tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25087500218716274502024-03-15T21:12:38.510-04:00Life is Your StoryLife, Love, Loss and all that happens to you and to me in-between. Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.comBlogger135125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-30560078897777954602023-07-19T10:17:00.002-04:002024-01-23T10:32:01.343-05:00FAST TIMES AT WAGAR HIGH - 40 YRS GONE BY<p>IT'S 1983 AND MY BROTHER CHUCK AND I ARE LATE FOR SCHOOL (AGAIN). FORTUNATELY FOR US AND UNFORTUNATELY FOR OUR MOTHER, WE HAVE THE KEYS TO HER CAR.</p><p>OFF WE GO, ON A LONG ROAD TRIP (OF 5 MINUTES IN THE VAST LAND KNOWN AS COHEN -SAINT-LUC OR COTE-SAINT-LUC) TO WAGAR HIGH WHERE WE HAVE BEEN ATTENDING SCHOOL SINCE GRADE 8. CHUCK PULLS INTO THE LOT WITH A SIGN CLEARLY STATING "FOR TEACHERS ONLY" BECAUSE HE IS CHUCK.</p><p>OUR FRIENDS (MOST OF WHOM WE HAVE IN COMMON) ARE STANDING AT THE SIDE ENTRANCE SMOKING CIGARETTES OR PRETENDING TO SMOKE CIGARETTES (MARLBORO RED PURCHASED ON A DAY TRIP TO PLATTSBURGH). </p><p>HOMEROOM IS GYM CLASS SO WE SNEAK IN WITH OUR SWEATPANTS OVER OUR JEANS AND START A SLOW JOG AMONGST OUR CLASSMATES WHO SHOWED UP ON TIME.</p><p>MORNING DRAGS ON AND WE CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LUNCH BELL TO RING SO WE CAN SQUEEZE INTO ONE CAR AND HEAD TO LAFLEUR FOR A WELL BALANCED MEAL OF FRENCH FRIES (THAT WILL SWEAT PROFUSELY THROGH THE BROWN PAPER BAG).</p><p>LATER IN THE AFTERNOON, AS LAST PERIOD ROUNDS THE BEND, WE HAVE NO INTENTION OF SHOWING UP TO CLASS. INSTEAD WE VISIT MR.BEST IN THE WOOD SHOP, WHO FOR THE SMALL PRICE OF HOLDING OUR HANDS, WILL WRITE US A PERMISSION SLIP FOR MISSING CLASS. THE SPECIAL PROJECT NOTED ON THAT SLIP IS "A CROOKED, SPLINTERED BREAD BOARD" (THAT MY MOTHER STILL HAS).</p><p>THEN, WE RUN OUT THE SIDE ENTRANCE (WHERE ALL THE TEACHERS ON THAT SIDE OF THE BUILDING CAN SEE US "ESCAPING" ) AND AGAIN PILE INTO A CAR AND ONTO MOPEDS AND HEAD TO THE HOUSE WHERE THE PARENTS ARE NEVER HOME. THERE WE WILL DO NOTHING OTHER THAN TALK, LAUGH AND ENJOY THE HOURS PASSING BY.</p><p>WHEN WE WERE TEENS, WE WERE TOGETHER PRACTICALLY ALL THE TIME AND THE MOMENTS IN-BETWEEN, WE WERE ON OUR LAND LINES TALKING UP A STORM (AND A BUSY SIGNAL).</p><p>WE WOULD SPEND ALL DAY AT SCHOOL TOGETHER, THEN LUNCH, THEN AFTER SCHOOL WHICH OFTEN LED TO EATING AT YOUR FRIENDS HOUSE OR EVEN SLEEPING OVER. I WAS ALL INTO VISITING A FRIEND'S HOME AND SEEING HOW THEY LIVED, WHAT THEIR PARENTS AND SIBLINGS AND DOG/CAT WERE LIKE, WHAT THEY ATE FOR DINNER, WHAT THEIR "SCENT" WAS AND JUST A PEAK OF WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.</p><p>WE HAD EACH OTHER'S BACKS. WE LISTENED AND WERE PRESENT IN THE MOMENT. THINGS WERE CLEARER THEN. WE KNEW THAT SOMEONE IN EACH OF OUR FAMILIES WAS STRUGGLING, BARELY HANGING ON BECAUSE WE WITNESSED IT FIRST HAND. THERE WERE SINGLE PARENTS TRYING TO HOLD ONTO HOPE AND DOING THEIR BEST TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CHILDREN. THERE WERE PARENTS AND SIBLINGS WHO SPENT TIME WITH ALL OF US, ORDERED PIZZA, TOOK US PLACES, INSPIRED AND MADE US FEEL LIKE WE MATTERED.</p><p>THERE WAS ALWAYS A PLACE TO ESCAPE TO WHEN THINGS AT HOME GOT ROUGH. OUR NEIGHBOURHOOD BACK THEN WAS FILLED WITH FAMILIES THAT ALL KNEW ONE ANOTHER.</p><p>LIFE MOVES ON AND WE DRIFT OFF IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. WE LOSE SOME FRIENDS TO TRAGIC PASSINGS OR SOME TRAUMA THAT CAUSES THEM TO FALL APART AND VANISH BEFORE OUR EYES. </p><p>WE MEET NEW PEOPLE BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME AS THE FRIENDS WHO WERE ALONGSIDE OF US WHEN WE TOOK THE EARLY STEPS IN OUR JOURNEY. THERE IS A CERTAIN LOVE FOR A CHILDHOOD FRIEND. THEY ARE "HOME" AND WHETHER YOU SEE THEM WEEKLY OR ONCE EVERY FEW YEARS, YOU DON'T MISS A BEAT, YOU DANCE THE WALTZ YOU MASTERED SO LONG AGO.</p><p>IT'S BACK TO 1983, GRADUATION DAY! IT'S BEEN A SLICE OF FOUR YEARS - SWEET AND SOUR AND WE ARE CLUELESS AS TO WHAT AWAITS US. BUT TODAY AND TONIGHT THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS BEING SURROUNDED BY OUR FRIENDS. THE PLAN IS TO DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY, HEAD TO THE CROSS AT MOUNT ROYAL, FOOL AROUND AND FOOL AROUND SOME MORE AND TO STAY UP ALL NIGHT AND WAKE UP TOGETHER. WE LOVE EACH OTHER AND WE ARE INVINCIBLE. </p><p>40 YEARS HAVE GONE BY. SOMETIMES I HAVE THIS DREAM. I AM BACK LIVING IN MY CHILDHOOD HOME. MY FATHER IS STILL ALIVE AND CHATTING IT UP FROM HIS LAWN CHAIR ON THE BACK BALCONY WITH ANYONE ENTERING OR EXITING THE PARK. MY MOTHER IS COOKING DINNER, HELPING US WITH OUR HOME WORK, WRITING HER ARTICLES (ALL AT THE SAME TIME), MY DOG CASEY IS RUNNING UP AND DOWN THE HALL, MY BROTHERS ALREADY HAVE THEIR BASEBALL UNIFORMS ON EVEN THOUGH THEIR GAME DOES NOT START FOR HOURS. GENSIS/STYX/PINK FLOYD/ELO ARE PLAYING ON CHOM. </p><p>THE DOORBELL RINGS, MY FRIENDS COME IN, MY MOTHER FEEDS THEM AND THEN ASKS IF THEY HAD ENOUGH. AS THE SUN SETS, WE SQUEEZE INTO A CAR AND HEAD OFF INTO THE NIGHT WITHOUT A CARE IN THE WORLD BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT AS LONG AS WE'RE TOGETHER, EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.</p><p><br /></p><p>..........WAGAR CLASS OF 1983 40TH REUNION - OCTOBER 28, 2023 - THANK YOU GLENDA CAPLAN AND HEATHER ROSENTHAL FOR PLANNING THE EVENT.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVZfDdR5vMqb6bFg1oO5bWzH4ths8xtr1d7UcmfkZwkh59G334BW-jkYKVBOfRa33mbQ838CErjd6iJHHNQeTbLUHG9McYj3nVUFu3IebIVLRxx2th6JfNt2QPCo2yCs9G3DOMjz5WQDNs3RwiFBeEy1maNxpBIqAm0mh9A5FvCmXhTWOQIVeXwUR0fY/s604/131088A5-6EA2-4301-8382-2FB84270F806.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVZfDdR5vMqb6bFg1oO5bWzH4ths8xtr1d7UcmfkZwkh59G334BW-jkYKVBOfRa33mbQ838CErjd6iJHHNQeTbLUHG9McYj3nVUFu3IebIVLRxx2th6JfNt2QPCo2yCs9G3DOMjz5WQDNs3RwiFBeEy1maNxpBIqAm0mh9A5FvCmXhTWOQIVeXwUR0fY/s320/131088A5-6EA2-4301-8382-2FB84270F806.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7QBz2-KktyIsSn7tL9b1z9seSNjSkzdVff-wzGXuO_cV0NqRi8Gz3YscsGqxc3CTS9kAdJo7TtLxkcqrXj_O8ykyc_3tpwGMA0vvdXUlg6EGvaYlx9AwT3afiJMVpG6736P7-PQL0tnTAsblQ_lWAwP66P4sXvtlrSiYYnfbgbw609V5EYV6Zr8sheA/s3714/FF23C1F0-63BA-4187-AD27-4C90908613E4.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2494" data-original-width="3714" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7QBz2-KktyIsSn7tL9b1z9seSNjSkzdVff-wzGXuO_cV0NqRi8Gz3YscsGqxc3CTS9kAdJo7TtLxkcqrXj_O8ykyc_3tpwGMA0vvdXUlg6EGvaYlx9AwT3afiJMVpG6736P7-PQL0tnTAsblQ_lWAwP66P4sXvtlrSiYYnfbgbw609V5EYV6Zr8sheA/s320/FF23C1F0-63BA-4187-AD27-4C90908613E4.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPHmbCy8W6cDi0wg1izeBvmLjT4b9n1RUsTsJmym_to7ADOyY2gdAt3886wGTCDd9uokdfS3tBCev2v49v04EDQEENpYDwc06Dug_qVxFkJhRbQmNWrdU-IaxMJzXwQ5mqGIMXCqPMDHq3T7xbGPON6NZ7UONL_pEyChy5GHMlael70D-2tidJaIi-0/s1970/BAD68374-2EE6-4089-B648-B326C89649F6.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="1275" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOPHmbCy8W6cDi0wg1izeBvmLjT4b9n1RUsTsJmym_to7ADOyY2gdAt3886wGTCDd9uokdfS3tBCev2v49v04EDQEENpYDwc06Dug_qVxFkJhRbQmNWrdU-IaxMJzXwQ5mqGIMXCqPMDHq3T7xbGPON6NZ7UONL_pEyChy5GHMlael70D-2tidJaIi-0/s320/BAD68374-2EE6-4089-B648-B326C89649F6.heic" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQAwNwdUl6OUBkPb-rrzLdKr9iShuTq9RnUYzfn25K2QEzod494nd4aFKtNMhUT0mAxIIA577-oTvNL8K2IpZBFOdkucfiEt_d2JhpfBsKwgsKGq1k1nsmfLMZpjnnjWFAz_4knQtCqBllMrkWwvFFpau65-M4tA9congCf9Lt81T7ojBxqrUW9VxsHs/s2640/8BC40BCC-BA52-43EC-91F5-C9A7168835A3.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2640" data-original-width="1621" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQAwNwdUl6OUBkPb-rrzLdKr9iShuTq9RnUYzfn25K2QEzod494nd4aFKtNMhUT0mAxIIA577-oTvNL8K2IpZBFOdkucfiEt_d2JhpfBsKwgsKGq1k1nsmfLMZpjnnjWFAz_4knQtCqBllMrkWwvFFpau65-M4tA9congCf9Lt81T7ojBxqrUW9VxsHs/s320/8BC40BCC-BA52-43EC-91F5-C9A7168835A3.heic" width="196" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_h62AnHjFHDhGeWl0r5lf-n3veSky3bzunAONFxlOHAGDPz5a2IElrjLcnRUmyqo3b1bqycVNCgfAcR7GgQnC5UELYaDmK9YdUPANM1b6tBMXIz2oLfEHps6Xz1wtWPd-Yl25MgLBbBFEI61R0sxJbYa3DDeMAW8Nh9FJ5thM4oibRFy3n5uPVgOyGc/s4030/503F4304-AF82-414F-B146-6A69A199FD4D.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2745" data-original-width="4030" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_h62AnHjFHDhGeWl0r5lf-n3veSky3bzunAONFxlOHAGDPz5a2IElrjLcnRUmyqo3b1bqycVNCgfAcR7GgQnC5UELYaDmK9YdUPANM1b6tBMXIz2oLfEHps6Xz1wtWPd-Yl25MgLBbBFEI61R0sxJbYa3DDeMAW8Nh9FJ5thM4oibRFy3n5uPVgOyGc/s320/503F4304-AF82-414F-B146-6A69A199FD4D.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd4puQspbT4o2fxjc9U1JYGr6iQZmLnCVwaNSuajTkxxgoTBlwBxYTDhrY5yILhKoA_TfMoKs35L1W26Izfw1z832wGL95204WQz5vqCtxoIhFi9MSqmvtalfpsC7RQxbOvuVURoSUVcnIVkEdqjUtIlTQnI9CXRRM0o9te7l-DYqkqNN4L3tR1xo5es/s4032/086D3D86-FBD4-435F-8818-9860EDBC1526.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCd4puQspbT4o2fxjc9U1JYGr6iQZmLnCVwaNSuajTkxxgoTBlwBxYTDhrY5yILhKoA_TfMoKs35L1W26Izfw1z832wGL95204WQz5vqCtxoIhFi9MSqmvtalfpsC7RQxbOvuVURoSUVcnIVkEdqjUtIlTQnI9CXRRM0o9te7l-DYqkqNN4L3tR1xo5es/s320/086D3D86-FBD4-435F-8818-9860EDBC1526.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuAYlKIQngW2WqXcWJNF7ypu5DpPApEKGa44fDMKfZ0SDt9OCgP_ym2852iWSo9HewsCq9_hT9Ha-i4nQuz1c9Zq9p6fp36ORaec0Egf3MpEQh3vNC4hyZFR1KFVOVDjasQYi_lhwD44kEZtHZFeX_YIw7pdgCNAUwLO6Wy4NNjVl89xcqnEiu18AbfQ/s604/131088A5-6EA2-4301-8382-2FB84270F806.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYuAYlKIQngW2WqXcWJNF7ypu5DpPApEKGa44fDMKfZ0SDt9OCgP_ym2852iWSo9HewsCq9_hT9Ha-i4nQuz1c9Zq9p6fp36ORaec0Egf3MpEQh3vNC4hyZFR1KFVOVDjasQYi_lhwD44kEZtHZFeX_YIw7pdgCNAUwLO6Wy4NNjVl89xcqnEiu18AbfQ/s320/131088A5-6EA2-4301-8382-2FB84270F806.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIC9RDDpk6lnUot2p6ZD-dLqPeJDHIDSNvnrQOYQSxo9lzCL1NH0wtXUWclGVrdEDWXCxj93ZlwcOZUkRFOhRnRSqgsdxmLDMYcK8-3lvCaHAt0LX4TXXKLDriijBX5XTRu3hmHMybyKNeNWBIqQk_QFIo9KUI56OvL1ucZev865xG0uybjTyBgl_RPY/s3264/1120D347-A765-440F-9125-299CC5F493DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIIC9RDDpk6lnUot2p6ZD-dLqPeJDHIDSNvnrQOYQSxo9lzCL1NH0wtXUWclGVrdEDWXCxj93ZlwcOZUkRFOhRnRSqgsdxmLDMYcK8-3lvCaHAt0LX4TXXKLDriijBX5XTRu3hmHMybyKNeNWBIqQk_QFIo9KUI56OvL1ucZev865xG0uybjTyBgl_RPY/s320/1120D347-A765-440F-9125-299CC5F493DF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL0OhObvVkk3Z-8Begr6Y0g9ue8Za1Tyv-MssN8G7IQydMtwx4CB-AqHm08LM0NFY_XVNRn1PmnJaxUwnGyIWzgtxC936jraYhcc50A08AANUcEbL-LFwQzWX2OE-FSqzl90qKlESjb3lUl0BZX9SvlzUq6dwrBbv7jjSuhnBhbjxUqY9okjYHgiAuAE/s4032/67B680FD-2C9F-4803-8AB9-CA07F9E6C860.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaL0OhObvVkk3Z-8Begr6Y0g9ue8Za1Tyv-MssN8G7IQydMtwx4CB-AqHm08LM0NFY_XVNRn1PmnJaxUwnGyIWzgtxC936jraYhcc50A08AANUcEbL-LFwQzWX2OE-FSqzl90qKlESjb3lUl0BZX9SvlzUq6dwrBbv7jjSuhnBhbjxUqY9okjYHgiAuAE/s320/67B680FD-2C9F-4803-8AB9-CA07F9E6C860.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm2JNFblHEKNSoguVMeNXRZPkZHx71Ok2VK-ZEkPIgQEYeG11MaeFbYL1i4iFWM5uoC9q3x_a-_5CaE3MjuFZUo5tGA_-76ekl1Z7_GJ4wR8NVBP2U4m66rxfKZSAt17jvU7HFFI0IIa7m4dRo2dc6Td8TKwEeqFYOyQrVhFymiMCIw8O-ItNlox5x4A/s3264/42652F23-245F-464D-9E11-3EDCDF46397C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXm2JNFblHEKNSoguVMeNXRZPkZHx71Ok2VK-ZEkPIgQEYeG11MaeFbYL1i4iFWM5uoC9q3x_a-_5CaE3MjuFZUo5tGA_-76ekl1Z7_GJ4wR8NVBP2U4m66rxfKZSAt17jvU7HFFI0IIa7m4dRo2dc6Td8TKwEeqFYOyQrVhFymiMCIw8O-ItNlox5x4A/s320/42652F23-245F-464D-9E11-3EDCDF46397C.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K7es0zBx5KskCy4dTpJpcbKYmKWgcqD-c4d2Yc-_Fv05XuP69Wy_ML6yUngbsvCTtXbJ_lz45HE_aZMIiI4LcpV_VkrpPS42wY16Pos9os7wQqgfkSrgLY-_E8lQBFvkfyIniOJUVk870iv1wOIlxtd34s3AHlnJOvm0I6EZEE6rOAkPxtTjvP4p95M/s723/Lafleur-Frites.a27bf424d849.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="723" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_K7es0zBx5KskCy4dTpJpcbKYmKWgcqD-c4d2Yc-_Fv05XuP69Wy_ML6yUngbsvCTtXbJ_lz45HE_aZMIiI4LcpV_VkrpPS42wY16Pos9os7wQqgfkSrgLY-_E8lQBFvkfyIniOJUVk870iv1wOIlxtd34s3AHlnJOvm0I6EZEE6rOAkPxtTjvP4p95M/s320/Lafleur-Frites.a27bf424d849.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-41285240921274114332021-08-26T09:14:00.006-04:002023-07-27T15:50:23.640-04:00FRIENDS<p> I’m 16, hopping fences, one backyard to the next. It’s Fall and the air is hinting that winter is on its way. It’s one of those nights when you can smell everyone’s dinner cooking. It’s dark out, earlier than the previous month and the kitchen lights are on. I can see entire families seated at the table, eating, talking, enjoying the end of another day together.</p><br />I see single people alone, watching TV, eating slowly, stepping outside of themselves, wondering, when this became their nightly routine and how they ending up alone. <br /><br />I reach my house and enter the back door that we keep open because I am always losing or forgetting my keys. <br /><br />There are meals prepared for the week by my mother. My parents are both working, and my brothers are nowhere in sight. <br /><br />I warm up some chicken and rice and I am just about to chow down when the phone starts ringing, back in the day when everyone had a “land line” and if you were talking and someone else was trying to reach you, well they got a “busy” signal. <br /><br />So, the phone rings, it’s my friend L, she informs me that everyone is coming over to her place.<br /><br />There will be at least a dozen of us and even though we have spent the entire day together at school, the few hours spent apart feels like an eternity.<br /><br />My friends are my family. They know everything. Our connection is sacred. They have ventured beyond closed doors, the family dynamics, the problems, the parents who are madly in love, the parents who stay together for the kids and the parents who have reached the point of no return and split. <br /><br />There’s the sibling, the one in the family who struggles while the others thrive. Tragically, they serve as prey to the beast that is mental illness, addiction, the drink, the pill, the not being able to get out of bed. You care about that sibling as if they were your own. You can’t fully understand the battle they fight, not until you are older, not until you struggle and come to the realization that we are all broken.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip2yJuI1o9c/YSeSHqsTn-I/AAAAAAAADVY/eW_YI2Z6EQ0OlLbNfvfMBcjubP1HNXo9wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/group%2Ba.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />There’s the friend who has a car. Perhaps a gift from their parents. On the other end of the spectrum there’s the friend who has been working since they were 12, any job that pays, because their parents have engrained a work ethic in them.<br /><br />We have this thing, every spring, we drive to Plattsburgh for the day. It’s the 80s and that’s where you can buy Freihofer's cookies and Marlboro Reds. That’s where you eat American Flat Giant Slices of pizza in the food court while you flirt with the locals. <br /><br />Our group of friends consist of males and females who have all made out at some point, even if some of us are just into girls or just into guys, it’s all interchangeable, trial and error because we want to make sure we are sure, and we want to try everything.