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Pat Eastwood's avatar

Thank you for this beautiful, uplifting essay.

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Julie A DeSisto's avatar

Thank you for your message of hope.

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The Braver Mom's avatar

I bet that tour in the flag making facility was really interesting ☺️ three million a year, wow!

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Caleb Burns's avatar

How very, very moving! Thanks for posting your ideas and acknowledging again how important it is to care for others! (As you do time and time again!)

Wishing you and hubby the very, very best!

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Debbie Kitchen's avatar

Thanks for compassion in telling this story. I always hope good comes out of tragedy. Let’s hope this impacts the deniers in some way.

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Ryū Baldoquín's avatar

Indeed! Thank you. As always, appreciations for your words. The images of girls brought smiles and warmth. And yes, the dance of light and darkness is endless. How we dance to it, makes the utmost difference. May Independence flow, and, like a river toward the sea, transform into Interdependence.

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Ruth Sternglantz's avatar

Thank you, Connie. Also, not foreseeing how awful this second term would be is not a failure of imagination. It's a tribute to your own fundamental kindness and decency and, if I may, your up-close-and-personal knowledge of what true public service is. You knew those weren't not the values that animate the current Regime, but there is a limit to how far from baseline you could imagine them straying.

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Amazon Anne's avatar

As always, a ray of hope in these dismal times.

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Evelyn Kountoupes's avatar

I kind of skipped the 4th of celebrations- not really on purpose,

more from listlessness from the exhaustion of "fighting" what's all around us, & lack of faith in the medical world I'm having to endure right now. But bythe end, of Sat. and& especially upon reading this: "Let The Bells Ring", I do see the increasing light through the proverbial flag...just waiting for it

glow grow brighter!... Please keep reminding us!

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Eden Sulzer's avatar

Connie, you continue to show us that we can choose to find hope and possibility in a time of despair.. your words are a source of comfort & strength.

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Carmel-Ann Mania's avatar

my thoughts so much align with yours. I try to acknowledge and then beat back the fears and anxiety. Thank you for the lovely reminder that we are still here and are not alone!

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Kathy Bryan's avatar

Happy for you that your new community is welcoming. Your new home is just that, and fortunate to claim you and Sherrod.

Our chosen celebration was much quieter. We watched Joseph Campbell talking with Bill Moyers about heroes and myths. Soothing salve for these souls.

Thank you, Connie.

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Mark Kinsler's avatar

We will take it back. We will repeal the new dumb laws and reverse the new dumb judicial rulings,

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Jude Klinger's avatar

I'm in Italy for a few months, and everywhere I go, people are asking us, "What is happening?" and the unanswerable question, "Why?" Yesterday we were at a presentation celebrating the Indian contribution to saving Italy during WWII. Most of the comments were about extending brotherhood & peace to one another. One of the speakers said something that has truly stuck with me: "Can we build bridges instead of walls?" Americans are good people, so why can't we build some bridges and tear down some walls?

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Molly Brudnick's avatar

I appreciate that you write and what you write. trump et al is attacking the media now. so, the media and like minded liberals and representatives need to take leadership and organize and fight them legally.

Where are our democratic leaders?

I am an 89 yr. old retired medical social worker with no clout, other than writing and a few dollars.

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JoAnn DiPaula's avatar

Thank you, Connie. Your words have started a little spark in my heart; just what I needed 😊🇺🇸

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