25 Comments

Thanks for saying aloud what I lack the ability to express, our life’s brevity and uncertainty. Your reminders of what’s important and beautiful uplift me!

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Thanks, Patti.

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Glad you made it home safely!

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Thanks, Meadow.

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Shawn, God's pen through your hands is such a gift, especially these lines, "What, then, will have been the point of hoarding anything? Of taking the safe route? Of doing anything other than those things that lift up others, create relationships and community, and leave the world a better place than we found it?"

Lift others up, create relationships and community, leave the world a better place than we found it. Yes.

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Thank you, Jody.

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Hi Shawn,

Thank you for sharing the words I needed today.

I find reaching out hard, but that doesn't mean I should stop trying.

Glad Winnie came to say hi when you got home.

Take care,

Casey

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Keep trying, Casey. I know it can be tough. You've got this.

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Cling to one another. Indeed. Thanks, Shawn.

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Thanks, Sherry.

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I live in Ft Worth. We are having splendid weather now.

Glad you are home and safe.

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It was so beautiful there!

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Really beautiful, Shawn. And those plane drops...egad. I always hum Silent Night, no matter what the season, during turbulence. It relaxes me. My kids used to laugh, "uh oh, Mom's humming Silent Night again; we're going down!"

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That's so funny, Michelle. Silent Night. I'll have to try that next time.

(I really miss your writing!)

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This post resonated so deeply because my best friend was flown by Air Ambulence to Mayo Clinic yesterday in the hope that a surgeon there can save her life. We all feel those jolting moments as the plane shudders and dips, but those moments make us cherish the rare moments of calm.

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I'm so sorry, Jolina. I hope you guys can find peace in the midst of it.

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So true. Serve and love those around us and in our community well. 🧡

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Thanks, Mel!

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Gorgeous sensory piece. Loss and love and nature - and how it’s all one in the same. 💚

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Thank you, Shaista. And thanks for your writing.

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Love your summary, Shawn, of worthy objectives to keep in mind as live our days: do those things that lift up others, create relationships and community, and leave the world a better place than we found it. You are so right about the pointlessness of accumulating stuff!

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Oh goodness, this was such a beautiful essay. Thank you.

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What else can we do but

cling

hope

live

fly!

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I had tears in my eyes as I finished reading this. So tender and real and timely. Thank you.

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So good. Thanks for sharing.

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