<br /><div><br /></div><div>There’s that one single parent who hangs out with you and your friends. They may be the first person to take you to buy booze or share a joint or drive you up to the country and let you have the run of the place. You find yourself confiding in them in a way you cannot with your parents. They listen when you speak, they don’t judge but gently they direct you along the right path. <br /><br />You sense sadness in them, that somewhere along the way they got lost and that makes you wonder what changed the course of their life? <br /><br />The years go on and eventually the pack separates. Friends leave to school, or their parents get transferred to another city, tragedy hits and some are gone for good; a reminder to live the life you want to live. You venture out and clear a path, a career, a GAP year, a partner, a house, a life abroad moving from place to place, freeing a spirit that cannot be caged. <br /><br />You meet others along the way, some become close friends, some acquaintances, some just convenient. There is nothing that compares with the love, loyalty and “I’ve got your back”, the gift of childhood friends – the roots beneath the ground, the trunk, the branches, and the leaves that fall but somehow always return. <br /><br />I’m 55, it’s a fall evening, I am walking my dog, there's the scent of everyone’s cooking, the lit kitchens, the families, and that solo person at the table – well it’s me. <br /><br />I’ve learned a few things like when to leave and when to stay. I’ve accepted the cards I’ve been dealt. I’ve watched love walk out the door only to have it march right back in again. I’ve experienced the loss of loved ones. I’ve stood by their bedside after they have gone to the other side and wondered, how is it possible I will never see them again? <br /><br />When I’m tired and spent, I close my eyes and envision myself hopping fences, one backyard to the next until I land in the one filled with my childhood friends. They are smiling and they are young, healthy, without a worry in the world. It’s where I want them to be because it’s a place of love and acceptance, a place where I can be ME. <br /><br /> “A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Walter Winchell<br /><p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdRg00U-JXC4OydnYPuhJYPRWQO9w168cwyZ_87jO35WOOtG9wp40Lt27gvdoJpXB5-vORBDxlRQ6NmeBUtpmO77diF8_jM1-qFjOsqLZJmxefhiQYmExWCxl76zjBLxjpT1KNhD6_hRo9n0qeOhO79iuNHdBUAl74GcYaREc45tpaPDTBJ5i_o1q_w4/s3264/1120D347-A765-440F-9125-299CC5F493DF.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdRg00U-JXC4OydnYPuhJYPRWQO9w168cwyZ_87jO35WOOtG9wp40Lt27gvdoJpXB5-vORBDxlRQ6NmeBUtpmO77diF8_jM1-qFjOsqLZJmxefhiQYmExWCxl76zjBLxjpT1KNhD6_hRo9n0qeOhO79iuNHdBUAl74GcYaREc45tpaPDTBJ5i_o1q_w4/s320/1120D347-A765-440F-9125-299CC5F493DF.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-49599894444200242652021-07-22T16:14:00.010-04:002023-07-27T15:55:32.172-04:00VISITING THE HOME OF A LOVED ONE AFTER THEY HAVE PASSED<p>Have you ever returned to the home of a loved one after they have passed? To the room they most enjoyed? The study, the kitchen, the bedroom, the garden?</p><p>When you return to the stillness, the silence, you find yourself looking for them. You search the place from bottom to top, hoping for another chance to see them, hear their voice, touch them, laugh with them.</p><p>There's a hat or jacket or blanket or pen or book or laptop that they last touched. </p><p>Their scent is still in the air.</p><p>Something left undone, lingers on a desk or kitchen table.</p><p>They are nowhere to be found, yet, still, you remain seated, as if waiting for a play or show to begin.</p><p>You ask yourself the same questions that have been asked for ages, for all of time, where has my friend/parent/lover gone? Will I ever see them again? Do they know I love them? What was the last thing I said to them? What was the last thing they said to me?</p><p>And it goes on and on.</p><p>There is something comforting about visiting a place that was sacred to a loved one. There is something in the air, you can't put your finger on it but if you listen carefully, you can hear them telling you "everything will be alright". You can feel their hand brush against your back. </p><p>There may be a painting, book, photo that has been placed somewhere they placed it, because it meant something to them, and they looked at it every day.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5nRth8f1OfvE-RCi6jy06Fxysz0ZP4iIPvomEG21_vfdlTcuag8r1fWEjESPFbWqscvoMWVh09_UjBCBEX6bOm4hwkfGE_a2trsylMTtfs9IKBMsu1OExRXrM9BD4c7VPK2VBCySkZZNW81kv1HW-yXDGEBcattumXbt2Z0qiaxbCF3hCIe5ZEzLS3g/s701/MARTIN%20TWO.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5nRth8f1OfvE-RCi6jy06Fxysz0ZP4iIPvomEG21_vfdlTcuag8r1fWEjESPFbWqscvoMWVh09_UjBCBEX6bOm4hwkfGE_a2trsylMTtfs9IKBMsu1OExRXrM9BD4c7VPK2VBCySkZZNW81kv1HW-yXDGEBcattumXbt2Z0qiaxbCF3hCIe5ZEzLS3g/w300-h400/MARTIN%20TWO.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>There's a blanket or a piece of clothing that you wrap around yourself and make it yours because it was theirs. </p><p>There's a meal you shared at the kitchen table, a bottle of wine, a deep conversation that went on from day to night. </p><p>There's everything, everywhere, exactly how they left it in its place.</p><p>And as you sit there, in their chair, in the silence, in the loss, in the despair, you become a searchlight, desperately trying to find them amongst the storm, the wind, the rain, the shadows that outpace you and the cold heart fact that you will never see them again.</p><p>No matter the first thing you ever said to them, no matter the last thing, what really matters is all that happened in-between.</p><p>So, return to that place where last they lived, I mean really lived, not a hospital bed, not the end of the end, but the good of the good, the place where the light shined in and you most want to remember them, in their garden, at their desk, at the kitchen table, planting, writing, cooking, singing, discovering every inch, every slice of the Journey that was their life.</p><p>And there it is, that place, that chair, that painting, that photo, that story left unwritten, and there it will always be.</p><p>In memory of my friend Martin Stone, a writer, a wanderer, and a ray of sunlight. </p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH2SNcu5ugpFloq1yi2lnFUBqMzCnNIso--gNbUudFJk2uzvyayFAUiuLewmw1-B03eE02P24rl73VwKSRTteS11TO4NUSkcYD7IqSWMDnCCbPIxH96Khgi5Mlte9cZMtUIbRQIFf_Tu3ANvfw8NO1DiemcNcR7Bmye0KViy3sQYZ1e4q4B9fEuYrzfY/s400/martin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBH2SNcu5ugpFloq1yi2lnFUBqMzCnNIso--gNbUudFJk2uzvyayFAUiuLewmw1-B03eE02P24rl73VwKSRTteS11TO4NUSkcYD7IqSWMDnCCbPIxH96Khgi5Mlte9cZMtUIbRQIFf_Tu3ANvfw8NO1DiemcNcR7Bmye0KViy3sQYZ1e4q4B9fEuYrzfY/w400-h300/martin.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> </span></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-62501928937086084302021-07-16T09:08:00.003-04:002023-07-26T11:57:36.029-04:00FOLLOW YOUR DOG<p><br /></p><p>(Laurentians 2010)</p><p>It's 1AM, I can't sleep and neither can my dog so I grab a headlight and we go out into the night.</p><p>He leads me along a wooded path covered in memories of paw prints and explorations with dogs of past and present. </p><p>We are surrounded by giant pines and we can hear the whisper of everything that is alive and dancing through the forest.</p><p>We find a spot unobstructed by trees where we can sit and take in the starry, country sky. </p><p>A deep, warm silhouette of colours and shapes waltz their way across the canvas and every now and then a star loses its grip and falls. </p><p>I feel a wave of emotion come over me. I wonder where stars learn to twinkle and why some fall while the others stay in place.</p><p>I hold my dog close and kiss his head. I hold him never wanting to let go because my love for him is so great and our time together so brief.</p><p>As we head back toward the house, he nudges my hand with his head, barks and gestures. Suddenly, we are startled by a strobe of light racing across the sky. It reaches out and carries us for a slice of a second.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xOcGa192iw/YPGDvEpkbqI/AAAAAAAADUk/k27NH9EUKsYid8Hh-WdrQot3Dz7xhkQoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s720/gain%2Bblue.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1xOcGa192iw/YPGDvEpkbqI/AAAAAAAADUk/k27NH9EUKsYid8Hh-WdrQot3Dz7xhkQoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/gain%2Bblue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"> </div><p></p><p><br /></p><p>Shades of blue and purple, pink and orange join hands like a rainbow after a storm. The entire sky calls to us with a silent, soothing calmness.</p><p>I feel the presence of my dogs - all my boys - their spirits still very much alive, radiating like stars flowing in Rainbow Heaven.</p><p>I reach out to hug them and there within the warmth of their souls, I drift like a leaf in the wind never wanting to land.</p><p>Sleep well my boys and when I look up at the sky - remember to twinkle so I know you are there.</p>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-58625299746173683012021-05-01T11:58:00.003-04:002021-11-16T15:14:57.513-05:00GROWING UP IN WENTWORTH PARK AND AT BLOSSOM POOL<p> </p><p></p>I remember the sound of the ball coming in contact with the bat. The wood bats had a hallow kind of smack, while the aluminum had a ping. <br /><br />I remember the lamplights turning on, slowly, hesitantly flickering before reaching their full strength, the moths dancing in the warm spotlight. <br /><br />I grew up in a small white house, along with my two brothers, on a one-way street called Wentworth. <br /><br />The park was our backyard. It’s where we learned how to play basketball, baseball, hockey and how to look out for one another. <br /><br />Our parents worked several jobs to make ends meet. We lived a simple yet fulfilled life. We were kids with 3 baseball diamonds, two basketball courts, a shack to play “wall ball” against, a jogging path behind Diamond 2, a playground beyond that, and our very first school, Wentworth School across the street, beside yet another landmark, Blossom Pool. <br /><br />We had a neighbour who talked to the bus drivers, whose rest stop was in front of our house. His name was John “Babe” Learie. He also talked to anyone and everyone getting off and, on the bus, entering or exiting Wentworth Park (and he kept the squirrels well fed). <br /><br />He had a unique way about him, including his many expressions such as “Is he doing his thing for Canadians?”, which he would ask when I was taking our dog, Casey for a pee. He also attested to the fact that “everything is better with coke” and he called me “Miss Moffatt”. He taught us all how to drive by the time we were 12 and he fixed our bikes, brought us to McDonald’s and always made us laugh. <br /><br />Our father, who had little down time (between being an accountant, a radio broadcaster, a sportswriter, a restaurant reviewer (he swore there were no calories in cheesecake), a stadium announcer, a community minded person – The Annual Sports Celebrity Breakfast to benefit the Cummings Centre), liked to sit on his lawn chair on our back balcony, reading the paper and shouting “Hey, how are you…. (name)”, he knew everyone’s name and basically captured their life stories within a short and unexpected interview. <br /><br />While other girls were trying on their mother’s make-up and playing with Barbie dolls, I was following my brothers and their friends around the park. I had a “good arm”, as my brothers would say and they often let me pitch around before a game. <br /><br />I learned to play basketball, skate, ride a bike, build a fort, and even had my first kiss in Wentworth Park (I’m not telling). <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pqZkPrwDtiE/YI12fhxI6DI/AAAAAAAADP8/MBhk4GLGDUsbm84HVusd6s0KHsOo8HuswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/dug%2Bout.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Diamond 2 Dugout<br /><br /><br />Eventually, we all worked for the city, as Park Attendants. Mike, my eldest brother was the first one in the position and then as he transitioned to a career in journalism (Sunday Express or The Monitor, or both, I think he was 17 – born journalist – in the blood), my middle brother Chuck took over. I was called in for switch shifts (day shift/night shift). <br /><br />It was a sweet gig. We used this wheel barrel contraption to create the baselines, we loaded the bases (literally), raked the sand and awaited the players. Once everyone was present, we were responsible for basic first aid and calling an ambulance in extreme cases. <br /><br />When I worked the night shift, I got to turn on the lamplights. There was this giant panel, with handle switches. I had to use both hands and all my strength to pull down each one. <br /><br />The best would be when Chuck would stick around and he would power on the lights, so I could be out there watching it all happen. It would be dark and then BOOM, lights from everywhere, players arriving, laughing, talking, so happy to be in the park, after a long day of work/school, whatever life they led. <br /><br />Girlfriends, wives, kids, parents, grandparents, everyone came to see the ballgames back then. The whole community gathered, talked, debated, and cheered on the players. We knew everyone and most of our friends had grown up on Blossom, Wentworth, Davies, Palmer, Smart and onward toward Wagar, where we attended high school. <br /><br />My father played in the Slow-pitch league, which meant, a softball was used instead of a fastball. It was also called Slow-pitch, because it was “slow”. My father played “catcher”, which may as well have been called, “talker”, because that is all he did. Although, it wasn’t all bad for his team because he did a good job of distracting the batter and even the umpire. <br /><br />All the teams were sponsored and the players wore these really, cool, retro jerseys. There was Guaranteed Industries, Mandy Designs, Mitchell Lincoln, Future Electronics, jump in if you know any of the others! <br /><br />Let’s talk about “Wall Ball”. Everyone thinks they invented the game but the truth is my brothers invented it, and so did the Marons, the Margoleses, the Gurmans, the Rosenbergs, the Nutcovitches, the Liquornicks, and all the families whose “batter up” graced those walls. <br /><br />Sadly, the shack is no longer there but when it was, we drew a square on one end of the wall, put someone up to bat, pitched the ball at the wall, as hard and fast as possible and then watched it fly over our heads toward Diamond 1 (or 2 or 3). The batter actually had nowhere to run, basically if they hit the ball and it wasn’t caught, they stayed up at bat. The thing was, that it was such a popular game, you had to get to that side of the shack wall first, in order to play. