Bethany Harvey - Dipped in it

DISCLAIMER

This is a work of nonfiction. Nonetheless, some of the names and identifying character traits of those featured in the stories herein have been changed in order to protect their identities (including stories used with the subjects full permission). Any resulting resemblance to persons either living or dead is entirely coincidental.

The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties of any kind with respect to this book or its contents, and assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any other inconsistencies herein. The content of this book is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any condition or disease, including mental health conditions. You understand that this book is not intended as a substitute for consultation with a licensed practitioner. The use of this book implies your acceptance of this disclaimer.

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COPYRIGHT 2021 by Bethany Harvey

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. To request permissions, contact the publisher at publisher@worldchangers.media.

PAPERBACK: 978-0-9993991-4-9

E-BOOK: 978-0-9993991-5-6

FIRST PAPERBACK EDITION: July 2021

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021909714

EDITED BY Bryna Haynes / www.TheAuthorRevolution.com

COVER ART by Beau Harvey /

eBOOK CONVERSION BY Chad Robertson / www.WritingNights.org

LINE ART CREDITS FOR DIPPED IN IT

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PUBLISHED BY WorldChangers Media

PO Box 83, Foster, RI 02825

www.WorldChangers.Media

To Ruby and Beau: may you always know that you are dipped in it.

Bethany has an uncanny way of speaking directly to the heart about what it means to be on this messy human journey. Thoughtful, impactful, and deeply transformative, her stories, insights, heartbreaks, and humor make us more open to being tenderized by our experiences, as well as incredibly grateful to share the same planet as such an intelligent, witty, and wise human being. She writes with a grace that stays with you long after you turn the final page. This book is a revelation.

Monica Rodgers, founder, The Revelation Project

I could not stop reading the tender, openhearted, and gentle reflections that Bethany shares about her life after the death of her father. I was so moved by her graceful ability to notice, process, and move forward from experiences that shape us all. You will be glued to every page as you eagerly wait for the next bit of juicy wisdom to subtly fall in your lap.

Kim Fuller, Author of Finding , founder of Born to Rise

Bethany Harveys Dipped In It is poetic and wise. Her stories grab you with their simple truth and shine light on the cold fact that loveand all the glory that comes with itis inextricably bound to loss and grief. She manages to do this in a way that knocks the breath out of your chest, yet somehow youre not sorry, or even sad. Instead, youre elated by the privilege of getting to experience this raw, tender paradox of being human.

Sarah MacLaughlin, author of the award-winning, bestselling book, What Not to Say, Tools for Talking with Young Children and the forthcoming, Raising Humans with Heart: Not a How-To Manual

Bethanys deftly-crafted storytelling connected effortlessly with my consciousness as it gently reached down and knocked on the door of my heart. She yanked my own buried emotions up to the surface to be revealed as she gently cradled my forgotten feelings in the beauty of her compassionate prose, reminding me that the truth is the only way to real freedom."

Carrie Rowan, bestselling author of Tell A New Story , coach, and award-winning singer/songwriter

What stands out most about Dipped in It, what makes it so deeply special, is that it speaks to everyone. No, we havent shared the same life experiences. But weve allevery one of usshared the feelings unique to them. The threads of those shared emotions bind us to one another, and Bethany, through her writing, is the weaver of them, carefully, lovingly cinching us together into a tapestry where we can look to our right and our left and see that were not alone. Love connects us. Bethany is a gift, and were all her lucky recipients.

Kim Beauchamp, ND Author/Activist Making DIPG History

Bethany tackles the messiness of life and loss with grace, honesty, and humor. From the first word, her raw, open writing style pulled me in. I laughed with her, cried with her, and cheered her on every step of the way. Grab a box of tissues, pour a cup of tea, and enjoy!

Tabitha Lord, award-winning author of the HORIZON series

Dipped In It is a beautiful meditation on ones hopes and dreams, on gratitude through lifes highs and lows, and on the power of grief. Bethany Harveys exquisite writing pulls you through the pages and her reflections on her life will give you insight into your own. A thoroughly enjoyable memoir!

Judy Crosby, owner/founder, Island Books

The Spotlight

Have you ever been going along in life, thinking everything is unfolding exactly as it should, and then you fall deep, deep into a well of grief, sadness, and uncertainty?

In January of 2017, my father passed away. And I was tossed into the deepest, darkest well Id ever seen or envisionedwithout warning or ceremony.

There I was, in the dark. And something inside of me said, quietly, The only way out is to write.

I started with a gratitude journal. I needed to remind myself of all of the people in my life for whom I ought to be grateful. I write ought to because at the time I believed that I wasnt a grateful person. Not anymore. Grateful people dont feel the way I feltangry, anxious, depressed, confused, disillusioned, desperate (to name a few of griefs cohorts).

Looking back, I realize that what I was actually trying to do with this gratitude journal was avoid my grief. Ah, a loophole!If I can just be grateful, I wont have to grieve anymorebecause one cannot do both, obviously.

I didnt know that gratitude and grief are not mutually exclusive. But I learned. I learned I couldnt skip over the emotions that made me uncomfortable. And in the end, I didnt want to. There is a complicated brew of emotions swirling inside each of us.

Its what makes us feel alive.

And so, with trembling hands upon my keyboard, I offered myself this saving gracepermission to indulge them all, the whole wild cup of tea.

And now, here you are, holding in your hands, the liquid grace of grief, joy, gratitude, fear, sadness, anger, and most of all, love. The juice of life that filled my well high enough that I could reach for the top and finally climb out, back into the tremulous sunshine of daily living.