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Aug 19, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

Thank you for this, Ramona. In our community, we call it the Invisible Net of Love. It's always there but we don't notice it until we reach out, then it snugs up around us catching us from falling. The people who make up the ropes of that net are ones you might expect like family, friends, neighbors and also unexpected ropes like acquaintances and friends of friends or friends of family who snug you up just as tight. I'm delighted to hear that your Invisible Net is holding you close.

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Beautifully put, Susan. 'The Invisible Net of Love' is perfect! So is 'snug you up tight'.

That's exactly what it feels like!

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My family and friends have been so supportive since Dan died - almost two years ago. I want to be independent, I want to stand on my own two feet, I hate having to ask for help, and I couldn't have done it on my own. Accept, enjoy, appreciate, and be there for others - that I can do that.

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I know what you mean. Since I'm far away from my family most of the time, it falls on my friends to take up the slack, and they've been amazing! I need to pay better attention when it happens to others. I think that's the lesson I'm taking away from all of this.

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Perhaps, we have to have "been there" to recognize when it happens to others. My compassion and empathy are heightened from experiencing the gifts others gave me.

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Yes, absolutely. I needed to learn to be more gracious with my acceptance, and at the same time it opened my eyes to my own need to be more gracious in giving.

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Aug 19, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

Beautiful, Mona. Friends are gifts

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Yes, they really are.

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It is difficult to accept kindness at times. A complicated melange of feelings are inevitably aroused, sometimes dependent on our upbringing, sometimes not. But, it's a wonderful catharsis when a realization dawns in the way you are describing. Like anything in life, the trick is sometimes knowing when our moment to genuinely help someone who genuinely needs it is upon us, and being ready to seize it.

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Matt, it does feel complicated sometimes. Our emotions are all over the place, anyway, and then to have to do a complete turn-around and learn to accept that the people there to help sincerely want to help--it's kind of startling. An eye-opener. But so, so nice.

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This is just beautiful Ramona!

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Aug 22, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

Beautifully written, as usual, Mona. I wish that we could just pop over and lend a hand, but, we won’t be making that crossing anytime soon. I’m happy to know that you do have a willing, loyal, and compassionate army nearby…who genuinely care about you! Relax and let them in! 😘❤️

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Thank you, Kathy. You're a big part of my support clan, even from across the border! 💞

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Aug 22, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

Sorry about Ed, Ramona, but happy for you and your network of loved and loving ones. This moved me profusely. I’m hoping my husband and I will one day go together, too, even if it’s a somewhat naive thought.

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It's a hopeful thought borne of love, and of necessity. We never want to dwell on the inevitable--that one of us will die first and the other will be left to grieve. There's no way to prepare for it, either, so enjoy the days you have together knowing that, if you're lucky, they'll bring more happiness than pain. It's all any of us can hope for.

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Sep 26, 2022Liked by Ramona Grigg

Thank you for these thoughts, Romona.

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I love this piece so much. I love all of the essays in this section. This one, as many, teared me up and made me laugh out loud--"I have vintage"! Thank you for this ode to having friends in our lives who see us and hold us up.

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I love this piece so much. I love all of the essays in this section. This one, as many, teared me up and made me laugh out loud--"I have vintage"! Thank you for this ode to having friends in our lives who see us and hold us up.

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