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gq-XNW2t0jw/YI13jr9HUsI/AAAAAAAADQQ/cAlKYCWL9iofQXs1JaK2CmyASa4AsIe4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0772.jpg" /></a><br /> Chuck and Me<br /><br /><br />Dogs were not allowed in the park, but Casey Cohen would have none of that! So, him and his brother, Chuck, decided to wonder into the park whenever they saw fit. One day, the CSL Patrol was out on a mission – to catch Chuck and Casey Cohen on the move. As the patrol car, entered the park, the emergency lights flashed and Chuck and Casey were caught “Yorkie Handed”, BUT the patrol person, had no idea, they were dealing with the Cohen family of Cohen-St.Luc and The Suburban Newspaper and Larry Fredericks and the small but mighty rock of the family – Elaine Cohen, who loved her Casey far more than…well all of us! <br /><br />Casey was brought to court. He was in big trouble, that is until our entire family showed up and the judge (Segal), took one look at our 9lb Yorkie and another at our Cohen St.Luc family and set Casey free – “Not Guilty and never to be bothered again.” <br /><br /> In the wintertime, the boards went up, the flooding/painting and freezing began and we started the outdoor hockey season. For me, that meant, my brothers dressing me in goalie equipment (far too large for me to walk or see or be found) and taking slapshots at the net. <br /><br />Other times, I followed them to a game and they told me to go figure skating instead. So, I met up with my #1 childhood friend/buddy – Karon Margolese of the Margolese family of Blossom Ave. <br /><br />We skated, talked, laughed and then went back to her house and ate all the “cheesies” while her amazing mom, Sandra, made us hot chocolate. <br /><br />In the Spring, the boards were taken down but there was a lapse between the time they were down and taken away by the city works. So, me and my brothers and our friends would drag a few over to the middle of the jogging track. There, the center of the ground gave into gravity and flooded like a river, from the runoff of the snow. We used the boards as “rafts” and the wooden sticks that held them in place as “paddles”. The water stank! It was filthy and we would throw each other overboard (freezing), get soaking wet and then run home to the great dismay of our mother. <br /><br />There were these mesh nets that were supposed to stop any foul balls from landing in our yard or smashing my bedroom window. The only problem was, they had holes and the balls knew about those holes. My bedroom window was smashed (and visited by a peeping Tom who stood on Chuck’s outdoor weight bench, used a stick to slide open my blinds after poking a hole in the screen – quite ingenious actually – never figured out who it was but they left behind a foot print – the police came by – could not identify the foot and I’m still looking for the culprit), our hibachi BBQ was smashed (which meant my father could no longer burn the steaks or burgers) but…WE GOT TO KEEP THE BALLS!!! <br /><br />The other summertime activity was going to Blossom Pool. Most of our friends were members there as well. We would spend an entire day, morning to night, swimming, playing champ, shuffleboard, volleyball and eating Squish Knishes (potato knishes, huge, hot, delicious, that were served on parchment paper and then we would either press down on it with our hands – standing – with all our might to see who could get their knish the most squished – even if it meant burning our hands – those really desperate to prove their point – sat on their knishes – I’m not giving any names) and never, ever, doing as instructed, when the announcement was made… <br /><br />“NO RUNNNING, NO JUMPING, IT IS NOW FREE SWIM!” <br /><br />And we hated hearing: <br /><br />“ALL CHILDREN PLEASE LEAVE THE POOL – IT IS NOW ADULT SWIM.” <br /><br />At which point, all of our parents would get in the pool, with their white zinc on their noses, and they would wade the water with their hands as if part of a synchro team, and just stand there in the water talking. I mean what was the point? It was the same thing they were doing on their lawn chairs and we could have been in there swimming and trying to push each other’s heads under the water. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UrerWXyfLjM/YI12q_9LB5I/AAAAAAAADQE/kSizNAZ5UxU6qAGe8x-citX3_3JEwezAACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pool.heic" /></a><br /> Blossom Pool - Mike, Chuck and Me (topless)<br /><br />Karen and I were not signed up for swim class. It was costly and our families were supporting 3 kids each respectively, so we just decided to show up for the first day of classes (with her cousin who was signed up) and take the classes anyway. The instructor did not take attendance or care who was in the group and we attended for 4 weeks!! That is how I learned to do the crawl and the butterfly and most importantly to tread. My parents often wondered, how I became such a good swimmer. <br /><br />There were nights when a bunch of us would hop the wooden maze of walls that contained the property, so we could go for a real “free swim”. We thought we were so cool, lounging in the shallow end, listening to music on the shortwave radio our grandfather gave us. That was just the kind of thing you did when you weren’t wealthy enough to be off at camp or have a family cottage. We found ways to entertain ourselves right through the summer. <br /><br />When I was in my 30s, in a long-term relationship that came customized with two amazing stepsons, I use to return to the park with them and our dog Buddy and we would play frisbee, wallball, do all the same things I did when I was their age. I got such a kick out of watching them make Wentwork park a part of their growing up experience. <br /><br />Later, my nephews would hit the field, play their first game of baseball or just pitch the ball around with their Dad and Grandfather. Those were sweet times. Everyone was still around and the family was growing. We all appreciated the simplicity of being outdoors together and playing sports in the park behind our house. <br /><br />Several years ago, I lost both my dogs within a month of one another. It was beyond painful. Buddy had grown old and suffered a stroke in the middle of the night and was gone by morning and Buster, heartbroken, and only 4 years old, got very sick and died of terminal cancer that had spread to all his organs. It was July, they were both with us, running in the woods in the country, it was August and Buddy was suddenly gone, it was September and Buster followed after him. <br /><br />I felt lost. I couldn’t find my grounding. So, I went to visit my parents on Wentworth. My mother was preparing dinner in the kitchen, the cool of fall had arrived and the park was empty. <br /><br />I hopped our backyard fence (that we had permanently damaged from lots of “hopping” over the years) and went to sit in the bleachers by Diamond 2. It was pitch dark, except for the lights coming from the back of the homes on Wentworth and Blossom. <br /><br />I closed my eyes and imagined being a little kid again, playing sports with my brothers and our friends, running wild, without a care in the world. I thought about how all of our lives had turned out, marriage, divorce, people coming, people going, things that were easy to understand and matters of the heart that were beyond understanding. <br /><br />I imagined the bleachers being full with everyone’s parents, siblings and others who came out to see us play, have a laugh, and join together as a community, a young vibrant one, such as CSL was back in the 70s/80s. <br /><br />I opened my eyes and I returned to the present. I was older, I had triumphed, I had failed, I had found what I thought was my place, my seat at the table. I missed the simplicity of growing up in Wentworth Park and at Blossom Pool. I wished I could still hear the ping of the ball making contact with the aluminum bat, the hollow smack of the ball making contact with the wood bat. <br /><br />I wished both my hands were pulling down those circuit handles and there would be a second of hesitation, then a flicker, then BOOM, the whole place would light up, and in the stillness, in that moment frozen in time, the moths would dance under the heat of the lamps, in the slices of rays, of a sweet time gone by.<br /><p></p>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-44329912088102909882021-04-18T16:32:00.004-04:002023-07-28T10:24:36.514-04:00EVERY PIECE OF EVERYTHING<p> I am walking along a path somewhere in the wilderness. I’m alone at first but then I feel someone’s presence, someone who vanished from my life.</p><p>I think about all the people I have met and loved, yet there was nothing as intense, as omni-powerful as the connection of which I speak.</p><p>Sometimes I wonder if some people are meant to only visit us once in our lives, because what they hold in their hands, their offering, is so sacred, so special that the moments of time, find it unbearable to hold onto them – to grasp them in their wholeness.</p><p>So, I am on this walk and I have that feeling in my gut and I come around a bend and there he is, that person who vanished from this earth we walk upon and for whom I have waited to pass to the other side, so he can visit me in my dreams.</p><p>But this is not a dream. This is not a hologram. This is not an illusion. This is him. This is what I have been waiting for, hoping for because I really never got to say a proper goodbye. I wasn’t there to kiss his forehead or wrap his hand in mine, our fingers entwined like when they grasp the wires of a fence that you have to climb.</p><p>He looks at me and smiles. He does not speak but his expression, gestures say, “I’ve missed you and although I can’t return often, or in any full form, I wanted to come back for a few moments and tell you that I loved you and that love I have carried with me wherever I have since gone.”</p><p>I want to tell him how I have struggled and how for me, nothing comes easy because I overthink, overdo and overexert. I want to tell him that the love and friendship and bond between us has never faded but it has also left me alone because nothing and no one can surpass that level of souls mating.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXpw5Kl1uRCnrmI3XZCQU9j-U51Gc-WrRQzC-ahHMzzA-YtFOaAPaycOnM7ORR_9JXJ9wgbRyfsCKI8l7-YIXiHHVnB7VT1NDavEZTEEiRLnSYytLpNDLp5i3AWsAT00fYLRSjwv8zLV1S5tfZl1LiayiAdHxShlpa8bfJVSTfUCwL4McIW2TIUjlyAo/s2309/34540811-5E6F-4AC7-BE7C-035F25DBBA51.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2309" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTXpw5Kl1uRCnrmI3XZCQU9j-U51Gc-WrRQzC-ahHMzzA-YtFOaAPaycOnM7ORR_9JXJ9wgbRyfsCKI8l7-YIXiHHVnB7VT1NDavEZTEEiRLnSYytLpNDLp5i3AWsAT00fYLRSjwv8zLV1S5tfZl1LiayiAdHxShlpa8bfJVSTfUCwL4McIW2TIUjlyAo/s320/34540811-5E6F-4AC7-BE7C-035F25DBBA51.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>The spark has returned to his eyes. I know that when someone goes, that spark goes out, the eyes are empty, the soul has taken off on a new, different journey to a place I have yet to go. I know that everyone and everything that I hold dear, will eventually lose that spark as well. But for now, he is standing in front of me and I move toward him with the great hope that I can feel him, hug him, kiss him and hold him close.</p><p>I walk slowly, as if the ground below me may crack at any moment and take him away from me again. I reach him and we join hands and I feel his warmth, I feel the connection I have missed so very much. </p><p>He gently places his arms around me and I feel his love, his entire being, melt into mine. He pulls away for a moment while looking deeply into my eyes. He smiles, he touches my cheek and then he kisses my lips. </p><p>I feel an aura coming on, it’s like a panic attack, it’s like the inevitable truth is grasping me by the arms and tearing me away from him.</p><p>He starts to fade and there isn’t anything I can do about it except tell him I love him, I miss him and I hope he will return to the other side, every now and then to remind me of what it feels like to be alive; of what it feels like to love someone like no other.</p><p>I want to walk in the direction from whence he came but I know that would lead me to nowhere, so I turn around and continue my journey through the wilderness. The sun sets and the colours appear in hues of orange and purple and the stars find their partners and dance with them upon the sky. They hold onto each other, shine and twinkle; a lighthouse for one another, so they can always find their way home.</p><p>Then, they start to fall, one at a time. They fall so quickly that the sky empties except for two stars that continue in a never-ending waltz. I know those stars are ours and together we will dance, we will join as one when we meet again, coming around the bend.</p><p>And when silently, blissfully I will whisper in your ear, “You are every piece of everything to me”.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p><br /></p>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-32343468904211233922021-01-01T13:39:00.003-05:002021-01-01T16:00:34.761-05:00THIS IS YOUR LIFE<div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whether you married, whether you divorced, moved to another city, adopted a dog, adopted a baby, had children of your own, never had a child, parted company with a childhood friend, bought a house, sold a house, lost everything, found it all over again, really loved someone, took that pill that made it all go away and then took it again, had a drink and had another, lied so many times you no longer know the truth, said things you knew you shouldn’t have said, kissed someone that wasn’t yours to kiss and then wanted so much more than that kiss, brushed against someone in the grocery store that you never knew and will never know but fantasized about them that very night, lost a parent – a sibling – a partner and were left with a space that will never be filled, hid in someone’s arms and melted away, left someone standing with their heart in their hands…</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Some things stand out. The love you have for those who surround and love you. The career you have chosen and the passion you have for everything outside of those work hours – the art, the literature, the cooking, the tasting, the wet kisses, the hug, the hold, the wasted time that you thought was endless that always ends, the things you still want to do, the places you still want to go, the news of a friend being sick, the thought of that being you, the smell of a new car, the renovations finally done, the hands you hold, the chances you take, the moments you breathe, the seconds you panic, the hours that go on forever, the hours you wish would last, the person you miss and what you would say to them if they returned for just 3 ½ minutes.