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Laurie Elmquist's avatar

I like the idea that the ones we've loved, that spent time with us, and maybe helped us through life are a part of who we are. (And I'm sorry you had a tumble.)

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Susan Wadds (Deepam)'s avatar

Oh, thank you, Laurie. The tumble was a shock, but it provided an opportunity for me to say, No, I don't need to do a thing just because I said I would. And sit in the cool shade rather than risk more damage and get eaten to bits by mosquitoes down there. I didn't miss a thing!

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Elvina Sainte-Marie's avatar

Beautiful, Deepam! As you live life to the fullest, you are inspiring us/me by your celebration of each moment. Your writing is a gift: reading you, suddenly I feel how beautiful life is, and how illusory (faint and irrelevant) is the ugliness men inflict on others. (And they are bombing Isfahan! My heart breaks, and I had no one I could tell. And here YOU are: YOU understand. Thank you. Thank you.)

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Susan Wadds (Deepam)'s avatar

What a gift to find my ramblings find a place with you. Thank you so much for your encouraging words.

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Kara Tennis's avatar

Sending love your way in the midst of death and life and everything in between.

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Matthew Curlewis's avatar

Ahem. I'm going to be very un-AWA and correct you Ms Wadds. Being "joyous in the midst of destruction, loss, and suffering" is nothing to do with being inappropriate. Quite the opposite in fact: It is VITAL! It is CRUCIALLY IMPORTANT! How else do you expect us to survive this world that is in flames, while it is being run by ruinous men?!

I so feel for you, in the many losses you have experienced and are in the midst of experiencing. You'll get through them. You have before. But in the meantime, thank the goddesses and gods for knots, for grottoes full of skeletons, for writing (with torn skin) and breathing in cool, shaded moments, and for gleeful photos of gleeful ladies with wooden wheelbarrows.

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Susan Wadds (Deepam)'s avatar

What a brilliant response. I laughed out loud at being regarded as gleeful! And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that joy is crucially important. Thanks for the reminder.

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Matthew Curlewis's avatar

Ooh, that makes me even happier to have made you laugh! And you're very welcome. I recently had a tiny thing published that I'm going to put here. Because it kinda' contains many of the things your post was writing about, as well. All best to you, Deepam.

https://brightflash1000.com/2025/06/07/wanting-his-touch/

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Susan Wadds (Deepam)'s avatar

Such a tender piece, Matthew. Thank you for sharing it.

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