18 Comments
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Rhonda Wiley-Jones's avatar

What a sweet story. I love the thought of past, present & future converging.

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Lisa DeYoung's avatar

yes- what you’ve said, Rhonda!

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Jennifer Hunt's avatar

I’m there with you Candace, as I recall moments with my children. I’m so proud of who they’ve become and I love telling my grandchildren about things their parents did. They were lucky enough to each spend a summer in Australia.

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Kristen Warms's avatar

This was beautiful. It made me cry. Thank you for sharing it.

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Valerie Grant's avatar

"Like three passengers on a train..." - beautiful.

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

My goodness, Candace, you're even much more creative in your wish list at 13. Have a bird's eye view of Paris. And one hundred things to even be aware of to do by the time we die. Do we even think of that at 13? WOW! That was a very creative teacher you had back then, which is why your mind is so open to the world now. And to think of the past, present, and future talking to each other. Beautiful. Simply beautiful. Then again, you've just spent a weekend amid thousands of tulips. Stunning.

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Christiane BdO's avatar

This is sooooo beautiful, poetic, romantic.

Humanity needs more of your words right now 🙏🙏

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JoDee Luna's avatar

Beautiful poem and post! Having lived in Holland for almost 8 years, half of which included my children, I relate with this so much!

My travels through Europe took me to the countries you highlighted. How amazing that you are giving these experiences to your children!

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Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Amazing how your words at age 13 helped manifest this life of yours. Beautiful. ❤️

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Aislinn Lilly's avatar

Oh I loved this so much! It warmed me up and I felt my chest lift. Thank you for sharing!

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

Endearing!

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Kym VdP's avatar

So lovely and your artwork is stunning!!

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Sandra's avatar

Simply beautiful, Candace, thank you!

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Aussie Jo's avatar

This was such a lovely post

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Notes from the Dragon's Nest's avatar

How wonderful the weaving of time and relationships. Such a beautiful read, Candace!

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Switter’s World's avatar

The pause that refreshes! Thank you, Candace.

You reminded me of my long neglected bucket list. Maybe I’ll dig it out to check on my progress. I can remember a few things on the list:

- Climb Mount Kilimanjaro. I climbed Mount Kenya and decided it was good enough.

- Read all of Wendell Berry’s books. I got caught up at one point, but he’s prolific, so I need to get back to work.

- Meet a US president. I saw Bill Clinton in a blue jogging suit once close by at the National Defense University, so that probably doesn’t count. I can’t decide if meeting the presidents of Botswana, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Azerbaijan count instead. I also saw Putin up close, so that’s a definite minus, but I can offset him with the presidents of Turkey, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan, all in one day at a state funeral in Azerbaijan.

- The Friday camel races in Khartoum and the Dervish dances, which I saw. I was even tempted to buy a camel, but how to get it home?

I’ll find my list and maybe write yet another Candace-inspired post.

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Katharina Bossmann's avatar

Perfect!

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