</span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIFSd82BJms/X-9rTofFk0I/AAAAAAAADC0/r6omkhrocdEMO3y_9o_kPyKaFuFFscQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/s773/05A5ED8F-A17A-40FE-B8F4-51FD29A1B6C8_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="773" height="373" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yIFSd82BJms/X-9rTofFk0I/AAAAAAAADC0/r6omkhrocdEMO3y_9o_kPyKaFuFFscQtQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h373/05A5ED8F-A17A-40FE-B8F4-51FD29A1B6C8_1_201_a.jpeg" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">E</span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">very chance that passed you by, every spark of magic that ignited your senses, every second, every moment you would live differently or the same, every thought you’ve kept to yourself, every choice you’ve made even when there was no choice at all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">This thing, this life you live, this and that, here and there, how it travels, how it flows is through the love you have for others not the love you have for yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">It’s the last thought you have before falling asleep and the first thought you have when you awake.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span face=""trebuchet ms" , sans-serif">It’s the face of someone who has passed from this life that you see every time you close your eyes and it's the understanding that as your eyes open; you will never see them again.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Life is short.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Life is long<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Life is sweet<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">And then it’s gone.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: large;"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">WAKE UP - THIS IS YOUR LIFE</span></span><br /></div>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-59012819020939342592020-09-14T09:17:00.063-04:002023-07-27T15:52:43.383-04:00LISA AUDREY COHEN - WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY <p> </p><p><span lang="EN-US"> </span>We all have
events in our lives that imprint upon our memories. Some are happy, some are
sad. We all have regrets of what was and what could have been. We all experience and surrender to love whether it is a lifetime
commitment or a night of passion.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Our memories
are sparked by the scent of cooking, a song, a place we return to where we spent our childhood.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">While some
of us walk a straight line (the job, the career, the partner, the kids, the
house), others take detours. They travel the world, have various partners and live one day to the next.</span> The paths we take bring us to people and
places where we settle, build a foundation and a LIFE THAT BECOMES OUR STORY.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For over 20 years, I have been
ghostwriting for those who want to share their life story. Whether in their twilight years or their prime, they all possess A SLICE OF BRILLIANCE. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Their life experiences are fascinating and through an intense interviewing process that takes sometimes a year or more, I am able to SCULPT AND SHAPE THOSE MEMORIES INTO A PUBLISHED MEMOIR.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">MY CLIENTS BECOME LIVE BRANDS with their own website, blog, photoshoots, social media, book launch/signing and the comfort of knowing that their children will truly understand where they came from and the journey they have taken to get to the present.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">As your PERSONAL GHOSTWRITER AND BRAND MANAGER, I will walk side by side with you, step by step, word by word and we will venture to a place neither of us have ever been.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">What’s your
story?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:lifeisyourstory@gmail.com">lifeisyourstory@gmail.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0YJZdScfvs/X19r9cNYn8I/AAAAAAAAC8I/7MZLH3UJzjgHX1eP8-t1epCo5zMPjczrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s692/expos%2Bwhisk%2Bposter%2Bedge.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="692" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g0YJZdScfvs/X19r9cNYn8I/AAAAAAAAC8I/7MZLH3UJzjgHX1eP8-t1epCo5zMPjczrgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/expos%2Bwhisk%2Bposter%2Bedge.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><br /><p></p>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-54347786622641345892020-07-11T09:12:00.005-04:002023-07-28T10:23:23.345-04:00RUNNING WITH GHOSTS<br /><div><div>I went for a run. The rain was falling hard, the fog had set in. I came around a bend and a woman approached me. There was no one else in sight and she appeared as a silhouette carrying an air of grace. When she spoke I heard my Grandmother's voice and when I looked into her eyes, I saw a deep soulful speck of light from a moment in the past.</div><div><br /></div><div>My Grandmother had MS and was paralyzed from the neck down. She spent over 30 years in a hospital bed unable to move. In her 80's, she passed away from complications of pneumonia and I was thankful for that pneumonia because it had provided her with a long overdue end to the pain and suffering she had endured.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ran a few more blocks and then this strange spirit in the shape of a woman said, "I have to go now. I wish I could stay here with you." Then she vanished into the mist, into a place I've never been. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQWvVLvVqk0/Xwmz687YSPI/AAAAAAAAC34/k7bdSzxafHwdaaKXHeX2EpgSmCnMbJXgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1300/run%2Bghost.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="918" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yQWvVLvVqk0/Xwmz687YSPI/AAAAAAAAC34/k7bdSzxafHwdaaKXHeX2EpgSmCnMbJXgQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/run%2Bghost.jpeg" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by James Wheeler</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I hope that anyone reading this who is sick and suffering finds a memory, a really wonderful one and relishes in it long enough to escape their pain.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hope that if you've lost someone you loved, their spirit will return and appear suddenly, around a bend, looking for someone who runs with ghosts.</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8pNMNCB9IJ-ZByDtfx_EZ23fHn7IHDyKVgbsyG0Wy8KgLsh4sHbIWy6X3Qf-KacKSLiPGvZvpsKA09Wm_3uQVMvBlsWwMSY69TrbnciPMeghz_uNPEcPHlgC99pAjzd1E38PxEYZi7eriHs5QN2b2tD1sFsYwKs-cJeGtvkAm_odn8o6MvzBHkJ8iG4/s567/DCD2A59B-19C4-4BF1-B8E1-3E4EDE74AA1C_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8pNMNCB9IJ-ZByDtfx_EZ23fHn7IHDyKVgbsyG0Wy8KgLsh4sHbIWy6X3Qf-KacKSLiPGvZvpsKA09Wm_3uQVMvBlsWwMSY69TrbnciPMeghz_uNPEcPHlgC99pAjzd1E38PxEYZi7eriHs5QN2b2tD1sFsYwKs-cJeGtvkAm_odn8o6MvzBHkJ8iG4/s320/DCD2A59B-19C4-4BF1-B8E1-3E4EDE74AA1C_1_201_a.jpeg" width="253" /></a></div> </div><div><br /></div><div> My lovely, brave Grandmother Grace enjoying life before tragedy struck.</div></div><div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-11331374515245309482019-11-26T21:15:00.002-05:002021-11-16T15:16:08.119-05:00SURVIVOR AND WHY JEFF WON'T SEE ME IN MY UNDERWEAR<br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br />It’s Friday night and I am fully reclined on my Lazy Boy eating Miss Vickie’s Chips. I buy 3 different flavours and I mix them all into one bowl. I’ve substituted that for foreplay and so far it’s doing the trick. I’m watching Survivor (on demand) and the players are starving, sweating, dreaming of toilet paper, a burger, and fries. <br /><br />They are at one of those obstacle courses and Jeff is shouting the instructions. They don’t understand a single word, neither do I and I have shelter, air conditioning and a mouth full of chips. <br /><br />Now my Uber Eats has just arrived, I’m digging into my Cote St. Luc BBQ Chicken with those amazing fries (chips and fries = two sources of vitamin C in one night), there’s some gravy dipping going on and it’s the part of the show when those headless people demonstrate the obstacle course. Who are those people? How can I get that job? <br /><br />Also, why is everyone always wet and how do they suddenly have blazers and fedoras and hip clothing? Is there a retro shop on the island? Is it fair that Jeff smells like lavender fabric softener and does not have to strip down to his underwear? And let’s talk about underwear. Why on earth are people taking off their pants? What’s wrong with a good pair of shorts? <br /><br />My focus changes to “These chips are making me thirsty.” <br /><br />As I make the heroic effort to get up from the Lazy Boy, I drop the Cote St. Luc BBQ gravy on my lap. Now this is a problem. I have not finished eating the fries (thus not fulfilling my vitamin C for the day) so I can either go to the sink and do a spot clean or I can just leave it there. I vote for just leave it there (and so did you). <br /><br />It’s time for someone to go home (and for me to clean my sweatpants). It’s tribal council and everyone is confused, dizzy, dehydrated, starving, wet, cold, dirty and they are being asked to talk strategy, make a big decision. <br /><br />At this point, I’m exhausted and frankly, I want to be voted off so I can make my way, hand in hand with Jeff to the resort, a boat ride away, where we get into a hot tub, talk about his dimples and where he has hidden the 1 million dollars (clearly in the sand, not a bank). <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/#"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6pyqX1-uOA/YXQT_7k-NVI/AAAAAAAADYc/BQQOxALNI2o6fTS-pnEH_Cc__MhicJIJwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tribal%2Bmarch.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I want a room with a mini bar that contains $50 pistachio nuts. I want to sleep in a bed with a plush duvet and 20 pillows. I want to meet those headless people, apply for the job, and get refused because I’m tired, fed up and when I bend down, I say “Oye” (which means “Oye” in Yiddish).<br /><br /> <br /><br />I want a Pina Colada with an umbrella, the kind the bartender at Brickman’s Resort in the Catskills used to place in my father’s Strawberry Daquiri that my mother said he did not need, and he rebuked with “There are no calories in a Strawberry Daquiri”, a comment he also made about cheesecake. <br /><br />I want a Cronut (donut + croissant = delicious @ Atwater Market) and I want to know if Jeff has a brother. <br /><br />I want to know that once the tribe has spoken and it’s time for me to go, that I have searched for every clue, tackled every obstacle, lit a torch, watched a sunset, failed, triumphed, discovered all that life has to offer and that I have loved and been loved because that my friends, is the very essence of survival. <br /><br />Jeff – call me. <br /><br />
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: "chalkduster"; font-size: large;">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "chalkduster"; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-8050011238318688982019-11-15T21:29:00.001-05:002019-11-15T21:29:44.217-05:00IF PAD THAI FALLS ONTO YOUR SHIRT - DOES ANYBODY HEAR IT?<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I’m
lounging.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">It’s
7pm on a Friday night. The work week is done. I reward myself with Pad Thai (uh huh...from
the box).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I’m
in my regular dining spot; my Lazyboy (digestion position - midway back). I’m
watching TV while my dog watches me (he is familiar with my mediocre chopstick
skills).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I’m
thinking, “This Pad Thai is delicious. What a great start to yet another
exciting weekend” and then it happens:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following is in slow motion…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">noodles
covered in tiny pieces of peanuts on way to mouth – leap off the chopsticks onto<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shirt<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Everything
stops – my entire world – as I fathom what to do next.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I
could set my hand into “pickle claw” position and “pick” it from my shirt. I could remove the shirt altogether and change into another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Aaaaa....too much work - so I leave it on my shirt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I’m streaming “This is Us” so I know I am
going to start crying at any moment and if I put it on pause then I’ll have to
start crying all over again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;">Then
it occurs to me “This Pad Thai is making me thirsty.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">So I make my way to the kitchen to get an ice-cold beer. Of course once I get to the kitchen, I forget what I am doing there and my mind begins to wander (frequent occurrence)..."should I take the food off my shirt while I am near the sink or should I grab a beer and head back to "This is Us?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;">Yeah, I do the sensible thing and I return to "This is Us" (while ever so carefully balancing the giant peanut crumb on my shirt). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">I settle into <i>"this sure is going to be an exciting weekend"</i> position and e</span></span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;">veryone
on “This is Us” is crying. The father keeps changing age and eras - I don't know what is going on and I was only gone for 3 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;">Now I'm multi-tasking - crying, eating, drinking, carrying the crumb; when my mouth and the beer bottle miss their connection and the beer spills onto my lap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;">Here are my options (are you still reading this?):</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">A
– lean down low enough and just lick it off my sweatpants (yeah you’ve done it
