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Jendi's avatar

So glad you're back! As it happens, I WAS wondering yesterday, "It's been awhile since I got a post from John Shore. I hope he hasn't experienced another natural disaster, other than living in America, that is."

Also, speaking as someone who reads humor poems for a contest, your gibberish is way above the usual standard!

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John Shore's avatar

That's all I ask for: that my gibberish be above average. Jendi! So good to hear from you, as ever. What contest? Do you enjoy that?

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Jendi's avatar

It's the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest at Winning Writers, which will reopen August 15. Definitely one of my more pleasant tasks as WW Editor.

https://winningwriters.com/our-contests/wergle-flomp-humor-poetry-contest-free

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Nancy Jones's avatar

I have emptied that container and one even more unspeakable for a man I loved and would do it again in a heartbeat. It’s what we do when we love someone unconditionally. Glad you are back

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John Shore's avatar

What a trenchant and kind message. Thank you for taking the time to write that, Nancy. And so true, just what you've said. Love finds service a privilege, not a burden.

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Dr Deborah Vinall's avatar

Delightful to find a new post from you in my overflowing inbox! Looking forward to your thoughts on god and anything else you have to say - I'm here for it!

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Margi Prideaux, PhD's avatar

Oh John. I am so glad you are back. Your essays (whatever the subject) bring light to the day. I read them out loud to my husband ... and that sharing laughter thing you talk about ... laughter is transported into our home. Deep, laugh out loud beauty. Thank you. We welcome any subject ... God or any other sponsor. Bring it on. 🧡

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John Shore's avatar

"Any other sponsor"! I love it. Thank you Margi--for your thoughtfulness, your encouragement, and the amazing writing you do. Hope all is going well in your ... quadrant of reality.

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Linda Caron's avatar

Welcome back! And your wonderful wife too. Your talk about always being on the defense so that people like you because in your core you thought you were alone really hit me. It's something I have realized about me in the last few months. I'm trying to figure out how to deal with it.

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John Shore's avatar

How are you dealing with it, Linda? Is it something you're consciously trying to mitigate, or just hoping that your being aware of it will help it go away, or . . . ? Thanks for this note, by the way. You're at least a LITTLE less alone now, having shared that precious bit of yourself.

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Linda Caron's avatar

I am consciously rewriting the “tapes” in my head that my Catholic upbringing put in there. I am also doing everything that I can to ensure I am a “cycle-breaker” and that my grandchildren never have messages of shame or being unloveable ever placed in their beautiful heads.

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SPW's avatar

Hello John! Been wondering where you were all these many months. So glad to know you are still selling doors and windows. I sincerely hope you can continue to do so up there. Things aren’t looking too happy these days. But one day at a time, right?

Cat, just as I and many others have done, did what she wanted to do for you because she figured that after all the years y’all have had together, you were worth it; no matter the cost. That’s what we do for those we love. I guarantee she’s not keeping an account.

FYI, my move has still been a good one. Life has slowed down yet sped up at the same time. Funny how that works. PNut and I are living a life of leisure and just getting older. It’s hard to believe I’m standing on the threshold of 80. So enjoy the time you have together and hey, don’t be a stranger.

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John Shore's avatar

One day at a time, yes and always and what, after all, choice do we have in that? Thanks for checking in, SPW. Glad to hear your move is still feeling awesome to you! Seems like such a GOOD move.

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BJW's avatar

Going through what you've gone through will definitely shake someone up. I had the (NOT) pleasure of knowing that my husband nearly died twice last year: cancer in the prostate, cancer in the brain.

So Cat has been through this journey by your side. If she's like me, she is willing to run herself down to save you. I did many, many exhausting trips to the hospital 50 miles away. But I was going to do what I could to save my husband.

I imagine Cat feels quite protective of you. And it's hard for manly men to be in that position, but at least you and my husband managed.

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John Shore's avatar

Hi BJW. Yeah, gosh, I remember that terrible trouble with your husband's health. How awful. I remember too, that grueling business with your hospital being at such a great distance. Yowzer. I'm really glad to hear from you. Thanks for your kind and loving message to me, to us.

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