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Deborah Rutherford's avatar

What a wonderful memory and beautiful place. Yes I believe we are always with God. It's a beautiful way to live ✨️ ❤️

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Oh, it really is.

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Hayley Rawnsley's avatar

Oh Deidre, this is beautiful. You reminded me of my summer trips with my family to cabins in Santa Barbara and how magical it was. I so want this to be a summer of thin spaces too!

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Oh, those trips do sound magical. Praying that this summer is abounding in thin spaces for you, Hayley.

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Hayley Rawnsley's avatar

Thanks so much! 🥰

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Carly Bush's avatar

This is exactly it.

I’ve been trying to cultivate this exact feeling this summer, too. So far it has involved a lot of staring at the sunlight through the trees at dusk and admiring birdsong, but also eating freeze pops like I’m a kid again.

One of the reasons I want children so badly is to be able to see the world through their eyes again. With awe and joy and reverence. But I believe the truly observant adult can find the magic again if we really try.

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Oh, this whole comment was beautifully worded and so full of whimsy. I agree 100%—I think if we set off in search of enchantment and wonder, we WILL find it.

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Carly Bush's avatar

Oh, for sure.

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Alicia Hamilton's avatar

I love everything you write. This is beautiful.

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Alicia, that means so, so much to me. Thank you. Thank you for taking your precious time to read these words, and then to come in here and encourage me, too. You’re wonderful.

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civil winters's avatar

Deidre! this is pure and absolute whimsical song from beginning to end. can i join you in your summer shenanigans? i'm a little farther north, but we have tallgrass prairie spanning the length of the horizon! i imagine young you— and *this* you— might find it ringing aplenty with the sounds you are keenly listening for. :) <3

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Civil—please, PLEASE join me in all the summer shenanigans! Also, tallgrass prairie is something I've never encountered and I think it sounds just marvelous.

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civil winters's avatar

i think you'd love it. it's the most endangered ecosystem, and the parts of it that have been preserved are nothing short of stunning. <3 if you're ever up here, you'll have to let me know!

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Wow. I didn’t know any of this. I definitely will—I have a dream of meeting more online friends IRL in these upcoming years. Especially in beautiful places!

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Rachael Denny's avatar

This rings very true!

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Deidre Braley's avatar

May your summer be filled with thin spaces here, there, and everywhere, Rachael!

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Rachael Denny's avatar

Thank you! I intend the same for you.

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Anne Dicker's avatar

Love, love love, thanks for the memory. I remember the thrill of getting back on pavement too. Moose, geese, the Wm Whacker!, your father taking us on canoe paddles. A special time♥️

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Deidre Braley's avatar

Yes—we'll have to compare and compile memories sometime. I was wishing I could get my hands on some pictures from Michaud Farm, too. Do you know if we have any?

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Emily Curzon's avatar

We learn so much from our children, don’t we?! Or our childlike selves. I often remind myself that Jesus said that children are co-owners in His kingdom so there must be something there. Beautiful writing as usual, Deidre!

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