarden. 😍
#SpringFlowers found on our walk tonight. 😍#Wha #SpringFlowers found on our walk tonight. 😍#WhatIsThisPlant?
My dear @thebrandonpierce keeps the birthday month My dear @thebrandonpierce keeps the birthday month surprises coming with TWO books by @jamesgurneyart! 😍

If you need me, I’ll be sipping coffee and getting lost in a wealth of #ArtInspiration.
#PracticeMakesProgress 🙌🏻 The first #waterc #PracticeMakesProgress 🙌🏻

The first #watercolor #painting (on the left) I finished last year. Good, but a bit dull. 

After receiving all of my new #artsupplies this month (thank you @thebrandonpierce 😘) I *HAD* to paint it again… isn’t she a beauty?! (on the right)

I’m slowly working to improve mixing skin tones, painting eyes that have a bit more depth, and a fabric that doesn’t look splotchy…

This #watercolorpractice is inspired by the February 1927 #PictoralReview #CoverArt by  #illustrationArtist #EarlChristy. 

#WatercolorPaint & #Paintbrushes: #KingArtCompany 

#WatercolorPaper: #cansonpaper 140lb cold press
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