Memories of My Son: Poetry, Letters and Photographs

By Barbara Dowell

Life is a journey and sometimes the travelers don’t know where it is taking them, making it difficult to find new paths they are comfortable following. Jason struggled to find a comfortable niche in life and many of his choices brought him pain.

We know loss is a part of the cycle of life but it is always unexpected and difficult to accept. Remembering that all of life is a blessing and our sharing times with loved ones enables acceptance, reminding us to be grateful for our limited experiences.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781796066494

Barbara Dowell

Barbara Dowell grew up in the small town of Bexley, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio, living with her parents, older sister and younger brother. Married to Jim Dowell since June, 1964, they have a daughter, a son, and a Labrador Retriever named Windy. Barbara held positions as a social worker, educator, and cantorial soloist for Columbus area Reform congregations, accompanying herself on guitar. She became the director of two choral groups, The Sharyonim and The Mazal Tones, recording three CDs. "I began as a daughter, grandchild, niece and cousin, becoming a wife and a mother. I have been blessed with good friends and beloved pets. My professions as a social worker, teacher, and musician have given me the joy of interacting with countless people, young and old, from teaching my own children to classrooms, kitchen tables, Temples, and concert venues. Singing, playing guitar and dulcimer, has also nurtured my soul. Life experiences both the happy and the profoundly sad have been woven into my poetry that speaks to me and I hope to others."

Book preview

Copyright © 2019 by Barbara Dowell. 803216

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Photo credits for Jason Dowell’s high school graduation pictures go to Georgian Portraits.

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Rev. date: 10/25/2019

Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Prologue

Poetry

I Am

Your Peace

Our Children

Baby Boy

A New Baby

Memories Of My Son

Happy Child

Sailor

Indecision

Restless

Grief

Sadness

Healing

Memories

Last Day

Jason

Yahrtzeit

Letters

Quotation

If Only

Obituary Columbus Dispatch

Photo Album

I dedicate this book

to the memory of

Jason Harvey Dowell

son of

Barbara and Jim Dowell

brother of

Rachel Dowell.

May his memory be for blessing.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to acknowledge my friends who encouraged me to put my poetry and letters into a finished form. Linda Schottenstein knew my son well and was still able to edit my letters and poetry for content and punctuation . Thank you to Carol Rich, a professional writer, for reading my book, making suggestions, knowing I was concerned about content. I appreciate both of you taking time away from your busy lives to help me complete this memoir. Both of you are dear friends and a significant part of my life. I carry thoughts of you each day, knowing you both always have my best interest in your hearts. When I have encountered stumbling blocks in my life, you are both there to pick me up, insuring I will be able to move forward with confidence.

Last, but not least, I appreciate all the help and support I received from my husband Jim in writing this memoir on the computer. He provided tech support and encouraged me every step of the way. He also read and edited the final copy which was most helpful to me in recording the details of our family life and assisted me in downloading family photos so they could be added to the photo gallery.

Barbara Dowell

August, 2019

INTRODUCTION

Life is a journey and sometimes the travelers don’t know where it is taking them, making it difficult to find new paths they are comfortable following. Jason struggled to find a comfortable niche in life and many of his choices brought him pain.

We know loss is a part of the cycle of life but it is always unexpected and difficult to accept. Remembering that all of life is a blessing and our sharing times with loved ones enables acceptance, reminding us to be grateful for our limited experiences.

PROLOGUE

My book of poems and letters to Jason serves to remind me of the wonderful years we shared together as