Lighthouses have always fascinated me … there’s something so dramatic about them. I remember as a little girl thinking how cool it would be to live in one. They always evoked images of a rugged and romantic existence but in reality it was probably a hard life. Lonely, tedious, solitary and dangerous. But also undoubtedly important.
Australia has over 350 lighthouses, dotted around its vast coastline. We’ve trekked to many of them, climbed spiral staircases that lead to spectacular views of the ocean and even stayed overnight in a Light Keepers cottage.
This is the Cape De Couedic lighthouse on Kangaroo Island, shining bright on a hot summer day, but no doubt it’s stood through many storms too.
Here we are climbing the Sugarloaf Point lighthouse at Seal Rocks in NSW.
In the peaceful seaside village of Port Germein in South Australia the light house was silhouetted against a burnt orange sky.
Out on the water these boats moor peacefully as sunshine dazzles and shines bright.
But we all know how unpredictable Mother Nature is and how quickly she can change her mood from one of calm to one of fury.
When heavy fog, violent storms and turbulent seas hit that’s when these beacons do their job. Their sheer presence and shining light keeps vessels on the right path.
Away from rocky cliffs.
Just as ships need a lighthouse to navigate them out of stormy waters so do people. We all need a light house in our life. Someone who guides us out of troubled times, someone who stops us from crashing into rocks with their strong and unwavering presence.
For me it was my mum. She was my shining light, a pillar of strength that I always looked up to. But I’ve realised I can be strong and steady in my own right.
We can all be strong.
We can all be our own lighthouse. Even when storms lash at our walls and we feel like we’re drowning in darkness we need to remember our own worth. Life constantly throws us challenges and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed but we need to trust that we can stand tall and get through them.
Believe in yourself. We really can weather any thing that comes our way.
And then we can let our light shine
In response to The Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: Shine
and sharing for Nurturing Thursday
I love your analogy to us and lighthouses- beautiful. Your photos are wonderful too
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Thanks so much Lisa.
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Fantastic shots especially the boat photo! And thanks for a powerful message with this post. I needed to be reminded again to stay strong even in the face of overwhelming challenges. Great post as always! 🙂
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Thanks very much. Hope you’re doing okay Stella. Take care. xo
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You’re welcome! I am trying to cope with the exigencies of the times… otherwise, I am doing okay. Thanks so much. Hugs! 🙂
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What a great name you have! Simple Dimple – brilliant!! 😀
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Thank you so much. I got it from my very simple Dimple that brightens my face, lol. 🙂
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It’s very catchy and memorable, Stella (yes – I stalked you back to your blog). Have yourself a blessed day. 🙂
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Oh! I bursted a laugh and it’s all a good start to the weekend. Thanks for the subtle humor. So kind words. Have a beautiful weekend. Cheers. 🙂
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You’re very welcome, Stella. Going to the cinema to see a movie now (what else would I do there? 🙂 ) – have a great weekend yourself. 🙂
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Thank you. And what’s this movie you are going to see? Enjoy it anyways. Cheers. 🙂
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The movie was ‘Girl On A Train’ – it is a good movie if you like all that psychological suspense stuff, but a bit sleep-inducing if you don’t. 🙂 Seen any good movies lately, Stella?
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Beautiful post Miriam. As always I’m in love with the way you tie your stunning photos into the message of the post. They always do a great job at driving home the point of your message. Hope you’re doing well, sending lots of ❤ ❤ ❤
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That’s so kind of you to say, thanks Niki. And yes, I’m doing okay. Hope you’re having a happy week. Hugs to you xo
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❤
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Your post are always so poetic and filled with great photos. Always a fresh view.
Thanks for sharing
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My absolute pleasure Bella.
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Absolutely beautiful Miriam. Ii enjoyed this, deep post. 🙂
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Thank you Lynne.
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I love the inspiration in your post as much as I love the photos that you’ve taken. Thanks for the positive message on this gloomy Thursday!
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Aw, thanks so much Rob. Glad I could brighten up your day a tad.
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I thought of lighthouses too and automatically thought of Australia. We have seen so may and they really are lifesavers! Nice post
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Thanks David. Great minds think alike, hey?
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Beautiful photographs and I love the symbolism of lighthouses in one’s life. We all have that light within.
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We certainly do. Thank you Xenia. xo
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Amazing!
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Thanks Wendy!
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Very cool. I suddenly feel the need to climb a spiral staircase. 😉 nicely written and great photos!
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Haha. Thanks Eric. Now go climb that staircase! 😊
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Great photos Miriam, my kids loved light houses when they were little, we visited many of them. It’s always good to have a light to guide us. I love candle light, it’s peaceful and give me comfort.
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Oh, me too Elizabeth. I have candles in all corners of my home.
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How beautiful, I really have a soft spot for lighthouses:)
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Thanks Inger. There’s something pretty magical about them, no doubt.
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Beautiful photos, Miriam. I love visiting lighthouses. There’s something magical about them.
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I totally agree George. We have lots of wonderful memories visiting them.
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I like lighthouses! I have a collection of them in my house and a picture !! 😊
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I used to have pictures of them on the wall as well, before we moved.