too).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">B
– get up and go to the sink and wash it off<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">C
– aaaa…. Just leave it there<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I
go with C and continue my ritual.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">“This
is Us” is over and I’m ready to stream “Ray Donovan.” Now I think to myself –
would any of the Donovans get up to wipe beer off their sweat pants? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Absolutely
not - so I decide for the next hour I am going to actually be a Donovan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Yeah,
I’m covered in beer and peanuts and I’m chowing down and Ray is drinking and so
is his father and all of his brothers and absolutely everyone on the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The
excitement is building and it’s just a matter of seconds before Ray<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is either sexing it up or punching someone in
the face(or both).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I’m
getting into it. Ray has taken off his shirt <i>(the Lazyboy goes into “deep
dining position”) </i>and then whatever is left of the Pad Thai falls onto my shirt!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I
AM ALL “PAD THAIED OUT!” (</span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I MADE THAT EXPRESSION UP – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED</span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18.0pt;">And just then, a deep thought (rare) enters the inner chambers of my clearly, disturbed mind...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "american typewriter" , serif; font-size: 20.0pt;">“If Pad Thai falls onto your shirt – does anybody hear it?”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><i><b>To which my dog replies:</b></i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HERtEzuVDDY/Xc9dz7KtNmI/AAAAAAAACjE/UA2UGDMVMCcECwM_RFpQPbsEiq7n7mZJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Wh%2Bclose%2Bup-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="625" data-original-width="593" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HERtEzuVDDY/Xc9dz7KtNmI/AAAAAAAACjE/UA2UGDMVMCcECwM_RFpQPbsEiq7n7mZJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Wh%2Bclose%2Bup-2.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 24px;">"I DO AND IF YOU SWITCH TO <i>ANIMAL PLANET</i>, I WON'T TELL ANYONE YOU WERE LICKING YOUR CLOTHES."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><span style="font-size: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><o:p><i>More deep thoughts from Life is Your Story </i></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.lifeisyourstory.com/2017/06/19-things-i-am-going-to-do-when-im.html">http://www.lifeisyourstory.com/2017/06/19-things-i-am-going-to-do-when-im.html</a></div>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:DengXian;
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-alt:等线;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Bradley Hand";
panose-1:0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147483393 1342185546 0 0 273 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"American Typewriter";
panose-1:2 9 6 4 2 0 4 2 3 4;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612625 25 0 0 273 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@DengXian";
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-78994946519854900282018-12-15T11:45:00.002-05:002018-12-21T11:12:14.033-05:00I'M FEELING 50 - ARE YOU?<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm feeling 50 - I mean I am feeling it everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm tired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm squinting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I say "oye" all the time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"Oye!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I'm trying to remember what foreplay is but all I can think of it as eating a bag of Miss Vickie's Salt Vinegar chips before watching Shark Tank (which I watch and shout out "I had that idea - I had that idea - damn!")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I've lost my taste for food that has any taste because gas is a stark reality of feeling 50 so best to avoid it (the gas). I eat mostly bread and toast (which is bread toasted) and I usually find the time to fit in some danish or other bakery type product (which is delicious).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I use to work out every day - I mean intense works outs. Now I get on the elliptical and my knee says "Oh don't do it - don't do it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And what on earth is happening to my neck? There are lines and creases and the skin is like butter - you hear me? Like butter!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I would cover it all up with a bandanna but then I would start looking like Willy Nelson and that would be unfair to Willy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sneezing or laughing has become the prequel to an unwanted sequel. So I have been doing my kegel exercises which aren't that bad because you don't have to go to gym to work out that muscle. You can do your kegels while talking to someone, while reading and while...never mind.</span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I need to get away from it all. I want that job on Survivor - you know when there is a challenge and Jeff is explaining to the hot, sweaty, starving, exhausted players how to do the challenge - hold this ball in your hand, jump over that boulder, grab a bean sack, throw it at ... (the players are like "Are you kidding? Feed me - get me a shower and toilet paper and a toilet.")</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> I don't even understand the instructions and I'm sitting on my Lazyboy (you bet - all the way back) eating nachos.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Yeah so I want to apply to be one of the people that is filmed showing how to complete the challenge. I'm perfect for the job (not at all - I can't crawl, climb, jump or solve a puzzle) and I get to stay at the hotel and have a drink with an umbrella in it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgVZf1JS3-A/XBUpowOdj2I/AAAAAAAACZk/K_2hpTw2uZcq13jsUaDn2wS1sBBmvruBwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2018-06-15%2Bat%2B6.00%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NgVZf1JS3-A/XBUpowOdj2I/AAAAAAAACZk/K_2hpTw2uZcq13jsUaDn2wS1sBBmvruBwCEwYBhgL/s400/Photo%2Bon%2B2018-06-15%2Bat%2B6.00%2BPM.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> Save a Dog and a Dog will save You</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I also have no patience for absolutely anyone or anything. I am fed up and I'm tired and I'm not interested in what anyone thinks - </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>don't leave your carriage in the middle of the grocery store aisle - don't cut me off on the road so you can race to the next red light where I will give you a very dirty look - don't fart in the gym (cause at first we are not sure if it is a fart so we give it another whiff and that leads to great dismay and possibly the end of the workout).</b></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I liked my 30s the best. So much happens in your 30s. If you are fortunate you find a life partner or an awesome lover. You may purchase your first house and have children of your own or become a step parent (which by the way is just as meaningful and there is no "step" if you do it right).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You hope for your parents to remain healthy and happy and to be there for all the special moments. Your career is making strides. You feel like you have time - time to enjoy, to love, to think and to be with those who mean the most to you in this life.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">By the time we reach our 50s everything has been laid out on the table - the good - the bad. Chances are you have experienced great losses in family members, in life partners who did not turn out to be for life, dogs and cats who stole your heart and left you way too soon and you may have transitioned into a second career you never saw coming.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's a time to gather the remnants of our lives thus far and to focus on the happy moments while dusting ourselves off from the painful ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You start to accept wherever you have landed. You miss those who have departed. You want the best for your children. You realize how important health is and how quickly that can change. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">You open the door to those who love and respect you and are there for you through thick and thin and you close the door to the ones who left you behind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">That's feeling 50.</span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-57256413116738048882018-12-01T17:43:00.001-05:002018-12-02T11:43:52.185-05:00A FRIEND FOR LIFE<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-CA</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="375">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:DengXian;
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-alt:等线;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:swiss;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073732485 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Bradley Hand";
panose-1:0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:77;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147483393 1342185546 0 0 273 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@DengXian";
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There’s
that special friend and that sacred place -<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a park, a cottage, a lake, a summer camp –
where you grew up, experimented, built your foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">You
spoke of the life that you would make for yourself – the partner – the co-pilot
– the kids – the career – the house – the travels – the stuff that makes you
feel alive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">When
things weren’t going well behind closed doors – the family – the parents – the
sibling – the knocking around – you met in this place and that friend took you home until things were better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">And
as the years went on and you met the partner, built the career, had the kids, the step kids, the dog, the cat, the house, the debt, the change in the partner that wasn’t
really change at all – the one kid out of the 2 or 3 that struggled, that searched
without finding, the hugs, the sighs, the “everything will be okay” even when
you didn’t think everything would be okay. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The
mid-life crisis – the change in career – the affair or thought of the affair –
the question “how did I get here?” – the answer – "it’s all laid out – except
for the morsel, the crumb you get to place on the table."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Through it all, your friend - understands,
commiserates, lives and breathes in what has become your reality. They delve into the pocket of your pain providing comfort and support when most needed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1IJXws_JB0/XALjV6iAdRI/AAAAAAAACYw/Qibam4j_pSsdGZ-7bdHRViW0ymB3XGR3QCLcBGAs/s1600/francesco%2BUngaro%2Bwine%2Bfield.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1IJXws_JB0/XALjV6iAdRI/AAAAAAAACYw/Qibam4j_pSsdGZ-7bdHRViW0ymB3XGR3QCLcBGAs/s320/francesco%2BUngaro%2Bwine%2Bfield.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand";"><o:p><span style="font-size: 20pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">PHOTO: FRANCESO UNGARO</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Life
moves on – quickly – slowly – eventually – and one day your friend gets the
news none of us want to get and you hold onto one another like an anchor to a
huge, mighty boat – but you can’t beat the beast that is cancer or heart disease or some other terrible, undignified atrocity.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; font-family: times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20pt;">Your goodbye is sweet, sorrowful and your friend is at peace.</span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20pt;">Your heart takes a deep
dive into utter darkness.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">But
you try to remember what your friend said before they left this world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“I
hope I get to watch over my family. I want to see my kids get married and my
grandchildren. I want to see my partner meet someone new who makes them happy
and whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">I
want to see you thrive even if your life has a slight dent, even if you doubt
it will get better. I want to be there for you as you have always been there
for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Time passes - Time heals. On a sleepy Sunday you find yourself in that place –
that park – that bench in the field beneath the trees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">The sun begins to set and you feel a presence upon you. A silhouette draws closer - it's</span><span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20pt;"> your friend. Their eyes sparkle and their smile glistens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7857GuFYQ/XAQLJxUlgsI/AAAAAAAACY8/EIX38q8KmmU0veudcwZl3ZF9EQFBbaRIACLcBGAs/s1600/arto-marttinen-145984-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-7857GuFYQ/XAQLJxUlgsI/AAAAAAAACY8/EIX38q8KmmU0veudcwZl3ZF9EQFBbaRIACLcBGAs/s320/arto-marttinen-145984-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Photo by Arto Marttinen</span><br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">There’s
a whisper – a hint of a floating thought that your friend shares with you:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">“I
discovered something. There is no beginning. There is no end. There’s just the
in-between. It’s where we are supposed to be and it’s spectacular.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">Then they vanish into the fog, into the sky, into some place you’ve
never been.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">You walk away from that sacred place and begin your search for the in-between without realizing you are already there.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "bradley hand"; font-size: 20.0pt;">R.I.P.
