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Sarah Kay Ndjerareou

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Shari Bower

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Soulful Sojourning

In Remembrance – Shari Bower

By Sarah Kay
January 28, 2021
2 min read
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In Soulful Sojourning
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My dear friend, Shari Wreyford Bower, arrived safely on Heaven’s shore this month. My heart is grieved for her family and all of us who walked with her closely but Shari is free from the pain of a broken world ...
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MY INSTA-HAPPENINGS

“It’s the therapy I didn’t know I needed” “It’s the therapy I didn’t know I needed” -Joseph, recent participant For many of us, the pain and passion of the past year is bubbling up as poetry, sculpture, song and story. They’re a snap shot of the collective, a stain glass window of different perspectives. Art House is a crucial link in birthing these dynamic voices. An Art House Exchange is an uplifting place where creators find community and refreshment. Art needs human interaction, artists need a place to recharge and thrive. Whether your new to your creative expression or a professional looking for social support. Join me at the table. We’re so glad you’re here. @arthousedallas @katielee.jones @sfrhoads.author @courtneyholderart #creativecommunity #writingcommunity #creativityforthecommongood #creativityforthesoul #findyourvoice #tellmeastory #singmeasong #paintmeapicture #joinusatthetable #arthouse #arthousedallas #welcome #writerslife #writersofig #writer
“Mom did you know some families are all the same “Mom did you know some families are all the same color?” My son asked me this a few years ago. One of the gazillion moments in parenting when you wonder if you’re having enough life conversations? It makes my feet sweat and causes a death spiral of parental anxiety. Thankfully, I have an incredibly grounded husband. He keeps a lot of the ‘what if’ nonsense in my mind at bay. For the rest, there are some brilliant picture books that tenderly touch on some of the big issues. (Books will always be one of my favorite forms of therapy.) Mixed by @areechung and @scholastic is a sweet color story that is just the right mix of honest and cuddly. Perfect for your bed time routine. From this nervous mama to you—you’re not alone. One day at a time, one book at a time. #weneeddiversebooks #parentingishard #readingisfundamental #areechung #greatbooksforkids #iwishallthingswerethiseasy #mixedfamily #mixednation #greatconversationstarter #ndjerareoujourney #takeawalkinmyshoes #readingbuildsempathy
“Eating, and hospitality in general, is a commun “Eating, and hospitality in general, is a communion, and any meal worth attending by yourself is improved by the multiples of those with whom it is shared.” -Jesse Browner The greatest gift of hospitality is when people trust you. They’ve experienced warmth in your home, they know they are wanted around your table and believe you when you say ‘come over.’ Each moment is sweeter when shared with friends-especially when those friends bring food and join you for an epic snowstorm/power outage. Winter-storm URI dumped 5-8 inches of snow in DFW and plunged us into negative temperatures leaving hundreds without power. It’s not ideal, we don’t have enough beds or bathrooms, but that’s what makes it blissful. We stuck all our extra milk in the snow, borrowed a puzzle and combined all our snacks. 6 adults, 6 kids, 2 bathrooms, 2 days and counting. It’s a gift to share our home, power and table with people we love. It’s memories I will cherish. It may be 3 degrees out there but in here it’s cozy and crowded, just the way I like it. #hospitality #bettertogether #inthistogether #comeoninansstay #uri2021 #cozyandcrowded #snowbound #fullhousefullhearts❤️ #staywarm #winterintexas #winterintexasyall #winterintexas❄️ #dfwsnowday #dfwsnowweek
“Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultiv “Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.” -African Proverb Bibi means grandma in Swahili. This ambitious cookbook strives to capture the precious culinary knowledge across eight East African counties. It’s beautifully laid out by country, woman, and recipe, offering up an invitation that feels so personal. When Nate and I married, none of the food I knew how to cook was the food I enjoyed eating. Growing up in Africa, I yearned for simmering pots of layered spices found primarily in the ethnic food aisle. The recipes I learned from friends and family were far too few and the only cook books about Africa were often gussied up for a celebrity chef making it even harder to copy. This book is a brilliant legacy to the diaspora and every curious cook. I can’t wait to get it dirty. When I found the Kunde recipe in the @wsj last weekend, I know I had to have it. Thank you @hawahassan @turshen for preserving this knowledge for us all. Can you do West Africa next? Please. #globalcuisine #africancuisine #globalcooking #neverstopexploring #eveninapandemic #tasteofhome #ilovecooking #homecooking #atasteofhome #learningaculturethroughfood #explorewithfood #trysomethingnew #trysomethingdifferent #bibi #africa #bibiskitchen #weneeddiversebooks #weneeddiversecookbooks
