Brightness Sailors Shine On...

Brightness is blowing by on an easterly wind, and we are happy to catch the breeze and sail onward. We are jumping right into the swelling tide of cheer and crashing up onto your shore. Hop onboard this little ship and hear our stories of memories past and people who have helped to shape our worlds. This ripple of fortune began in Singapore, carrying with it the whimsical spirit of a beautiful writer, Gueh Yanting, Claudine. Her latest children's picture book Brightness Sailors: Bit by Bit is heading your way! So, shine on sailors, and tend to the turbulent waters as they flood and flow, and carry us off...

~ Stop by Carry Us Off Books and download this new children's picture book as a gift for sharing in spirit of brightness! Also, you can dock at a few more sunny ports today on this cheery ride of inspirational stories. ~

John Haight, 2nd in on rt.

Jess: The story I would like to share with you is about my grandfather, John Haight. He was the chief of police in Ridgefield, CT, and an M.P. during WWII. He was also a family man, who helped my grandmother raise three boys. Pop was an awesome pop, and some of my fondest memories are of playing at his desk, pretending to write checks or using his typewriter- one of my favorite games. He told me stories, one of which was the inspiration for The Secret DMS Files of Fairday Morrow. Both he and my grandmother were great influences in my life, and I am very grateful to have known and loved them. 

John & Marion Haight

It was hard when Pop developed dementia. He was always such a steadfast figure in my family. But, as he aged and his mind began to deteriorate, he had to move into a home for his own safety. He couldn't remember who he was anymore. Most of the time, he believed that my grandmother was alive and that he was still the chief of police. Once in a while, he would come back to himself- that was the hardest time.


As his dementia progressed, he eventually forgot who his family was. Everyone, except for my dad, was a stranger to him. As sad as this made me, I decided that I could turn it around in a way that we could both be happy. One thing that he always complained about was the food at the home, and he was still capable of eating anything that he wanted. I knew that he loved fried clam bellies from a place called Cooks. So, every time that I went to visit him, I brought a huge plate of clam bellies and some fresh coleslaw with me. He may not have known that I was his granddaughter, but he sure was happy to see me when I came to visit! I loved watching his eyes light up and seeing the enjoyment on his face as he smacked down those greasy, delicious fried clams. It was a special feeling to have the power, though small and in the form of clams, to bring joy into his life, even if only for a few moments in time.

Remembering the spirits of my wonderful grandparents has been a real gift for me. Thank you, Claudine, for the inspiration to write this post  : )
~ Jess

Stephanie:  The last time I saw my Grandma Elaine we had some wonderful conversations. Some of our conversations were repeated over and over again over the course of my visit, because she would forget that we had already discussed them. I told her about my plane ride over twenty times, but I knew she was hearing it each time for the first time, so I tried to put the same detail and interest into my answers.  

Although I was in my late twenties and already working as a teacher, I could tell from the questions my grandma asked me that she wasn’t quite sure how old I was. Still, I felt lucky that she knew who I was. Seeing my grandma struggling to remember what was happening “now” and doing her best to hold conversations still tugs at my heart when I look back at our last visit. 

I do remember her warm smile, quiet way, and the love I felt from her during the time when her brain wasn’t as clear as it used to be. But just like my grandma remembering me when I was younger, I remember her best from the years before she started forgetting. Our walks to pick raspberries, her homemade doughnuts, the coffee she was always drinking, and her patience and peaceful way sparkle the brightest when I think back on our time together.  ~Stephanie