The Duggar'ss , Daoust's and Me

CelineFlower

The Duggar'ss , Daoust's and Me

My family is not a large one, at my
sister Cathy's wedding the priest called our family a clan and it
fits us well.

As far back as I can remember, a strong
sense of family has always been present in our clan. This doesn’t
mean we always succeeded in being a good strong family, but no matter
what , the goal and the focus, is always about the family..the clan.

I thank my Dad mostly for this, even
though my mother was a very strong part of our clan, her sense of
family was different then dad's. His struggles to keep us together
sometimes led to the exact opposite but no matter what, he taught me
what was important. Love of Family.

Our clan, often included members that
were not blood related, some came and went, some stayed longer and
some never leave, but all sat at the family table, sharing and
participating in the nightly feasts of home cooked food and home
grown music. The melodies of those days still play in the background
of my life to this day... another reason I am thankful to my father,
for bringing music into my heart.

We were never a religious family, both
my grandmothers were catholic and my eldest sister and I were
dutifully brought through the rituals of the catholic church,
baptism, first communion and confirmation. Though we never prayed at
home, never went to sunday mass... we knew about God.

I never discussed religion with my
parents when I was young, there was only one person I ever talked
about God with and that was our family friend, Linda Daouslt. She was
a young mom, christian and a gentle soul.

I was 12 or so, my parents had just
divorced and my dad was getting remarried. I remember long talks in
the car, and to be honest I dont remember the words but I remember
the love she shared with me. This was the beginning of my spiritual
path.

The Daoust's are a family of 5 children
, Linda and my step mother Patty both strongly believed in home
births. As a young girl growing into a woman I was exposed to the
gentler side of birth and parenting. These chapters in my life were
to be very important in how i developed as a young mother years
later. Linda showed me not only the gentle side of mother hood but
also the gentle side of Jesus, something I was never taught in
Cathechese class at school. Patty showed me how to be an involved
mother, how to , play and entertain my kids while at the same time
teaching them life lessons.I am very grateful for these women and the
mentoring they gave me.

Here I am, 45 years old, 3 kids of my
own and blessed with 2 grandsons. I have fought cancer and so far , I
have won the battle. While my physical body fought a chemical
war to kill the cancer, my soul was fighting as well.. holding on to
life. Death and Life are old friends. Cancer forced me to face
death.. but what surprised me most was that cancer also forced me to
face life.. I am grateful for these lessons

I miss those talks in the car with
Linda... The crazy kitchen, with Patty and kids everywhere... I miss
Dad playing music at the table...

The Duggar's (all 27 if you count
daughter in law, grand kids and grandma!), remind me of those days.
They are a good, loving and caring family. On tv these days it is
hard to find anything that doesn’t involve some form of conflict ,
violence, sex or noise pollution. The Duggar's tv show, 19 kids and
counting, offers me a trip down memory lane.

One day I will hug Michelle and say
this in person but till then, this will have to do..

Thank you Michelle , you and your
family have been a constant companion and source of peace and joy as
i struggled thru these past 2 years. Your children offer my heart
hope and make me smile every time I see them playing together or just
listening to them share their hearts with the camera. If you could
please share with all of your children .. this message.. Thank you
from my heart to yours, for your love, your prayers and your presence
in my life...

And Jim Bob, the dad... Thank you for
showing the world that good men not only can be successful in
business but can also find success in making your family your career,
Your a more then a good man, you are a good dad, thank you for
raising good sons and for loving your daughters like a father should.

To all the unsung heroes at 19 kids and
counting... How wonderful it must be for you all to be a part of this
tv family.. I hope these times enrich and encourage your own families
as well.. thank you for doing what you do..

To my clan... wherever you are..here ,
there and everywhere.. from my heart to yours, i love you, be
well.

Celine