One of the unexpected bonuses of blogging for me has been the very real friendships formed, the mutual support, the shared humour, the shared grief. The lessons of life that I have learned through other people’s stories, and interactions, have taught me how to better do empathy and sympathy, and forced me to feel the difference.
Thanks so much for those of you who have commented, ‘liked’, and given me your friendships. For those of you who are bloggers, I am struggling at the moment to keep up with your writings, so please forgive me for that. For Facebook friends, same thing really!
Ming goes to court in three days. Apparently he and I simply appear, his charges will be read out, and the case will be adjourned by our lawyer until the end of February. So I really need to concentrate on all of this at least until the beginning of February, and blogging will go on the back burner for the time being.
Hard to believe now that when I began blogging it was all about the birds.
jmgoyder 
I will say the word with much feeling Sterke with Mings case and stay strong and forthright…
STERKE!
STERKTE !!!!
YES!
I don’t know how your courts work Julie. I hope it’s not inappropriate to say “good luck”! I’ll be here when you get back. I so appreciate your care and concern for your family. Don’t forget to take care of you. 😉
Good luck is good – thanks Colleen!
🙂 ❤
Keeping all of you in my prayers.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Thanks so much for your ongoing kindness and prayers, Francine. Jxx
Understand completely….. take care Diane xo
You too Diane!
it’s funny how we find our voice over time, and i have loved blogging for these very reasons as well. best of luck to you all – beth
Thanks Beth – I just need to get my act together!
All the best. Take your time, we’ll be here. 🙂
Just noted your blog and following now (not that I will be doing much of that for next week or so) Thanks D!
Be strong Julie. And see you again after court.
Thanks Colline
Love, love, as always.. c
I really appreciate our friendship!
I’ll be sending only good thoughts and hopes and wishes.
Oh Mimi – thanks!
Julie,
I know this is going to be a difficult time no matter what, and like many others I am extending a wish of good luck. I completely understand your need to concentrate on these issues and look forward to your return.
Please tale care, Bill
Thanks Bill!
All the very best Julie to you and especially Ming – take care – will catch up soon
Thanks Ingrid!
Fingers crossed you’ll appear back with a post titled, SUCCESS & RELIEF!!! You’re such a great and inspirational cyber friend. Glad to be a fly on your wall any day. Love, Paulette
Great title for Feb 1st – thanks Paulette!
I like that you know what you need to do and that you give yourself permission to do so. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Ming.
Diana xo
Thanks so much Diana!
Best wishes and pray that the courts will understand his remorse. Take all the time you need. We will all be waiting to support you.
Thanks Brenda!
You could still blog about birds. I never tire of hearing about birds or seeing their photos.
Ha – yes!
But of course you need a break right now and I wish you and Ming all the best.
Thanks Anneli!
Julie, I say it every time, but, we’ll be here when you return. 🙂
Sad to admit, but my aches and pain have kept me away. Please know that I think about you almost daily. xo
The feeling is mutual Lynda and I am so sorry you are in such pain. I hope you know how much I care.xxx Julie
You focus where you need to we will all still be here lurking when you return 😀
Lurking LOL! Thanks Paula.
Julie, I will be thinking of Ming and you …. things will be fine, maybe not perfect.
I know blogging takes us all directions and down funny paths. My blog was going to be all about cooking and recipes, but there is a lot more to life than birds and food. *smile
Miss you already.,
Thanks Viveka!
Good luck …. thinking about you two.
I began an online journal (not wordpress) about my Degenerative Disc Disease diagnosis….who knew that in another month my writing would shift to deep sorrow and loss. It is obvious that our writing changes with the priorities in our lives. I hope that all goes well with Ming’s court date. xoxo dale
Your shift in focus is way bigger than mine – I admire you so much Dale.
Will be a relief to get this first bit over and the ball rolling I imagine…hope the next date is earlier in Feb than you think; and all goes smoothly.. ‘smile, breathe, go slowly’ Thich Nhat Hanh xx
What did the last bit mean? It sounds wonderful!
Thich Nhat Hanh is a vietnamese Buddhist monk and teacher – ‘smile, breathe, go slowly’ is a quote from him 🙂
Sorry – as soon as I asked the question I realized (I am duuuuhhhhh!)
ha ha you are quite excused this week x
phew!
nearly done, hang in there..
I’ll be keeping both of you in my thoughts and I’ll be looking out for you soon! hugs and kisses
Thanks Laurie!
Thinking of you and <> 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth!
I also am thinking of you and hoping it all goes well for you and Ming when he goes to court. take a break and focus on the things that you need to focus on.
Thank you Joanne!
Wishing you strength and good luck. I sure hope the court goes easy on Ming.
Thank you Trisha!
Will miss you. You will remain in my thoughts as you and Ming go through this next challenge. I am always here my friend
Thank you Terry! xxx
Hi Julie, I have been thinking about You Anthony and Ming and just want to let you know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This came up as anonymous so I don’t know who you are – thank you very much anyway!
Take care of yourself….wishing you well.
*hugs*
Thanks HH!
Good luck with everything.
Thanks Judith!
Lost my message, so I’ll try again. Good luck with everything!
Thanks Judith!
Enjoy, Julie. And well understood 🙂
Thanks Noeleen.
Jules, I know that you are taking a break, I nominated you because I love your blog, don’t feel pressure to do any of it. I just think that people should know that I love your blog. 🙂
Hello! Just stopping in to let you know I adore your blog, and that I have nominated you for a Liebster award, which is a writing challenge too! If you’d like to find out about it, check this post out! I hope you’ll accept! http://laurieanichols.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/the-liebster-award/
Thanks Laurie!!!
I wish you well and send positive thoughts on the upcoming hearing.
Thank you very much!