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Perfect photos for the challenge this week, Miriam. You are clever! I like lighthouses too. I think we are drawn to them because, like the special people in our lives, they offer protection and guidance.
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Beautifully said Carol, thank you.
Have a wonderful weekend. (We’re almost there!)
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Thanks. This will be my first weekend since we returned from UK that I have nowhere to go and I’m going to make the most of it. 😁
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Sounds good. Enjoy!
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Wow. Miriam there are some great photos in this post and they great as a group. Love all the light and clouds in the one with the yachts. it reminds me of the new film The Light between the Oceans. Apparently they shot some of it around Stanley in Tasmania. My book club read it and enjoyed it. Have a great weekend, Five days off work for me. Louise
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Hi Louise, I haven’t heard of that one, either film or book but I do absolutely love Tassie and not surprised it’d be used as a film location. Enjoy your five days off, how wonderful.
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I think the film is just out now.
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I’ll have to look out for it.
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Lovely photo of the moored yachts on the sparkling ocean.
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Thanks Coral, it was such a glorious day when I took that.
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Miriam, this post is beautifully written with great photos that illustrated yours so well. Love it.
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That’s so kind, thanks Audrey.
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Love lighthouses, great shots!
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Thanks Maverick.
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Your thoughts at the end of your post are inspiring.
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Thank you kindly!
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A wonderful message and great photos to accompany it. Thank you for sharing with Nurturing Thursday!
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You’re most welcome Becca.
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Beautiful. My dad loved lighthouses. A beautiful photo of one still hangs framed in my mom’s house. Dad built one… small, only about 4 feet tall… and he wired it so it had a light and everything… it’s still in Mom’s garden.
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That sounds amazing. Your dad sounds like a very creative man Sandra. xo
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Beautiful Miriam. You have a wonderful way with words (and images.) We used to take a walk to a lighthouse every year when we holidayed in Wales. I remember how exciting this was as a child. It reminds me of the times when our family was complete. I’m sure your Mum is beaming her light on you, bathing you with her pride and love. Sending you love and warm wishes xx
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What a beautiful comment Hayley. Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing your special memories. xo
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My pleasure Miriam 🙂 xo
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Beautiful pictures Miriam. As always, you never ran out of beautiful things or places to show us…I also love your message. I agree that we can be our own lighthouses. Although it feels good to know someone is guiding us, but we can be strong by ourselves when circumstances needs us to be. I can see in this post you were thinking about your mum. I’m sure she’s with you everyday, beaming her smile, being proud knowing how strong a woman you are! 😊
In my one experience of climbing a lighthouse here, I didn’t know I was pregnant with my daughter! I also trekked and did zipline on that week! Thank goodness she was safe all the while! 😊
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Oh Nina, thanks for your very thoughtful and kind words. I appreciate them. 😊
I remember when I was pregnant with my daughter but like you didn’t know, and I went snow-skiing. Yikes! Maybe that’s why to this day she has such good balance.
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She probably got that from your snow-skiing! It’s crazy right! We’re doing all these adventurous and dangerous stuffs not knowing the risks for our little ones. All I can say is God is good! 😊
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Yeah, Absolutely. Someone was looking out for us.
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😊
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Good shots and insightful text, Miriam
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Thanks Derrick.
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So I’m thinking to myself that you should write some of your experiences of life in your blog and so I visited to see if you already had and all I found was a travelogue type piece about lighthouses and I thought ‘hmm’ (as you do) and then I started reading and got interested (because you’re a rather entertaining writer after all) and then all these gorgeous photos started to load and I thought ‘wow!’ (as you do) and then I got to the end to find that you’d subverted the whole piece and turned it into a metaphor (or analogy or simile or something like that) and that the whole thing was really a tribute to your mom and I thought ‘wow, this girl really knows how to express herself and she don’t need nothing from me at all’. You’re a daughter to be proud of, Miriam. Heck, I’m proud to have you just as a friend!
Much love – Robert.
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Oh, Robert, you really are gorgeous but you obviously haven’t read many of my posts. But that’s okay. I’ve written a lot about my journey with mum. It was hard to open up at first but on my 100th post (The Longest Goodbye) I finally bared my soul. And haven’t looked back. Thank you for being here Robert and your kind comment. xo
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True that. Trouble is, the flight to Australia takes ages! And when I get there, no sooner have I read a post than I have to hop on another flight so that I can get back in time for bed!
Either that, or I’m selfish and thoughtless. Sorry about that. 😦
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Don’t be sorry, it’s okay, really, but maybe you’ve heard that travel time’s been cut down significantly these days! 😊You’re hardly selfish or thoughtless, just travel weary. I get that. I am too sometimes. Hugs xo
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Awesome pictures, Miriam! I love visiting old lighthouses.
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Thanks Sue. There’s just something about them isn’t there?
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I like the photos! Reminds me that I miss the beach!
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Thanks Jason. ☀️
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Miriam– love the thought about your mother being your light! I think that’s the hope of all mothers. Beautiful post. and– did you read The Light Between Oceans book (or see the movie?) set in Australia. I loved the book… take care! xo
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I’m not sure but I don’t think so. I might have to check it out. Thanks Rhonda. xo
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It’s a good one! I think you might like it.
