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Margaret Honeysette's avatar

You have so much on your plate right now. I'm so sorry to read of the loss to your family. He is still with you all but just in a different way. Hold on to the memories no matter what they are. Share them with everyone as often as you can. Sharing them helps those that are too young to remember him. The cookies look delicious and I am praying you get to stomp on that C some more tomorrow.

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3musesmerge's avatar

Thank you Margaret. Grateful you are here. ♥️

Stomp on C!

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Karen DeBonis's avatar

I'm so sorry for your family's loss, Gail. What a juxtaposition to the cookies--so full of life! As to your question of how many does it take to be happy...one or a gazillion, as long as you have the choice.

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3musesmerge's avatar

The muses vote for no less than 10 cookies each! 😂

I found today’s mass comforting. Grateful my FIL no longer has to fight for air.

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Gary Spangler's avatar

Here’s hoping healing from your knee surgery is progressing well. 😁

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Karen DeBonis's avatar

Thanks so much, Gary! I'm taking inspiration from Gail's positive attitude!

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3musesmerge's avatar

I had another cancer patient tell me he could see the smile behind my mask today. That made me smile bigger! ♥️

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Gary Spangler's avatar

At one point in the COVID/anti-COVID process with mandated masking up, I went on an errand. As I walked into the store a greeter staff member exclaimed, “It’s so nice to see a full face!” I’d forgotten to put mine on. I took her remark as a kind way of reminding me I needed a do over. Through those times, I became aware of how half a face limited visual cues. I worked to “enhance” how I used my eyes.

You must have taken the advanced course in communicating while masking. 😁 That there may also be a “vibe element” the other person was responding to would come as no surprise!

Meaty Blood? Plates of platelets? Infused?

CURE!

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3musesmerge's avatar

Me and a few other patients are wearing our masks on our chins… we’re well spaced. I for one will be ecstatic to see them go for good. I’ve never seen my oncologist’s full face. How strange in such a close relationship!

Not meaty. Looking at it as a birthday present! 😊 More in today’s letter. 👍🏻

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Gary Spangler's avatar

Yes! Gail is always an inspiration.

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Gary Spangler's avatar

I feel certain that all here, Gail and her amazing followers, are familiar with “The Dash.” The dash between “born date” and “date of passing.” As you do so well and often, Gail, you remind me to be in the dash and make a difference! Be present, be kind, be helpful to others, be generous with our own gifts.

I like your approach for Greg’s dad’s service today. And feel more than a little certain you will be of comfort to some, share fond memories with others, and come away knowing that your “dash” is of value to many others.

I’ll end with Sharon Marie Buckler’s words:

MEATY BLOOD! MEATY BLOOD! CURE!

I/Thou,

g

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3musesmerge's avatar

Today during mass I was thinking about some of the church/Jesus teaching. Much of it I had heard many times, but I felt a deeper connection today.

I “heard” that the kind of life God wants for us is one in which we use our talents/gifts to serve others. Our “ego” goals are not the “point”.

Meaty blood! I’ve still got a lot of living to do. ♥️💜💚

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Gary Spangler's avatar

Beyond a doubt! CURE!

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Billie Short's avatar

The dash is where the magic sauce is.

Bring Meaty Blood to the BBQ tomorrow Gail, along with delicate and beautiful dessert made with love by your niece. #magnificent

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3musesmerge's avatar

🤗

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Sharon Marie Buckler's avatar

Praying that you as you celebrate your father in laws life, that you share stories with your son to always memories close.

Oh and the cookies! Your niece is talented.

Meaty Blood! Meaty Blood!

Cure!

Xoxo

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3musesmerge's avatar

It was a beautiful mass. I found much meaning in the Father’s homily. My husband delivered a wonderful eulogy. 💜

Meaty blood! CURE!

xoxo

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Gary Spangler's avatar

👍😁

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Jack Herlocker's avatar

T-shirt: “I don’t usually brag about my expensive trips, but I *did* just get back from the gas station” 😁

{*{*{*hugs*}*}*} & 💚💚💚 for your FIL!

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3musesmerge's avatar

Ha! No kidding… just got home from the gas station. 😂

I heard a couple of stories in the eulogy that I didn’t know about today… one involved using empty beer boxes as suitcases. Funny! As requested, pretzels and beer were served at the luncheon. ♥️

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Gary Spangler's avatar

It’s a good thing our vehicles don’t have “dollar-ometers!”

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Pennie R. S. Nelson's avatar

Sorry for your loss Gail. My prayers are with you and all involved. Life and the way we live it is up to each individual. But enjoying the people who we have in it shouldn't be taken for granted. Much love

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3musesmerge's avatar

Thank you Pennie. My father-in-law was a good man who loved his family well. Grateful his health struggles are behind him.

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Bobby Kountz's avatar

There are no words for loss and yet all we have are words. They are a poor substitute at best to express the depth of feeling we experience as human beings.

Here’s the beginning of one attempt from long ago… The Bixby Letter: “I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement…”

This may be some of the best language ever.

You have my thoughts and prayers. 🙏🏼🕊🙏🏼

With that now said, I will have a cookie 🍪 myself tomorrow and be thinking of you as you surprise your health care team. 😊

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3musesmerge's avatar

https://time.com/4855857/abraham-lincoln-john-hay-bixby-letter/

The more I learn about Lincoln, the more I am in awe of the life he lived.

Thank you Bobby for your your generous contributions to 3mm!

Cookie cheers!

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