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Jan 2, 2025
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Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Michiganographer's avatar

“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). ❤️

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Sue Sutherland-Wood's avatar

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

Ramona Grigg's avatar

A compadre! Yes!

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

Lorraine Devon Wilke's avatar

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 ...

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Kristin Beauchamp's avatar

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. 🙄

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Kristin Beauchamp's avatar

Lololol😀

Kim's avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Danny Hoback's avatar

Very very how it is. Beautiful.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Thank you, Danny. 💕

Lisa Whitacre's avatar

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.💖

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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. ❤️

Mary Austin (she/her)'s avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Maybe now it's where it belongs...

Janice Walton's avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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! ❤️

Janice Walton's avatar

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.

Noha Beshir's avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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. ❤️

Michelle Lindblom's avatar

Big hugs. Beautiful. ❤️

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Thanks. Big hugs back! 💕

Curtis Dush's avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

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

Lynda Heines's avatar

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.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Big hug back! 💞

Gloria Horton-Young's avatar

I love art. Art makes my heart to flips and twirls.

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Me too. It preserves my sanity.

Patti Ecker's avatar

Omg, we have the same tile in our bedroom. Bought it at a gallery in Door County!

Ramona Grigg's avatar

Lucky you! The tile artist is from Wisconsin, in fact. Info in the footnote at the end.

Patti Ecker's avatar

Yes, we bought it new, with his info in a note in the box. We like supporting Midwest artists. Lucky you for thrifting it! ❣️