to those we loved and lost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-33974670922051435072018-05-10T15:32:00.004-04:002021-09-18T13:05:03.667-04:00TOP 9 THINGS GOING DOWN WHEN I BECOME THE BACHERLORETTE<br />
<br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Okay I get that the Bachelorette is all about young women who are in search of a husband - a wedding dress, starting a family and lots of french kissing but what about us middle aged single ladies?</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Here are the top 9 ways (and they are fascinating) that this middle aged, fed up, tired, bloated, tell it like it is Bachelorette would do stuff:</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">9 - the moment the cameras start to roll and those bright lights hit me - I am going to do one thing and one thing only - have a hot flash (and say "Oye I'm having a hot flash").</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">8 - opening scene - forget the arrival by limo and i don't need 50 men - 9 for the picking will do - arrive walking your dog and when you first lay your eyes upon my mystical beauty ask "Who are you wearing?" and I will reply "Levis by Levi Strauss".</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">7 - settle into the mansion - and if this whole greeting process goes past 930PM then I am going to bed because I'm fed up, tired and bloated and they better have Netflix. </span><br />
<br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">6 - let's just agree that we are all going to be running to the toilet at the same time - the producers are going to force us to feed each other street food in the warmest, stickiest climates. Yes there will be garlic, onions and some kind of cumin and then we will be expected to make out.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">5 - all of the men will also be 50 + which means we are all going to have to skip the hot tub because UTIs are a stark reality of middle age.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P22zyVMhfYE/WvTPu-oK_3I/AAAAAAAACT4/BkJqamEE_UMmyhJ5EG3WfFQNAR-LQNccwCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2018-05-10%2Bat%2B7.01%2BPM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P22zyVMhfYE/WvTPu-oK_3I/AAAAAAAACT4/BkJqamEE_UMmyhJ5EG3WfFQNAR-LQNccwCLcBGAs/s320/Photo%2Bon%2B2018-05-10%2Bat%2B7.01%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> Must love dogs</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">4 - hometown visits - i have to meet your family because the producers insist upon it but you best not have a nasty sister who has blow dried her hair with a front flip and wants to close talk me one on one in her childhood bedroom and also happens to have halitosis. If this should occur I am exited stage right or left, or both.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">3 - Montreal is my hometown so you are assured of great food, great night life and my mother will be very hospitable - she will feed you - ask all about your life in a non invasive manner and then when you leave she will say one of two things:</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"He is never going to amount to anything."</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">or</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">"He's a keeper."</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">And although I will deny it - she will be right on the mark.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">2 - forget the rose ceremony - if you are chosen to stay you get a shot of vodka and if you are chosen to leave - you get a shot of vodka and so do I because rejection sucks whether you are on the giving or receiving end.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">1 - and the #1 thing (are you still reading this?) that is going to go down when I am the Bachelorette - I am going to meet someone who I have known all my life but have never actually met up until that moment - a thoughtful, funny, warm individual who will look me in the eye (s) and say "I've been waiting for you - what took so long?"</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9atBExhbvuI/WvTN5dOZZDI/AAAAAAAACTs/dMs1aAnHYCAfGZj96wrt-AyLiLrCBFDAwCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_1dc.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="591" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9atBExhbvuI/WvTN5dOZZDI/AAAAAAAACTs/dMs1aAnHYCAfGZj96wrt-AyLiLrCBFDAwCLcBGAs/s320/fullsizeoutput_1dc.jpeg" width="262" /></a></div>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;">Sorry Mom - it's Levis Red Tab for me - all out of dresses.</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;">Now will someone get me a mint?</span><br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-18477823599503328592018-03-18T12:03:00.001-04:002018-03-18T12:07:50.564-04:00LOVE WALKS OUT THE DOOR<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I’ve watched love walk
out the door<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And watched it march
right back in again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I’ve mourned the loss
of love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Wondering where things
went wrong<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Knowing when things
stopped being right<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sometimes I imagine
there is someone on their way to me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They missed their flight
or they are sitting on a bench in the pouring rain waiting for a bus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They are somewhere in
the stillness, in the in-between, the this and that, the here and there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sometimes you are with
someone <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They share your home<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They share your bed<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">They play an integral
role in your life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But you feel
completely alone<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">You wonder how much
longer you can stay<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And what would happen
if you left<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Alone in love or no
love at all<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRDd9INbKXI/Wq6NBdSnP4I/AAAAAAAACQQ/0c6QlWj_D8Yu7VCJRRHQepHVOl2h0i_egCLcBGAs/s1600/luis-alfonso-orellana-246919-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jRDd9INbKXI/Wq6NBdSnP4I/AAAAAAAACQQ/0c6QlWj_D8Yu7VCJRRHQepHVOl2h0i_egCLcBGAs/s320/luis-alfonso-orellana-246919-unsplash.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo by Luis Alfonso Orellana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">If you’ve been in love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">You know that sweet
spot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">When everything is off
the charts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Intertwined with a
lover<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Kissing in the dark<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Your soul in the light<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Feasting on one
another<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Leaving nothing on the
plate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Still hungry for more<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">There’s all kinds of
love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">We all love – love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Whether we have it or
it slips through our fingers<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">We await its return<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The sound of keys in
the door<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And a voice you would
know anywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Everything comes
around again<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Even love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Sometimes it takes a
detour <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Or misses the exit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">But its on its way<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Keep the door open<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Keep the kettle warm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because even if love walks out the door</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It eventually marches right back in again</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-56077206906683328532018-02-10T11:58:00.002-05:002018-02-11T09:58:16.835-05:00THIS LOVE IS OUR LOVE<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Come here <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let me hold you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let me tell you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">How much<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I love you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">How easy it is<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">To be with you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s HIDE <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">BENEATH THE COVERS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s take Mondays<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Off the calendar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMk6f0yV4WA/Wn8jrl5jezI/AAAAAAAACNA/WVydVJ8iPP8s-_W_EiIvKVOyxPhf0ucjQCLcBGAs/s1600/feet%2Bfarm.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="627" data-original-width="940" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dMk6f0yV4WA/Wn8jrl5jezI/AAAAAAAACNA/WVydVJ8iPP8s-_W_EiIvKVOyxPhf0ucjQCLcBGAs/s320/feet%2Bfarm.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s kiss and hug<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s laugh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">LET’S TALK IT OUT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">AND MAKE A PACT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">NEVER TO GIVE UP<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">NEVER TO LEAVE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">LET’S RESPECT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">ONE ANOTHER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">BE PRESENT<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">BE LOVERS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">BE FRIENDS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">LOVE COMES <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">IN MANY FORMS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">OURS HAS A SHAPE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">OF ITS OWN<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Like A snowflake<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Dancing WITH the wind<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Like a winding path<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Full of detours<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">And fallen trees<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">THAT WE NAVIGATE<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Hand in hand<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Me beside you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">You beside me<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">In love<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">In silence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "copperplate light"; font-size: 18.0pt;">In time<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1107305727 0 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:DengXian;
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Copperplate Light";
panose-1:2 0 6 4 3 0 0 2 0 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147483545 0 0 0 273 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">For all of those who have found love and to the brave souls who are willing to try and find it again.</span></b></i></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-28792265850891185212018-01-27T10:15:00.008-05:002023-12-31T12:12:55.462-05:00BE THE RIVER <br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's 2AM. My mind is in a spin. Thoughts are racing so fast that I can't catch them.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It's 3AM. I've left the house the way you leave when you don't know where you or going or why - just that you had to get up and go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am driving down a country road. It's a crisp, chilly evening that smells like winter.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My mood is jagged and sharp. I taste blood in my mouth from an apparent injury I do not remember. The red juice is dripping from the corner of my lips. I find a napkin in the cup holder and I place it over the wound. It's as if I have been kidnapped and gagged and in a way I have.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I pull into an empty lot by a long abandoned sawmill. I turn the engine off and I step outside. I immediately feel the deep freeze run through my bones. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Clouds of smoke exit my mouth the moment my breath makes contact with the air. </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I walk toward a bridge and stand upon it looking down at the rushing river.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rivers are mighty. They control the balance between life and death. You have to respect a river.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFk8LTxazrcz_G-fTi994ez8UGbngles5R-El0S6cCnjzxMeKtWEKr8KuGJECB7DRZhkIpgrVlMl3RzvqQiKmUekWDmCJsDgKCUem47PyR67VWthgDeftNRsAKMue05x0a5zSVYQUypYIF-qiu-2szXESiDX_JplNlupm0C1ApEfdzHrDyTd1tZm5OyW8/s1600/winter%20night%20river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFk8LTxazrcz_G-fTi994ez8UGbngles5R-El0S6cCnjzxMeKtWEKr8KuGJECB7DRZhkIpgrVlMl3RzvqQiKmUekWDmCJsDgKCUem47PyR67VWthgDeftNRsAKMue05x0a5zSVYQUypYIF-qiu-2szXESiDX_JplNlupm0C1ApEfdzHrDyTd1tZm5OyW8/s320/winter%20night%20river.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I am transfixed - a witness to its teeth and claws tearing through everything in its way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I can't feel my hands or feet. The wind is blowing through my every pore and my bones feel like they may crack and land in a pile by my feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Still, I am captivated by the dark rage of the river and so I stay for what seems to be forever. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I feel the presence of another living being. </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I turn around and a black wolf with yellow eyes is staring me down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He watches me. He is is so incredibly beautiful. He stands his ground observing my body shake. He is trying to tell me something but I can't make it out.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I know not to run and that suits me fine, because whatever force has brought me here on this night, to this river, to this wolf; entices me with its inherent danger.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">As I fathom my next move, the wolf vanishes as if he was never there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">My gut tells me it's time to leave - there is a debate - a standstill, and then my mind finally agrees. That night the wolf comes to me in a dream.</span><br />
<br /><div><i style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">He whispers:</i></div><div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>"Be the River."</i></span><div><span style="font-family: georgia, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><i>"Eventually all things merge into one and a river runs through it. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words and some of the words are theirs. I am haunted by waters."</i></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Norman Maclean - A River Runs Through It</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div></div>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-36035131471966702222017-11-19T10:57:00.002-05:002021-10-05T09:46:51.563-04:00STAYING TOGETHER FOR THE LONG RUN<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "iowan old style roman"; font-size: 14pt;">WHEN YOU COME HOME AT THE END OF THE DAY – YOUR HEAD
SPINNING IN A CLOUD OF FEATHERS AND DUST – I WILL BE HERE FOR YOU – WE WILL HUG
– WE WILL HAVE DINNER THE WAY WE USE TO HAVE DINNER – TAKING OUR TIME – MELTING INTO ONE ANOTHER – EATING AND TALKING ABOUT THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE’LL</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">KISS</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">–</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WAY</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">USE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TO</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">KISS</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">–</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OUR</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TONGUES</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DANCING</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">–</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WILL</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">EXPLORE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ONE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">ANOTHER</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">SO</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">CAN</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">GET</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">BACK</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TO</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WHERE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WERE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">–</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OUR</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">HANDS</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TRAVELING</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">LINES</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THAT</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TRACE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">MAP</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OF</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">OUR</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> LOVE JOURNEY</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt;"> -</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">WE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> WILL </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THRIVE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">TOGETHER</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">IN</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">THE</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">DARKNESS</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> THAT IS OUR LIGHT</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "geeza pro"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-family: "Al Bayan Plain";">WE CAN FIND OUR WAY BACK TO ALL OF
