Photo by: “The Sage”

We saved December 23rd to ourselves so that we could exchange gifts privately and spend time alone together outside of our traditional holiday family gatherings. Little did I know the surprise Brent had for me up his sleeve. It took me a minute to recognize.

Photo by: Byron Realey

“Merry Christmas, L-a-R-o-n-d-a,” Brent said using sign language and finger-spelling. “I love you.”

“Merry Christmas to you too,” I signed in return, and then it hit me! “Brent! You’re signing! How wonderful!” …

Read more...

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Family, Hearing Loss, Humor, Late-Deaf, Love, Meaning, My Story, Support | No Comments »

In late August, as the dog days of summer waned and the dandelions roots grew fat, it came time for Brent to return to his college up in the Pacific Northwest. Sadly, even though our families’ homes were only 5 miles apart, we both lived and attended colleges in separate states.

…We would soon begin a long distance relationship that spanned 3 ½ years…

…Like a treasure chest filled with gold, almost every love letter we have ever written to one another lies piled in a box, sealed with mailing tape, and stored in the top of our closet…

Photo by: “Angela”

…Time and distance did not keep us apart.

Read more...

Deaf, Grief, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Love, My Story, Support | No Comments »

Photo by: “Toos&TheSea”

As I lay there in the stillness, I suddenly remembered the second verse in the Song of St. Barbara.

In my head, I heard an entire orchestra in accompaniment to this song! I heard flutes, strings, horns, drums and crashing cymbals! I felt so alive! I felt hope! I felt gratitude! I felt overwhelmed with love! I let this inner-music carry me off into the land of dreams….

Read more...

Family, Grief, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Love, Meaning, Music, My Story | 1 Comment »

…We sat in some lawn chairs under the leaves of a large maple tree and talked…

…Then Brent shifted a little in his chair. He leaned forward with his arms on his knees, cocked his head to the side and looked sweetly at me through his long bangs. He told me he had been thinking about me, non-stop, since we met, and that he had written something he would like me to read. My heart crept to my throat in anticipation as he handed me what was to be the first love letter of hundreds more to come…

…This may sound crazy, but I’m falling in love with you!

Photo by: Suheilah Waeli

…It all happened so quickly — the curious uplifting, the incredulous wonder, the sudden inexplicable joy! I guess when the “real thing” happens, there is no doubt. What was happening, was happening to both of us. We had fallen in love!

Read more...

ASL - Sign Language, Family, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Love, Meaning, My Story, Support | 1 Comment »

Photo by: Matt Jacoby

We could have stayed there basking in the sun by the Swimming Hole forever. Time stood still for us… I didn’t want this incredible dream to end….

…I watched Brent clamor up the hill to catch up with his family. Once they reached the top of the hill where they had parked their car, they all turned to wave goodbye. Brent was the last one to get into the car, still gazing down at me. I waved once more, feeling that I was witnessing fate in progress. I knew with the utmost certainty that our paths would cross again.

Read more...

Family, Love, My Story | 1 Comment »

Photo by: “Jimmy”

…The Indian Grave was marked by a large weathered, granite stone hidden back on the far side of the creek, high up on a hill…

…Both of my younger cousins led the way. They had been to The Indian Grave hundreds of times before. Fresno Dome campground was not a new place to them. It was home away from home. Brent and I flirted along the way as Shelly glanced back and giggled at us continuously…

…From a distance, I watched Brent talk to my cousins about the mountain place they knew so well. Brent looked so natural and comfortable with the younger kids, and they adored him. He seemed to fit right in. Every now and then, I would look over my shoulder and catch Brent gazing back at me, which made me smile and blush. I was overwhelmed with joy and falling deeply in love!

Read more...

Family, Love, My Story | No Comments »

Photo by: “MemaNH”

For the next 30 minutes or so, Brent bravely continued to use fingerspelling when I couldn’t understand him. His total acceptance of my hearing loss and complete commitment to making communication work, whatever it would take, snagged my heart — hook, line and sinker! I knew then that this was someone I didn’t want to let slip away! …

Read more...

ASL - Sign Language, Deaf, Family, Hearing Loss, Late-Deaf, Love, My Story, Parenting | No Comments »