This is my youngest daughter’s corner of this website. She’s a medical master’s degree health professional that enjoys writing and has an online wellness clinic for folks that need help with nutritional health.
Ripple Effects
by Katie Caldwell
I have always struggled with having just one favorite of anything. Favorite book? Too many to choose only one title as my most favorite. Favorite movie? Forget it! Even to this day I have favorite colors…not just one. Food? It’s the same. Well, except for maybe donuts – the homemade small shop kind like you can find on St. George Island, FL…but let’s just call those one of my favorite treats!
Sometimes, when I really think about a book or movie that’s had an impact on me, I always return to It’s a Wonderful Life. It’s profound to think about how our actions can have ripple effects into our world and the people in it.
I’ve told my dad how I’m glad he fought the battles he has and kept pushing through. I wouldn’t be here if his life had taken a different direction. And I’m so proud of how he broke the cycle of addiction and trauma from his childhood to create his own life…his own journey… his own story.
As a child, I don’t recall wanting for anything of significance. I’m sure my parents have stories of me throwing a tantrum or fit for some toy or meaningless material something at some point- but when I think back on my childhood- I only have fond memories of playing in the creek with my sister, us building forts in the backyard, and having plenty of toys, board games, Nintendo games, and books…Not to mention the multiple sports we both played! I can hear Mom yelling down to us at the creek “Dinner is ready!” I can see Dad arriving home from working and me running to him and then he would scoop me up in his arms and give me a big hug. I can see my sister and I walking across the street to my aunt’s house for lunch or dinner or movies and running around her back yard…so many wonderful childhood memories.
I wish I could take away the pain and hardships he has suffered from… as we all wish we could when we have family or friends who have been hurt or are still hurting. But I’m so proud, as an adult now looking back at my life, that he has been able to persevere through so many obstacles and make a life that has had a ripple effect on me and my family.
I think, perhaps, part of my “keep going when the going gets tough” mindset, I owe to him.
Thank you, Dad, for allowing me to share in this sacred space that I know you hold dear in your heart. Your ripples are still ever-reaching.
XO,
-Kate (Your favorite youngest daughter)
Ripples
Starting near but reaching far,
Sometimes the end unknown…
Yet the ripples travel on,
Reaching worlds unshown…
Their travel can be far and wide,
Touching depths along…
That merely started as a drop,
From the shore alone.
<<<<>>>>
“I highly recommend my youngest for her professional health and wellness talents in helping others convalesce!” – Ed Caldwell
I love your poem! You’re a smart and deep thinker!
I sometimes wonder how I was able to inherit such a wonderful family.
Without going into detail…except for my ten years younger sister Laura… my parents, siblings and I were mostly sick and broken.
Dysfunctional is the simplest way to describe us.
You mentioned in your Ripple Effects piece that you wished that you could take away my pain and hardships. Thank you! We all want to do that for our loved ones. It’s part of loving someone else.
You are precious to me and I wish I could help you more with your pains and hardships. Everyone has some negativity to deal with. What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger.
I’m way past the pain of my childhood. I past it when I inherited you and the rest of the family that I have now.
Love always,
Dad
Dear Ed and Katie: I’m afraid I identify with Ed’s family history, not even knowing the details. I so wish I’d had a life like yours, Katie. It sounds amazing! But my family was also broken by my mother’s mental health issues, which touched us all in different ways. I’m 73 now and have had many different counselors throughout my life, but the one I’ve been seeing for the last 4 years has changed my life completely! I’ve fought through so much, and it’s still a journey, but so much more peaceful and calm these days! Keep on writing and sharing-it’s much appreciated! (and thanks to Sean D 🥰 for leading me here!)
I’m so glad you’re finding peace! Thanks for sharing. And thanks for your sentiments about Katie. I’ve been blessed with a great family. They have given me peace and this website has been my counselor. I’m so glad you have a helping counselor too!
Love,
Ed
Thanks to both of you for being there! I’ll be reading you🙂
What a special bond between a father and a daughter. So sweet.