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Dec 23, 2022
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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Suz. All the comments do my heart good, that's for sure. God, what an awful week it's been. xo

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Jim the Geek's avatar

Linda I'm so sorry for your pain, and appreciative of your work and good wishes. While there is nothing I can do or say to help, do know that you are important to me.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks Jim, I appreciate you, too.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Merry Christmas, Linda! I'm sorry you had a rough week. I'll keep an eye out for the stars- if there's an upside to arctic blasts, it's that there's usually plenty of them in the night sky.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

I can relate to artic blasts. It's -45 here and feels strangely fitting.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

Seems weird to like any sentence with “-45” in it, but here we are. Only -4 where I’m at. Feels like a heat wave comparatively.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Yes, -4 would be balmy by comparison for sure!

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Don't Call Me Granny's avatar

Sorry for your loss, Linda. Your holiday message is perfect--it's all about those gathered around the tree. Keep writing and I'll be there.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Carol. I appreciate you.

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Carolyn McBride 🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦's avatar

I'm sorry loss has visited you at all, but this time of year seems especially cruel. I hope the coming year is full of peace, success and love.

Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thank you Carolyn. You are appreciated.

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Kerry Kerr McAvoy's avatar

Oh Linda! I’m so, so sorry. Grief and I are well acquainted. December 26th is the 8th anniversary of learning of my late husband’s terminal cancer. Then this past year my sister who was also my best friend died. There’s no Christmas tree up this year. I’ve been too sad. Too raw. Thank you for the holiday wishes in this very hard time. You mean a lot to me too. Sending you a big hug from chilly Austin TX.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

I can relate, Kerry. The first Christmas of Covid we lost Mom. I will never forget walking out of the hospital crying while Silver Bells played in the background. I am so sorry you lost your sister this year. Sending hugs back from the frozen north. -45 here and it seems fitting.

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Vanessa Gunter's avatar

Oh Linda - I'm so sorry. I lost someone special a couple of weeks ago myself and you're right - the world just has to stop for a while so you can get your bearings. I've been working on a piece about grief just to help me get through. I hope you have a warm, safe holiday surrounded by love. You know all of us will be thinking about you.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

It does, and thank you Vanessa.

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Linda Ann Robinson's avatar

YOU are important to many of us here in this virtual world. Your holiday wishes to us were SO beautiful. Thank you.

Life is sometimes hard. Sounds like last week was hard for you. Hang in there, with whatever is causing pain, heartache, the radio silence.

Glad that you are back. No apologies really needed, but are appreciated.

Wishing you peace and a lightened heart in this holiday season.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Linda. Loss is crazy hard and all the good wishes do my heart good. Thank you and hope the holiday season is peaceful in your home.

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Michael Doherty's avatar

Very sorry to hear of your loss, Linda. Thank you for such a heartwarming post and the reminder about what's really important in life. I wish the same for you as well as hopeful and happy New Year!

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Michael. Hope you're floating on water in the sunshine somewhere. Beats the heck out of the -45 we're having here.

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Subramani Lakshminarayanan's avatar

Please take care. Prayers and positive energies.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thank you, Subramani. I can use all of those you can offer.

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Nalini Dovedy's avatar

Thank you Linda. It was a beautiful letter

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Nalini. I appreciate that.

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Karen Schwartz's avatar

Linda, I'm sorry for your loss. Wow, even during times of tragedy, you're such an inspirational writer. Happy holidays to you and those you love.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

What a nice thing to say, Karen. Thank you.

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Denise Shelton's avatar

Merry Christmas, Linda. The best gift is time with those we love, for sure. I'm sorry for your loss. Wishing you much joy in the new year.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thank you Denise. Wishing the same to you.

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Ramona Grigg's avatar

No need to fret, Linda. Life takes precedence over everything else. I'm so sorry that sadness has struck just when we count on a little joy and calm to keep us going.

I love your thoughts today. It speaks of a generosity of spirit when I'm sure you'd rather just curl up into a ball and wish it all away.

Wishing you peace and a better new year. ❤️️

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Ramona. Sometimes we just need to do exactly that. Curl up into a ball and wish it all away. If only that worked. But we muddle through best we can.

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Kathryn A. LeRoy's avatar

Wrap yourself in the comfort of so many thoughts and words flowing across this virtual space. Despite the cruelty of loss and pain in our lives, I am always heartened by the generosity and kindness of the human spirit. On my Christmas Eve star, I wish for you peace and time to heal. Those of us who admire your work and wait for your insights will still be here.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thank you Kathryn, I appreciate that. I know that sense of peace is out there, it's just not in here. Not yet. One day.

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Joe Luca's avatar

Loss, just doesn't seem to own a watch or know what day of the month it is. It steps into our lives on its own schedule. I'm sorry to hear that loss paid you a visit last week - sorry indeed. But you're not alone. We know what you're going through, and that the pain, though great at first, lessens bit by bit over time. Take care, enjoy the rest of the season as best you can and be assured, you're in our thoughts & prayers.

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Linda Caroll's avatar

Thanks, Joe. It's such a shame we can't bargain or offer up a trade. I would have willingly offered to trade a few more of my years to have just a little longer but it doesn't work that way. Thanks for the thoughts and prayers. I could use them.

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