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Susan Mulder's avatar

Listening to you narrate your post my mind filled with the scent of lilacs...your words transport and it is a delight to savor what you share🌱

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Laura B.'s avatar

Once one is captured by that heady scent, it is not easily forgotten! I love it so much and it means spring to me, but my husband dislikes it—says it is too strong.but this is one reason I love it so much! One bouquet perfumes the entire house! Thanks for stopping in, friend. 💚

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Patricia Hunter's avatar

Beautiful, as always, Laura. I always hang on every word you write/speak. I think I've mentioned it before, but a couple of years ago we drove from a wedding Philadelphia to our son's home in Louisiana, and my favorite state to drive through was West Virginia. I wish we had not been in such a hurry to get to Louisiana. I wanted to spend more time along the side of the road, gazing at the beauty and imagining life - the good and not so good - in those rural mountains.

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Laura B.'s avatar

Thank you so much, Patricia, you are so kind. WV is on the way to many places and we have a lot of folks passing through! If you ever have time to stop, let me know and maybe we could meet up 💚

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LL's avatar

"Perhaps the opposite of fatalistic looks like creating new traditions when seasons of life come and go."

An intriguing thought.

(and a beautiful piece, Laura :)

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Laura B.'s avatar

This thought and practicing it has helped me through many transitions, Laura. Thanks for your stopping by and your encouraging words 😊

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Rebecca D. Martin's avatar

This is beautiful, Laura. I have twice lived in Appalachia (North Carolina and Virginia), and now live on the outskirts, close to Shenendoah. The hills and hollows make my soul sing, and I appreciate how you've captured the beauty alongside the hardship and loss.

I once wrote an essay about driving through the West Virginia mountains while listening to Rich Mullins ("Once I went to Appalachia / You know my father, he was born there.") https://www.curatormagazine.com/rebeccamartin/mountain-roads-sing-me-home/ It's more about the beauty aspect, feeling most at home in these hills. You capture that aspect so well.

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Laura B.'s avatar

Rich Mullins would be good company as you drive through anywhere but this sounds perfect, Rebecca! I will read your reflection asap! Thanks for your kind words. 💚

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Ada Boggess's avatar

Laura, you have nailed the essence of Appalachia! Sixty years ago I did a self study on Appalachia and learned all the things that you have shared. The beauty around us is wonderful!! We don’t want to leave.

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