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So beautiful, my Mom always loved lighthouses…sweet memories.
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Oh, thank you so much.
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My favorite place in all the world is Nubble LightHouse in York Beach Maine. Frank from Dutch Goes The Photo took one of the most gorgeous shots of it too. 🙂 That’s how I found his blog!
Your pics are all lovely Miri…but that one on the water with the sun….stunning!
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Wow, that’s awesome Nikki. What a great way to find a blog and Frank has such a wonderful one too. Have a great weekend. xo
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Thanks for this message, Miriam! We all need to believe in ourselves, and in our ability to shine our light despite the worst storms. I’ve always liked lighthouses, too. My favorite part of Sanibel Island, where we vacation often, is the lighthouse on the southern tip!
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Such beautiful, inspirational photos, and then the surprise at the end – the words of inspiration! Thanks for that. And I love the name Kangaroo Island.
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Thanks Kim. It’s an amazing place, full of natural beauty and, maybe not surprisingly, kangaroos!
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What a beautiful post Miriam.. You’re right.. “We all need someone who guides us out of troubled times, someone who stops us from crashing into rocks with their strong and unwavering presence.” Our mums wise words are continuing to guide us and through us we can pass on those wise words to our families too.. (not that they always listen… sometimes you have to crash into the rocks to learn for yourself)…. Wonderful post and wonderful pictures.. I recently took a couple of great photo’s of a lighthouse on our recent camping trip.. so yep – there is definitely something that captures the imagination when you look at them and how long they have stood helping sailors steer to safety for hundreds of years.. Fab! Have a brilliant weekend xxx
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Hi Wendy, yes, you’re right, sometimes we do have to crash into rocks to learn for ourselves. I’m finding that out, especially with my 18yo daughter at the moment who’s learning through her own experiences. It’s called life isn’t it. Hope everything is well with you my friend and you have a lovely weekend. xo
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Thanks Miriam – all is looking much brighter at this end apart from my house which looks like a bomb has exploded – well 2 very gorgeous bombs actually… fun was had by all concerned so who cares!
Yep – 18 year olds… I remember it well – they know it all don’t they!! I’ve got 18 year old and 19 year nieces who live next door and they are gorgeous but definitely don’t take ‘advice’.. It’s so hard to zip our mouths closed when you can see what’s coming but it has to be done…
I hope you’re having a good weekend too Miriam? xx
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Hi Wendy, yes I’m having a lovely weekend. Busy but nice. 😊
So glad all went well with Jen. I just read your post on your “two gorgeous bombs” and had a feeling you were referring to your granddaughters! Sounds like you all had a lot of fun. Enjoy the rest of your weekend. xo
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Big family relief this weekend and I know Jen’s got some recovery to go for all to heal but stage 1 has gone as well as it possibly could and I’m sure the vibration from all the amazing wishes from around the world has to have helped!
You’re right of course.. 2 gorgeous ‘bombs’ was reference to my adorable girlies.. They’ve just gone home after a week at Nanny’s house so I’m enjoying a peaceful cup of tea and I’m sure in a couple of hours I’ll be missing those adorable smiles and for now I’m ‘having a snooze! haha…… Fortunately they only live 5 mins away so I’ll be catching more smiles very soon.. I’m glad you’re having a great weekend and hope you get chance for that ‘peaceful’ cuppa too! xxx
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So glad it’s all gone well Wendy. I’m sure you probably already miss those smiles and giggles but also relishing the peace and chance for a cuppa and putting your feet up. How lucky you are that you all live so close. Here it’s a long holiday weekend in Melbourne and it’s been a quiet but good one. Tonight we’re catching up with friends for dinner which I’m looking forward to. xo
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Such a beautiful reminder! Thank you for this.
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You’re most welcome Tiffany ❤️
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Yes, I think we have to, Miriam. 🙂 I love lighthouses too and those seas, stormy or otherwise. Hoping this weekend is kind to you.
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Thank you Jo. Wishing the same for you. xo
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Your photos were a perfect compliment to this story. Thanks for the inspiration. I especially like the ending with the idea of being your own lighthouse.
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Glad you enjoyed it, thanks so much.
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Lovely photos and words, Miriam.
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Thanks Ruth.
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Oh sweetheart. *hugs* Yes, you can be your own lighthouse, just as you are, no doubt, the lighthouse for your baby girl.
I may not be a lighthouse for you, but I will light a candle. 🙂 ❤ ❤
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I love candles. And I reckon sometimes without your comments, I’d go crashing into the rocks! 🙂 xo Hugs
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Oh now you’re making me tear up again! You always get me! *Hugs* ❤ Love you!
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Lighthouses are such calming images, full of strength and fortitude. Now you’ve got me wondering if people really do convert old, unused lighthouses into modern homes. Sometime soon I’ll look around on the web for photos; I’m sure there must be something!
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I bet there are plenty of them out there. Have fun.
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Such an interesting post…. i didnt knew much about lighthouses… now i do ☺
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Thanks Maja.
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Your most welcome ❤
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How nice!
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