13 Comments

Dear Sheila,

I love your writing. After reading, I plan to make comments that are intelligent and literate. Time elapses and I forget to follow up. Today I can taste the pears and am enjoying your red wine. Thanks very much for sharing. I must admit I was confused by your Facebook postings at the start thinking that you were on a virtual journey. I am glad that you made the trip for real and breathed fresh air and met a surrogate grandfather. How comforting to know that you could relax and take your shoes off with someone that you just met that day.

Fondly,

Your College Classmate Abbie

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Oh, Abbie. I laughed out loud when you wrote, "you could relax and take your shoes off with someone that you just met that day." Thank you for being so specific in your comment. That's good writing.

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Oh Sheila, this is a beautiful piece! I could truly feel the comfort you must have experienced . Your description of this location in space and time is so vivid, and your connections so palpable. For all that you must have experienced, the respite from your boots and the random choice of fruit have to be among the most precious. Unexpected and fundamental gifts. I have so enjoyed your posts through this journey. Thank you so much for sharing .❤️

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Sheila! What an amazing adventure! Thank you for sharing and inspiring me to get out into the world. And… I feel I must get my hands on a pear!!!

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Oh, Susan. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate that, plus the reminder of my final pear, now consumed.

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I followed your journey on FB, but loved hearing more detail about it here. Looking forward to hearing more!

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Thank you, Mari Lou. One of the Newark Academy Latin teachers used to say something to the effect of putting students in frying pan, holding them accountable. Although that sounds horribly Draconian, he always said it with such great wit. In the same spirit, I can say that I hope to keep myself accountable by reporting about this trip.

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The only thing missing from this lovely story is an image of you with your adoptees. Happy New Year!

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Doc, you are too kind. More on the adoptees at a later date, I hope.

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What a delightful read this was, my friend. And how amazing your adventure!

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That is high praise indeed, my friend. Thank you.

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Ah, Sheila! Writing something like this is motivation to travel!! Delightful reading for me on this gray Maine day with an icy rain coming down.

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I would walk any camino with you, my friend. Hasta Maine, soon enough.

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