63 Comments

I absolutely love this, Ramona.

After spinning and dealing yet another piece on the fall of our Democracy, this beautiful story landed in my inbox right on time.

Thanks. Enjoy your day ... and thousands of 'em after that.

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I read your post today and I can't thank you enough for writing it. I know how painful writing those posts can be, knowing you know these things and can't get through to the masses strongly enough to make it all go away.

Still, you're doing what you need to do. And what we need you to do. Just take a joy break now and then. You'll thank yourself for it. ❤️

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You’re living in paradise—it would be the pinnacle of ungratefulness not to be happy! So happy you’re home and home safely.

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What a delightful way of putting it! Thank you. 💕

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This is beautiful. A fine reminder to treasure each happy moment.

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Happiness where you are is underrated ❤️❄️

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It really is! We can spend our entire lives looking for what's right under our very noses!

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A woman at peace experiencing happiness over her place in the world is a beautiful thing to behold. Thank you for writing and sharing this with us.

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This is another example of why you're one of my favorite writers.

And that picture of the water and trees! That could be a Christmas card.

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That's kind of you, Bob. Thank you!

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I thought the same thing last night and this morning when it was so lovely at 6am: it's a gibbous moon. And I was grateful for whichever teacher taught me that term.

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What a beautiful message 💙 it’s so easy to forget about our own happiness in the everyday of our lives. I saw the first snowflakes in Basel today and felt that joy!

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Lovely!

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Those words you chose to wrap up this fine piece of writing were wise beyond measure! Beautiful pictures to accompany a beautiful stack. Many thanks for sharing.✍️👏

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Thank you for being here. ❤️

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Ramona, this is beautiful. And Michigan in Winter is so beautiful, from inside 😂

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Yes! Enjoy your winter, too!

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I'm happy with you and for you Mona.

Thank you for sharing that sweet love of what is at this moment.

Beautiful.

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Thank you, dear Lisa. 💕

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Shouldn't schmouldn't! My joy is in feeling happy for you! I'm loving that Ed gets to keep his place on the podium. And when, this winter, the snow has lost its luster, you're allowed to feel (as my friends and I say) fewer happy. We can't know one without the other. Happy homecoming, Mona.

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Perfect, as always, Elizabeth! I will take your words to heart. ❤️

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Validation of your decision to stay in the UP another winter!

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I'd like to think so. We'll see... 😏

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Thank you so much for this breath of fresh air, Ramona! It couldn't come at a more opportune moment for me. As I'm battling the repercussions of living in a fascist state (in this case, it's book banning in our local isds) and watching the "justice" system abuse some of my patients further, I desperately needed a message of hope and joy. I appreciated your pictures of such beauty and the reminder to stop and feel the joy wherever I can find it.

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I'm sorry you're having to fight those battles--on top of everything else still waiting to be resolved. I do recommend backing away now and then and grabbing what joy you can find.

It's like food for the soul.

It nourishes every bit as much as a slice of black raspberry cheesecake with chocolate curls... 💕

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The visual of the cheesecake is wonderful! Raspberries and chocolate are an incredible combination!

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I don't know why it popped into my head, but it wouldn't go away!

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I love this so much, Ramona!

My husband of nearly 30 years and I had a simple but lovely Thanksgiving together, just the two of us, and I felt myself (as often happens these days) trying to decide how much to let myself just enjoy it, ever mindful of how much there is to be deeply concerned about.

As I read your words, however, it is crystal clear to me how essential it is to fully experience life’s joys alongside its sorrows. Thank you. ❤️

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It sounds like you and your husband had a lovely day. Yes, enjoy! There's enough time for sadness. ❤️

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Only Love Prevails.

I can’t bring them back again

Those moments I hold fast in memory

Dear ones dancing in my dreams

Still reaching out to me

When Spring has come and gone again

And brilliant Summer pales

And Fall sets sail in frosty winds

Only love prevails

No, I can’t change the flow of time

Tho sometimes I’ve wished that I could

But my heart shall bind up all loose ends

And keep them mine for good

So let us recall some old songs

And sing them out around the fire

And hail once more our loved ones before

The hour that we retire

When Spring has come and gone again

And brilliant Summer pales

And Fall sets sail in frosty winds

Only love prevails

Malcolm McKinney 2006

,

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Malcolm, that is exquisite! Thank you so much for sharing it.

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Thanks for the compliment.

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