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Tag: Loss

Loss

Hold on to This

Knowing his death was just months away, John began to get rid of things. He tossed tattered manila folders from his file cabinet. He gave away books. He added clothes to the Goodwill box. I could struggle with letting go of a calendar from 1987, but if John held on to anything it was because it truly had value. John knew how to let go of that which no longer served him. So when he left his journals, I knew it wasn’t an accident. John died in September of 2011. By October I had made my way through most of
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Okoboji Independence

The view of Lake Okoboji is as beautiful this year as it was 20 years ago when I saw it for the first time. It imparts peace in the morning, awe at sunset, and reflection at night. For over a decade this was the place of joyful summer fun for my family. Memories abound. My children racing about for our traditional scavenger hunt. The image of my youngest standing alone on the dock, fishing pole in hand. Walking hand in hand with my husband along the shore. Daily trips to the Nutty Bar Stand for a chocolate and peanut covered cube
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Leaving its Mark

Today was the day. On what would have been our fifteenth wedding anniversary I remove the delicate yellow and white gold band from the third finger of my left hand. It had been my mother’s.  I was never much for diamonds, and happily wore this modest symbol of my commitment for the entire world to see. Today I remove its magical and protective powers with a small tug on my hand and a big one on my heart. Being married conveys instant status in our culture.  Like being born white or able bodied or straight, it bestows upon us an
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