This woman appeared in the mirror around my 40th b This woman appeared in the mirror around my 40th birthday, thankfully she’s stayed around for another 365 days, despite the trials of a pandemic. She is the product of small steps of explorations, guts, support and self-control. This picture was the first picture in several years of motherhood that I didn’t wince at— She’s standing proudly next to her husband and partner of 15 years, she’s in-front of the camera, with wild natural hair, signature big earrings and beloved African jewelry ( a precious gift from my husband’s homeland of Chad.) The me that celebrated her 13th birthday at a boarding school in Kenya would have loved the woman in this picture. (Seriously swipe right to see just how little has changed in my soul over 28 years) There’s a lot of reasons that little girl got so lost and hidden but she’s finally emerging again. It’s one of the gifts of getting older. I’d like to introduce you to the woman I’m becoming today and everyday. By the grace of God she’s here to stay. #abirthdayprayer #writersofinstagram #livinginmyskin #aginggracefully #celebratetoday #globalnomad #notallthosewhowanderarelost #togetherwearestronger #weneeddiverseauthors #findyourtribe #bighairdontcare #naturalhair #embraceyournaturaltexture #celebratediversity #curlyhair #loveyourcurls #redifinebeauty #becoming #becomingabetterme #happybirthdaytome #laughlines
Covid/Quarantine school 2021 is in the books. As w Covid/Quarantine school 2021 is in the books. As we emerge from the sudden storm of sickness and uncertainty we’re assessing the damage and trying to rejoin the human race. I want to remember the sweet moments, the look in my kids eyes when they took a deep breath and tried again despite their mother’s terrible teaching abilities. The nights my husband slept on our daughter’s floor just to listen to her breathe as the virus settled in her chest. The friends that dropped by food, vitamins, meals, and a giant bag of Skittles to help bribe my way through Asynchronous learning. The way my kids served one another in small gestures of entertainment and love. They way they grieved the life that went on without them and bent to sacrifice to protect the people they love. The grandparents who dropped off puzzles, batteries and sweets, talking to kids through the window. The teachers who showed up with text books, hand written instructions and patiently sifted through my mad scrambling to understand Google classroom. The friends across the country who listened to long rambling messages amidst the loneliness of a sick spouse. They’re bittersweet memories, not without raggedy moments but looking back I see the treasures of community and resilience. We limp out on shaky legs, grateful for His mercy. We did not make it this far alone and that’s how we will move forward-together. Sustained by the kindness, compassion, laughter, support and prayers of others. May all your fragile moments be met with grace today, may your end be the beginning of someone else’s kindness, your need their gift, your grief their compassion. #aprayerfor2021 #quarentinemusings #quarantinelife #quarantine2021 #quarantine #covidmusings #support #thekindnessofothers #gratefulness #soulfulsojurn #thankful #takingamomenttoappreciate #byhisgrace
“When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we f “When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry, a sea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast, we’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace and the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice. And yet the dawn is ours before we knew it, somehow we do it, somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken but simply unfinished.” -The Hill We Climb 
-Amanda C. Gorman As a writer, I was empowered by the way the arts participated in representing and reflecting our country at this crucial moment. Thank you @amandascgorman Growing up in countries where elections inevitably led to violence, this moment of civic celebration was precious for me. As a mother of a multi-ethnic family my heart burst with pride this week. The idea that my children could see their dreams lived out on our biggest stage gave me goose bumps. And for anyone who has invested her Saturday, and her hard earned money to wash, detangle, set, braid or dry or twist —can we just raise our hands at the fierce expression of femininity that happened too! #naturalhairlove #everystorymatters #creativitymatters #wespeakforthosewhohavenovoice #youcantbewhatyoucantsee #weneeddiversebooks #weneedhope #hallelujahhands
"Where are we going? Look around the bend. We've o "Where are we going? Look around the bend. We've only just begun, this isn't our journey's end. The way may not be easy, the day may seem long. The path may seem dark, as if each turn were wrong. The canyon may be narrow, the water cold and deep. The waves may break over us, but at the helm we keep. For the Navigator has charted our course and carefully planned our way. So we'll keep our eyes on Him, and in the boat we'll stay. He'll lead us throug the storm, for He's been there times before. He'll take us throu ght current, till we're safely on the shore."        -Shari Bower My dear friend, Shari Wreyford Bower, arrived safely on Heaven's shore today. My heart is grieved for her family and all of us who walked with her closely but Shari is free from the pain of a broken world and reunited with her husband and father. When Shari and I met she had a manuscript and a dream; to publish her story "Before They Executed Him - A Wife's Story of Death Row". You couldn't help but love Shari, she was warm, loyal and kind to everyone in her path. In our few years together we poured over her words every month, but most importantly I watched Shari grow in purpose, passion, and confidence. She invested in her dream and became a speaker, writer, and entrepreneur. Shari found joy in every day because of her faith and the comfort of her Father in heaven, a comfort that sustained her through crushing loss, being a single mother, friend and neighbor.   Shari was was honest with her pain but her kindness was infectious and she lived her final days as a shining beacon of hope after loss. Shari reminds us all that strength comes in many forms, her perseverance inspires me every time I see her book on my nightstand. Thank you Shari for showing me how to live and love. You will be deeply missed, my friend.

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