30 Comments

“And it feels as if we’re still doing it”— now that made ME cry.

Ramona’s Michigan readers, please consider making a donation to the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan — it’s easy (multiple payment options). ❤️

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Thanks for that plug! They're a pretty remarkable group. ❤️

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I love a bit of thrift myself and this is a great find! I happen to believe there's a kind of mysticism afoot that connects people with these things.

I often get a feeling that something special is out there and I am led right to it.

Happy New Year - and as always, thank you for your encouragement and support about joining Substack xo

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A compadre! Yes!

And you're welcome. I'm glad you're here. ❤️

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Wow, that is one of my favorite quotes; I actually created an anniversary card for my husband using that beautiful quote, as it's very true in our case!

Seems it is in yours as well, Ramona, and my heart breaks a little reading about your story with Ed ... I'm jumping into your "widow's walk" after leaving here.

I, too, love vintage and "found art" (love that phrase); there's something about things that endure ...

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Thank you, Lorraine. Happy to share this with you!

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Hi Ramona,

I just love your funky cool

found object! Colorful, stylized, whimsical & evoking feelings. (Especially the sad-sweet feelings you’ve written about) What more could you ask of an objet d’art? I, too, love resale shops. In fact, if I’d seen that piece first, it would be st MY house >>wink<< !! WRC is the BEST!

But even more so, I loved what you wrote. Thank you for this. Feelings come & feelings go. They sneak up on us, especially at holidays. I had some sneak up on me, too. Wishing you all the BEST in your New Year. *This could be our year of shopping therapy. 🙄

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"Shopping therapy". Yes! (Sorry to add: I'm glad I found it first!) ❤️

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Lololol😀

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Your writing is so thoughtful, and real. I am guessing the plaque means more than an image of a fairy tale conveys, and the understanding that it WAS hard but love prevailed must be profound. I haven't experienced that (with a grown person--I love my children and my animals in spite of warts, misunderstandings, arguments, etc.), and I don't know if it's just me or not finding the person. In any case, I admire and respect a person who can wallow. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

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Kim, thank you for your thoughts. I do know how to wallow! ❤️

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Very very how it is. Beautiful.

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Thank you, Danny. 💕

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That's magic enough for me. What a beautiful share. Your love story will be my blanket for today's protection from all that isn't a beautiful love story.

Thank you.💖

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Lisa, you always have the kindest words. Thank you for your support. Sincerely. My wish is that this year will be the best for you. May you find peace and joy and love. ❤️

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Like you, I love a good resale shop, and this is a treasure. It makes me wonder why someone gave it away? Bad breakup? Glad it’s yours now.

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I hadn't thought of that! There's a sad story in it. Hmm.

Maybe now it's where it belongs...

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The minute I saw the picture, I was ready to begin my search for a duplicate. Our love hasn’t fit a traditional pattern either. My husband is not a romantic because he never saw romance in his parents’ arranged marriage. However, my husband is a do-er, a steady husband, a wonderful father, a spectacular granddad, pie baker extraordinaire, a generous and kind neighbor and he has the greatest patience for the mercurial me. Instead of looking for a duplicate of your plaque, I guess I should write all that down and hang it over his dresser.

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That would work. It'll be from your heart. 💖

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That is beautifully said, Ramona. I know the feelings. I was coming home after a lovely family Christmas celebration, and I knew it was coming. Could I make it back in time? I closed the front door of the apartment behind me - and the dam burst. Sobs that he wasn't there to share it and life with me.

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Janice, there must be something about being home, where we're safe to feel those things we try to hide from everyone else. Or we feel surrounded by the person we've loved. They're here with us and that's a good thing.

A good cry is a good thing, too. It's a necessary release. It took me a while to learn that, but this one was a surprise. I didn't see it coming! ❤️

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It makes sense. It was more of hiding for me - they have moved on, and that's fine, but it sneaks up on me occasionally. I think that crying is a. part of healing.

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Ramona, that's so lovely. And I can deeply relate to needing to go home and wallow before you cry. What a gift and what an accomplishment to have had such a love story.

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Thank you, Noha. Our lives take such turns and often we have no control. So, yes, wallowing is allowed! So are tears. So is acceptance. So is joy. ❤️

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Big hugs. Beautiful. ❤️

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Thanks. Big hugs back! 💕

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This story is lovely on so many levels, filled with sadness and joy. Sending you lots of virtual hugs.

This also reminds me that I have not been in a thrift store for so many years. I think I will put that on my 2025 to do list.

Thank you for sharing this story with all of us. Peace to you.

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Thank you, Curtis. But a warning: once you've found something wonderful at a thrift store you're going to be hooked!

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I love that plaque and the perfect words. I also love the thrift shop's mission. I'd definitely be with you shopping there if I lived nearby, as I too love thrift shops. What a wonderfully touching post. I'm sending you a big hug.

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Big hug back! 💞

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