THIS – TO ALL OF US – I KNOW WE LOVE EACH OTHER – I KNOW SOMETIMES WE CAN’T
STAND EACH OTHER – I KNOW THAT’S OKAY AS LONG THE “LOVING EACH OTHER” OUTWEIGHS
THE REST <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVEHAyaJFzY/Wgh8Df4htmI/AAAAAAAACH4/2KjG4zr7OGcigriv2MAQivrEsxPfpKjzACLcBGAs/s1600/lake%2Bsunrise.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="527" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NVEHAyaJFzY/Wgh8Df4htmI/AAAAAAAACH4/2KjG4zr7OGcigriv2MAQivrEsxPfpKjzACLcBGAs/s320/lake%2Bsunrise.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "big caslon medium"; font-size: 18pt;">NOW COME HERE MY LOVE – HOLD ME – KISS ME – SLIP BENEATH THE SHEETS WITH ME - FEEL ME - TASTE ME TASTING YOU <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">I WILL BE THERE AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY END <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">YOU’LL BE CARRYING A COAT FOR ME IN CASE I GET COLD<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">FOR BETTER FOR WORSE</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "century gothic"; font-size: 14pt;">IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"> LIKE A SNOWFLAKE IN THE WIND</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: century gothic;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: century gothic;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "century gothic";"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "chalkboard se"; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
<o:PixelsPerInch>96</o:PixelsPerInch>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>ZH-CN</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>AR-SA</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:ApplyBreakingRules/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="382">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Level 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Arial;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536859905 -1073711037 9 0 511 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:1;
mso-generic-font-family:roman;
mso-font-format:other;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:DengXian;
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;
mso-font-charset:134;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612033 953122042 22 0 262159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-536870145 1073786111 1 0 415 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Iowan Old Style Roman";
panose-1:2 4 6 2 4 5 6 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-1610612497 1073750219 0 0 147 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Geeza Pro";
panose-1:2 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:178;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147475455 -2147483648 8 0 65 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Al Bayan Plain";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:178;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:8193 0 8 0 64 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Arial Hebrew";
panose-1:0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:177;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147481533 1073750018 0 0 33 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Big Caslon Medium";
panose-1:2 0 6 3 9 0 0 2 0 3;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147483549 0 0 0 507 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:647 0 0 0 159 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Chalkboard SE";
panose-1:3 5 6 2 4 2 2 2 2 5;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:-2147483613 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-unhide:no;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
mso-default-props:yes;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:DengXian;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:Arial;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page WordSection1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-12123867847296917982017-11-11T10:28:00.000-05:002019-01-30T11:08:31.213-05:00WHEN A LOVED ONE SUFFERS FROM MENTAL ILLNESS <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There are far too many people suffering in silence from the beast that is mental illness. They remain behind closed doors that should be open. They are imprisoned in their own minds. Their loved ones worry about them and often feel helpless because there is so much they are trying to understand that can't be understood; unless experiencing it oneself. </i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jV8rGon8w80/WgIjCgalzkI/AAAAAAAACHo/PaJqduQDy58HLbmFgkEolzubEWqzMxOVgCLcBGAs/s1600/orange%2Bmountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="529" height="211" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jV8rGon8w80/WgIjCgalzkI/AAAAAAAACHo/PaJqduQDy58HLbmFgkEolzubEWqzMxOVgCLcBGAs/s320/orange%2Bmountain.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>We all experience crisis in our lifetimes. Some of us fall and get back up while those with mental illness often struggle and are unable to find their grounding. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This post is a shout out for love, understanding and support.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is about erasing the stigma that brings shame and secrecy to an illness that is misunderstood and under funded. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Those suffering can only rise to their feet if those surrounding them are willing to join them hand in hand and take a step forward - far too many steps have been taken backward.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">----------------------------------------------</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What happens when the ground you stand upon falls out from underneath you? Is an ambulance sent to the scene? Is there a trauma team on call waiting for you in an operating room? Are your loved ones contacted and gathered together? Are you able to express what is happening and why? Is there news coverage of your story at 6pm? Does the whole world stop and pray for you? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">NO</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">What does happen in no particular order is you slowly but surely lose your mind, your perspective, your understanding of the world around you. You are not able to express or communicate to anyone exactly what has taken place. You want to find a dark corner in a deep cave to crawl into and wrap your arms around yourself while you shiver and shake. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The side effects from the meds cause you to gain weight, walk around stoned half the day, forget simple things like your phone number, the street you live on, the name of your dog. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Then there is the anxiety that often displays itself in convulsions that rock your mind; shaking, twisting every muscle in your body. You become afraid of leaving your home, of being in noisy places - you take cover and isolate in order to self-preserve.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is an aura you feel before a panic attack and those attacks are crippling. The ground shakes and falls apart. It's a feeling that something awful is going to happen and there isn't a thing you can do about it. No one - not your friends, family can prevent this from happening or catch you as you fall through the deep crevice.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Once you fall - there is nowhere to go. You are stuck; the teeth are clenching your soul, your being. There is no going up, no going down, no going anywhere. There are no search and rescue teams shouting at you from the top, there are no heroes rappelling their way down. There is no light only dark and it's uncomfortably cold.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">You know you cannot survive this predicament for long. You try to think of ways to save yourself but your mind is in fragments of colours like a Picasso painting and you can't make sense of what is left of you on the canvass.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">You're sweating and turning in every direction but there is no way out of the maze. Your loved ones search for you frantically and as a last ditch effort they scrape a message across the sky:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"We love you - we will never give up on you so please don't give up on yourself."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>You sway back and forth in the stillness, in the fog; in a place you've returned to with each haunting episode.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Somehow you find the strength to take one great leap forward and you exit the maze.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There just past the finish line, your loved ones</i></span><i style="font-size: x-large;"> wait for you - their hearts splashing in puddles of love, support and compassion.</i><br />
<br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;">You fall into their open arms and they close around you. </i><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">They hope that one day you will be able to stop running from the illness that continues to chase you.</i><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">Mental illness is a mighty storm, it blows your life apart along with all of those around you.</i><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-size: x-large;">It strikes like lightning and is always followed by thunder. </i><br />
<br />
<b>Share this post - for awareness - for support - for change. Thanks.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960">www.lifeisyourstory.com</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960">https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960">https://www.nami.org/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960">https://amiquebec.org/</a><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_969463960"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/">http://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-86442932687432391502017-11-04T12:30:00.002-04:002021-11-23T09:44:36.103-05:00I MET AND MARRIED A MAN IN A BEER FRIDGE - JUST DON'T TELL MY MOTHER<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">This is a true story and it is fascinating. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I went to the grocery store. I was in the mood for some Beck's non alcoholic beer (is there any other kind?). I am always hesitant to walk into that "walk- in" beer fridge. I wonder who else is in that fridge?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> So I go in and it’s cold because it’s a fridge. I make my way around the maze of crates and boxes and then I smell cologne and I don’t wear cologne so I know its not me. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Then this large man (anyone is large compared to me) comes around the bend and smiles and says, </span><span style="font-family: georgia, "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">“What are you looking for little lady?”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">and I say...</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“It’s a beer fridge – I’m looking for beer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">He smiles, pats me on the back – which is strange because we are face to face.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">I find my Beck’s beer, smile on the inside and then I turn </span>around and the cologne guy is right up in my face. I am suddenly afraid and then to make things worse (worse than being alone in a giant cold fridge with a stranger who is close talking me),</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGgSqg12ONI/Wf3j_VMK5iI/AAAAAAAACHA/DLpLJoT72BknjbooJGnz6OrvpO4swWIeQCLcBGAs/s1600/1391771_601091246603452_1488764239_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="439" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wGgSqg12ONI/Wf3j_VMK5iI/AAAAAAAACHA/DLpLJoT72BknjbooJGnz6OrvpO4swWIeQCLcBGAs/s320/1391771_601091246603452_1488764239_n.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">he puts his arm around me and walks me out of the fridge sort of like we are going down the aisle except my family is not in the front row and there is no little kid throwing flowers at people with flower allergies and there is no song playing “our song” that we would be dancing to while all of our friends and family watch on and wonder “When are they going to stop dancing and serve us some food?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">His family (whom I have never met because they were not in the beer fridge) are however sitting in the front row but they are speaking a language not familiar to me so I asked Siri to translate but she just replies, "It's not a good idea to marry someone you met in a beer fridge.</span><br />
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">Then my new beer fridge husband and I exit and go our separate ways.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">I am completely confused as I head to the cash to check out (not because of what just happened but because I perpetually confused).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US">I pay, I leave, I return home, </span>I get cozy on the couch and turn on Netflix. My dog is sniffing me extra intensely and I realize he smells the beer fridge man's cologne, which he considers cheating so he farts and leaves the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span face=""helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="font-size: large;">I wonder “Will I ever return to that grocery store beer fridge?” and if so “Will he be there waiting for me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RskZg_OByzM/Uqt_E30DuSI/AAAAAAAABGw/rV2jyECBato/s1600/becks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RskZg_OByzM/Uqt_E30DuSI/AAAAAAAABGw/rV2jyECBato/s1600/becks.jpg" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And as I reflect on that deep thought, I realize that this whole beer fridge experience has been way too overwhelming.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">So I pour myself a Beck's and feel that buzz that I can’t feel (because there is no alcohol) but that I pretend to feel so I can float off into oblivion and decide on a wedding song to dance to with my new fridge husband.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">And there sits my mother in the first row (wondering- "Where did I go wrong with this one?").</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">She shakes her head, waves her finger and says:</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m not paying for this wedding."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span>Cheers and please don't drink and drive - unless you are drinking Beck's 0%</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<br /></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-79038796605837218632017-10-28T10:33:00.000-04:002017-10-28T10:33:49.399-04:00OUR PARENTS LEAD US WITH LOVE AND WE FOLLOW<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Of all the things we experience in our lifetimes - love is undeniably the most significant.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love gives and receives. It makes us feel alive even when we are near death.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's the one thing we can take with us because in the end; love departs hand in hand with our souls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we are in crisis, the first thing we reach for is love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It provides an escape from our worries and obsessions as it wraps its arms around us and whispers "You are not alone - I will always walk beside you."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love knows us better than we know ourselves.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Love leads us to where we are supposed to be on the purest and most intimate level.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are no rubber bands for love, no walks or bike rides, yet love is the force behind all of the causes that drive us to be there for our families and friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So if you are feeling empty, remember that love is waiting around the corner to remind you why you are here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Go love and then love some more.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WB-Nahs-sB4/Weun4cTeXAI/AAAAAAAACGg/9uE3DULdA78pMYYKOsoXwlV8lzE_vDgSgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WB-Nahs-sB4/Weun4cTeXAI/AAAAAAAACGg/9uE3DULdA78pMYYKOsoXwlV8lzE_vDgSgCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0475.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For my parents - For your parents - the first to give us love and watch over us as we carry its fragile wings and release them to fly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-30681837866404878352017-08-14T20:56:00.000-04:002017-08-14T20:56:33.672-04:00What the FAUDA? Get me an Ativan!<br />
<br />
After hearing so much about the Netflix series - Fauda - from friends and family I finally decided to check it out - give it a go.<br />
<br />
I would not have hesitated but I saw there were subtitles and I wasn't sure if I could read, eat chips and watch a show all at the same time. I knew this was going to be a big responsibility and I had to be ready for it.<br />
<br />
Once I started watching - I realized that the subtitles may as well read....<br />
<br />
OH SHIT - OH SHIT - SOMETHING IS HAPPENING - SOMETHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN - SOMETHING JUST HAPPENED - SOMETHING IS HAPPENING AGAIN - GET ME SOME OXYGEN...<br />
<br />
