{"id":52685,"date":"2026-11-07T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/?p=52685"},"modified":"2026-11-03T10:38:21","modified_gmt":"2026-11-03T15:38:21","slug":"more-love","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.westbendnews.net\/autonews\/more-love\/","title":{"rendered":"More Love"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dotting my Teas<\/strong> By: Marlene Oxender <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Writing prompts. I\u2019ll never run out of them. So much to write; so little time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I became a writer somewhat by accident. After my mother passed away, I wrote a few words about her. Then came stories about the things I was finding in her estate. My words ended up on social media. Then in a blog. Then a newspaper column. Then a few books. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The good thing about writing a newspaper column is that a deadline comes with it. But the bad thing about writing a newspaper column is that a deadline comes with it. At times, I\u2019ve thought it might be best to schedule a sabbatical for myself. I\u2019d put new writing on hold, focus on publishing my books, and then return to the column. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But then something comes along and renews my energy. When a recipe for Get Well Custard appeared in my newsfeed, it reminded me of an essay I\u2019d written a few years ago about how we care for one another. I had forgotten what I\u2019d written, so I read it again. My own writing is often new to me.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most of us would agree that creative writing is a learned skill. It takes time. It takes editing. Then more time and more editing. It\u2019s work, but it\u2019s fun work.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2023, I published a book about my brother Stevie who had Down syndrome. I knew the book would sell well. After all, Stevie had done the marketing by just being himself all his life. We scheduled a few book signings, and his friends came to see him and have him sign the front cover of the book.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A young friend recently asked if I ever receive feedback from readers regarding my newspaper column or books. I didn\u2019t mean to sound boastful when I told her yes \u2013 I receive cards and letters from people I don\u2019t even know. I then laughed as I told her my answer sounded like a Glen Campbell song: \u201cgetting cards and letters from people I don\u2019t even know.\u201d Then I had to tell her who Glen Campbell was. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few weeks back, after my Newspaper Clippings story was published, I began receiving comments through texts and emails \u2013 14 messages. All good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I suspect part of the reason I receive encouraging feedback is that I tend to keep my words uplifting and steer clear of anything that may cause division. I like to think I write about God without using the word God, mostly because God is bigger than any one word. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are those who believe humanity is more awake than ever to the happenings of the world. We\u2019re asking questions and having new conversations. Things once considered impolite or even impossible to discuss are being discussed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I would have connected some dots years ago, but I didn\u2019t know there were dots to connect. Being open to new possibilities helps us look beyond beliefs and assumptions that may separate us. We just need to keep in mind that we never know what we may not know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whoever said that all the world\u2019s a stage had it figured out. We\u2019re discovering how much truth that sentence holds, and many of us have decided it\u2019s okay to stop watching the show and begin rewriting the script.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life on earth means we arrive with nothing in our hands. We spend our days collecting things before departing with nothing in our hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But look at that beautiful soul of ours, meant all along to be the collector of things. Collections rich in memories. Collections full of wisdom. Collections of those little things we refer to as acts of kindness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can spend every moment extending love. Even while we sleep, we\u2019re renewing our energy and restoring a little inner peace. Those naps? A gift to ourselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My brother Stevie often led our mealtime prayers. We always listened carefully because he could be hard to understand. After he finished praying, there were smiles as we pointed out how many times we heard him bless the food and mention his family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His prayers always included the words \u201cmore love.\u201d Looking back, I realize how much Stevie understood about love. When he said those two words, it was his way of speaking love into his world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, when I think of him and miss him, I hear him tell me to put my wings on and buckle up. We\u2019re walking each other home, and we\u2019ve got work to do.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marlene Oxender is a writer, speaker, and author. She writes about growing up in the small town of Edgerton, her ten siblings, the memorabilia in her parents\u2019 estate, and her late younger brother, Stevie Kimpel, who was born with Down syndrome. Her three published books, Picket Fences, Stevie and Grandma, You Already Am Old, are available on Amazon. Marlene can be reached at mpoxender@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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