Actually I haven't eaten or slept or talked to myself (probably have but I no longer notice - like when you are in a relationship with someone who is always talking - even during Fauda - and you just learn to tune them out). I'm not sure if it is raining or snowing because the blinds are drawn.<br />
<br />
I have a migraine from reading without my glasses and I also have a migraine from reading with my glasses. It's like I have read a novel in a half while on this Fauda binge. I may need a new eye glass prescription before the series is done and that would mean leaving my home and putting Fauda on pause. I don't think you can even pause Fauda - I think it is beyond pausing - it would just keep going.<br />
<br />
I haven't even had my Nespresso because I fear that ingesting caffeine while watching Fauda would be the equivalent of doing crack cocaine, speed and heroine all at once (not that I know anything about any of those drugs but I really liked Pulp Fiction).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U31ylSG6K0/WZCNmtatUHI/AAAAAAAACBQ/oZMyRz6z4Oosao1TQxsm7fS_eKvkGTmpgCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2017-08-13%2Bat%2B1.33%2BPM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1U31ylSG6K0/WZCNmtatUHI/AAAAAAAACBQ/oZMyRz6z4Oosao1TQxsm7fS_eKvkGTmpgCLcBGAs/s320/Photo%2Bon%2B2017-08-13%2Bat%2B1.33%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
It's reminiscent of Homeland however I feel the characters in Homeland are more complex or have been explored on a deeper level. Claire Danes is such a great actress and the awareness they bring to Bipolar illness and mental illness in general is significant and commendable.<br />
<br />
The women on Fauda are all beautiful and let me tell you fellas - women can appreciate other women on a whole other level. Women are beautiful - they are awesome and my mother wishes I would dress like one.<br />
<br />
There are also some steamy love scenes - somewhat raw and rushed but If I smoked I would have a cigarette after each one (because that is what they do in the movies when two people meet up at a motel for an illicit affair - they share a cigarette after and a shot of whiskey or tequila and the whole ritual is kind of intriguing. I would be more likely to take a shower and eat some cheesecake and go to sleep and i guess that is why no one is having an illicit affair with me - cheesecake anyone?)<br />
<br />
Anyway now I have gone completely off topic and I need to get back to eating my chips while both reading and watching my show (and trying to get Dunn's to deliver me strawberry cheesecake by osmosis).<br />
<br />
I think I just sat on my glasses or kettle chips - no - wait - it was the kettle chips!!!<br />
<br />
Oh FAUDA!<br />
<br />
<i>Are you watching Fauda?</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-31361039518265410602017-08-11T20:38:00.001-04:002021-09-03T15:18:05.809-04:00CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN DATING NETFLIX <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I did not expect to be single at this stage of life but I have found a
way around it and highly recommend it to anyone in my position.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Don’t get me wrong – being alone mid-life is not an easy pill to
swallow. Many deep thoughts have traversed through my slightly tangled and wondrous mind: </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><i>Maybe I should have stopped after the fifth tattoo.</i></span><br />
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Maybe baseball caps should no longer be a permanent fixture in my vast and glorious wardrobe. </span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Maybe I should have listened to my mother and married that accountant.</span></i><br />
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Maybe I should have ditched my graphic T's and button fly Levis for a dress - although there would be no real point to that (other than giving my mother a sliver of hope) because I would still be wearing my Levis under the dress.</span></i><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Yep I was digging real deep until one miraculous Saturday - I met Netflix and we started dating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">We didn’t meet on Tinder or Bumble – there were no swipes or hook ups or
need for geo tracking. Nope none of that - for just $10 - I found Netflix and
Netflix found me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">So far, the relationship is ideal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">I arrive home from work, take out the pooch, wrap my wrap (rice, cheese, guacamole - maybe I should have learned how to cook) and Netflix is right there waiting for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And after a long day of doing everything to avoid talking to people (maybe I should have become more extraverted), I don't have to worry about Netflix asking me about my day or giving me lip because I forgot to make the bed (first of all I did not forget to make the bed - I just did not make the bed - maybe I should start making the bed).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Netflix never plays hard to get or any games for that matter - I can date Netflix and binge for an entire weekend and Netflix will
still email me the next day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">Netflix starts every email with “Hi Lisa” – how great is that (actually it would be great if I could get Netflix to call me Babe because no one calls me Babe anymore)? Then Netflix informs me of what we may be doing on our next date simply by suggesting a movie or series I may like and I get to choose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">If it was up to my mother – in her words I would be “doing my hair and
putting on an outfit” so I could meet someone. Well Mom - Netflix doesn’t care what
I look like and no one other than Hilary Clinton wears “outfits” any more (Hilary Clinton has not approved of this message).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-iQgkYJyww/WY5NhTF8n-I/AAAAAAAAB_s/eQyCayMujXEkNcriu3o9EAHIYVTbUjE_gCLcBGAs/s1600/fullsizeoutput_19d.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="515" data-original-width="518" height="318" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c-iQgkYJyww/WY5NhTF8n-I/AAAAAAAAB_s/eQyCayMujXEkNcriu3o9EAHIYVTbUjE_gCLcBGAs/s320/fullsizeoutput_19d.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>And now for a commercial break</b> - Netflix is searching for the woman in this photo. We are dating and sometimes she leaves me to take selfies with dogs (I am not sure what else she does). If you see her - step back slowly and softly announce that Jason Bateman is writing another season of Ozark. I believe this is the only way to get her home. She recently stopped reading my emails because I refused to call her "Babe".</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">If you are wondering - what is wrong me? How can I admit to this? Where is my pride (or common sense)? Well the thing about being middle aged is you stop caring about what everyone thinks and you realize that the truth is the only way to go (and that truth is that your entire body is heading south).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And to sum it all up (are you still there?) - Here’s a filmstrip for you – it’s black and white – you are on this bus
and you’ve been on it for a long time – it pulls up to a diner in the desert –
the bus unloads – there’s a bathroom break – a cup of coffee – a piece of pie
and a waitress named Mabel – the bus driver announces the departure – everyone marches
back onto the bus and you are about to do so, when a </span><span style="font-size: 18pt;">stray dog covered in dust approaches. He has a twinkle in his eye and you feel as though
you have known him in another lifetime.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">He says “Are you sure you want to get back on that bus?”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">You realize that you don’t because the people on that bus are people you
no longer want or need in your life. They have failed you – they have hurt you –
and it’s time for a change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">The bus departs and you are left standing in the desert. The dog nudges you toward some place you have never been. </span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: 18pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA;">And there you go - you've got your dusty, desert dog - you've got your strength and resilience, you're a woman who doesn't wear outfits or give a Sh** and Jack has assured you that wherever you are going - they have Netflix.</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-83573796369902450072017-06-29T11:08:00.003-04:002021-10-29T10:29:43.051-04:00DEEP THOUGHTS FROM A 50 SOMETHING YR OLD WOMAN<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Since passing the 50 yard line - I have been experiencing some deep thoughts about all the stuff I am going to do when I am a Golden Girl. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are the top 13 - I couldn't stop at 10 because I am far too excited in anticipation of all that is to come:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>13</b> -JOIN A SENIORS SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING TROUPE </span><span style="font-size: medium;">EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT MY LIFE THAT IS SYNCHRONIZED AND THE BEST CONTRIBUTION I CAN MAKE IS BUBBLES FROM A FART IN THE POOL.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>12 </b>-ASK ONE OF THE HOT ORDERLIES TO CALL ME BABE </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(AND GIVE ME A SPONGE BATH).</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>11</b>-CINNAMON DANISH OR SEX = CINNAMON DANISH </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(UNLESS THE AFOREMENTIONED ORDERLY DIVES IN DURING THE SPONGE BATH AND DOES SOME "SYCRONIZATION"</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>10</b>-SUPER SIZE MY FRIES. Bring on the calories. It's time to let it all go.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>9-</b>TALK TO MYSELF WHEN SOMEONE IS TALKING TO ME </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(IF ANYONE IS ACTUALLY WILLING TO TALK TO ME).</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>8</b>-BRING ON THE DENTURES - </span><span style="font-size: medium;">NO SENSE IN HAVING TEETH ANYMORE OR GOING TO THE DENTIST AND I AM GOING TO EAT TONS OF GUMMIES AND CARAMEL POPCORN AND IF ANYTHING GETS STUCK - I AM JUST GOING TO SAVE IT FOR LATER.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>7-</b>WEAR SWEAT PANTS EVERY DAY - </span><span style="font-size: medium;">WE'RE TALKING GREY DRAWSTRING WORN REAL LOW (NOT THAT LOW) AND AN EXPOS SHIRT THAT MAY WILL THEM BACK AND DON'T EVER FORGET THE BASEBALL CAP.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkyeoohZH5Y/WiLVYLmjvPI/AAAAAAAACK0/8Oe_3JpiaxgllZ2IKFRII7E0d_K9W24RQCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2Bon%2B2017-08-12%2Bat%2B4.55%2BPM.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1080" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkyeoohZH5Y/WiLVYLmjvPI/AAAAAAAACK0/8Oe_3JpiaxgllZ2IKFRII7E0d_K9W24RQCLcBGAs/s320/Photo%2Bon%2B2017-08-12%2Bat%2B4.55%2BPM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Before I am Golden - I would very much like to reenact that scene from Lost in Translation - the end when Bill Murray tells his driver to stop the car because he sees Scarlett Johansson walking through the market. He runs to her (in my case he would be running to me) and he gives her a great - really great - soft - non invasive - warm kiss. I want that kind of kiss before I turn to gold - Bill Murray wherever you are - I'm already silver - come find me.</i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>6-</b>SING "THANK YOU FOR BEING A FRIEND" </span><span style="font-size: medium;">TO ALL OF THE FRIENDS I HAVE HAD SINCE GRADE SCHOOL AND HAVE STUCK AROUND AND WILL BE THERE EVEN WHEN MY TEETH FALL OUT, MY FACE IS COVERED IN CHOCOLATE, I'M TAKING WAY TOO MANY SPONGE BATHS, I AM KICKED OFF THE SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING TROUPE FOR FARTING IN THE POOL, I AM FAT FROM SUPER SIZING MY FRIES.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>5</b>-ASK FOR A SENIORS DISCOUNT EVERYWHERE. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">THAT INCLUDES YOU STARBUCKS.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4</b>-WHEEL MY GROCERIES HOME IN ONE OF THOSE BAGS ON WHEELS - </span><span style="font-size: medium;">GET OUT OF MY WAY BECAUSE I AM AN AWFUL GROCERY BAG ON WHEELS DRIVER. APPARENTLY I NEVER SIGNAL.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3</b>-WATCH LOTS OF NETFLIX AND EAT LOTS OF KETTLE CHIPS </span><span style="font-size: medium;">(ALREADY DOING THIS SO SHOULD BE A PRO BY THE TIME I AM GOLDEN).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2</b>-WITNESS THE RESHAPING, STRETCHING AND FRECKLING OF THE TATTOOS THAT I GOT WHEN I WAS IN MY 20S; </span><span style="font-size: medium;">NOT BEING WISE ENOUGH TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD LOOK LIKE WHEN I WAS NO LONGER IN MY 20S </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1</b>-AND FINALLY (FOR THOSE OF YOU STILL READING THIS) - </span>I WILL SIT BACK, RELAX, REFLECT ON MY LIFE AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENRICHED IT AND THOSE I LOVE AND MISS AND IF THAT IS THE ONLY THING MY MIND CAN REMEMBER BY THE TIME I AM GOLDEN - THAT WOULD BE TRULY GOLDEN.<br />
<span style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 18px;"></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What are you going to do when you are Golden?</span><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> <span color:black="" new="" roman="" serif="" times=""> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2508750021871627450.post-69917431190527066462017-04-14T10:22:00.000-04:002017-08-27T19:58:18.516-04:00People You Will Meet in Your Life<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmRv3JabCA4/UXfzVYbUPTI/AAAAAAAAC84/bpOHplRTISY/s1600/people+you+meet.jpg"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; text-decoration: none;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shapetype
id="_x0000_t75" coordsize="21600,21600" o:spt="75" o:preferrelative="t"
path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" filled="f" stroked="f">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter"/>
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"/>
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"/>
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"/>
<v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"/>
</v:formulas>
<v:path o:extrusionok="f" gradientshapeok="t" o:connecttype="rect"/>
<o:lock v:ext="edit" aspectratio="t"/>
</v:shapetype><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_6" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" type="#_x0000_t75"
alt="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmRv3JabCA4/UXfzVYbUPTI/AAAAAAAAC84/bpOHplRTISY/s320/people+you+meet.jpg"
href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BmRv3JabCA4/UXfzVYbUPTI/AAAAAAAAC84/bpOHplRTISY/s1600/people+you+meet.jpg"
style='width:211.5pt;height:240pt;visibility:visible;mso-wrap-style:square'
o:button="t">
<v:fill o:detectmouseclick="t"/>
<v:imagedata src="file:///C:\Users\lisa\AppData\Local\Temp\msohtmlclip1\01\clip_image001.jpg"
o:title="people+you+meet"/>
</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPigQSthYh8/WPDZ898oc1I/AAAAAAAAB8M/FOwlvw8Nv-EsZa5SMJpPXg-3QzL4S9DaQCLcB/s1600/double_line_sunset_hd_widescreen_wa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPigQSthYh8/WPDZ898oc1I/AAAAAAAAB8M/FOwlvw8Nv-EsZa5SMJpPXg-3QzL4S9DaQCLcB/s320/double_line_sunset_hd_widescreen_wa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone who makes you
feel like 2 cents.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone who makes you
feel like a million dollars.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A friend who never
grew up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A friend who never
had the chance to be a kid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone more
successful than you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone in need of a
hand up not a hand out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A co-worker who makes
your life impossible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A co-worker who
enriches your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A mentor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone for you to
mentor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A teacher who changes
the course of your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A lover you are
addicted to and can never have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone who will hurt
you because they have been hurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Someone who teaches
you how to love yourself by loving you first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">An offensive,
unpleasant, aggressive individual who upsets you to your very core.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A warm, engaging soul
who nurtures you in every way and makes you whole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">·</span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "; font-size: 7.0pt;" times=""> </span><span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times="">Friends who are there at the beginning and the end of every beginning</span><br />
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times=""><br /></span>
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times=""> And those who love you </span><br />
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times=""> enough to meet you </span><br />
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times=""> somewhere in the middle.</span><br />
<span color:black="" mso-bidi-font-family:="" mso-fareast-font-family:="" mso-fareast-language:en-ca="" new="" roman="" serif="" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;" times=""> Wherever that may be...</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You will meet so many different people in your life. Some bring positive energy - others not so much. Focus on the people who are by your side when you are down on the floor - broken and spent assuring you that everything will be okay even if they are not sure of that themselves. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">It only takes one great person to remind you why you are here...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;">Who is your great person?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
Lisa Audrey Cohenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10248548375687310507noreply@blogger.com0