‘Welcome back to Regional Victoria’ the sign read. From the passenger seat I turned to hubby and excitedly said, “It’s so good to be back”.
We’re driving into the High Country, one of my favourite parts of Victoria. I’ve written countless articles on this area, on the vibrant colours, bike tracks and gourmet produce. And, of course, the big views.

But this time I’m not here for the stories. Lockdown is finally over and we’re free to travel beyond 25kms. We’re free to see our daughter again, to go camping and, miraculously, we get to do all of this, on the same weekend.
Our first big hug after so long was the best. Nothing beats real human connection. After exchanging belated birthday presents, enjoying lunch and some cat cuddles we’re escorted to our private ‘campground’, down by the river. It was here we set up our van, with close friends soon to join us.
RIVER MAGIC

There’s something mesmerising about the sound of flowing water. Here, close to camp, the pure, pristine Ovens River, fed from the mountains of the High Country also commands respect.
Harry, our exuberant pooch, jumped into the strong currents and would’ve ended up down the river if not for my daughter. In she went, boots, jeans and all, to yank him out. Cue laughter from parents.
Water is calming but it’s also powerful and has a force of its own.
Think how a river flows. It bends, takes its time. It’s gentle, yet powerful and when it faces an obstacle it simply flows around it. Sometimes it’s slowed by logs and rocks but it never stops and it always gets to where it needs to.
Rivers are a magical, moving, living part of the very earth. They twist and turn, always moving forward. They accept that “it is what it is and just go with the flow”. This is the foundation of river philosophy.
Everything passes. It’s true. The life giving river has so much to teach us, if we take the time to learn.
“Water is fluid, soft and yielding. But water will wear away rock, which is rigid and cannot yield. As a rule, whatever is fluid, soft and yielding will overcome whatever is rigid and hard. This is another paradox: what is soft is strong.” – Lau Tzu
“Give”, said the little stream, As it hurried down the hill. “I’m small, I know, but wherever I go, The fields grow greener still.” – Frances J. Crosby
NIGHT SKY MAGIC

As life on the water quietened and the day became night a fire was lit and, around the warmth and camaraderie of the flames, the magic continued.
With no distractions we immersed ourselves in its light. It commands focus and time slows. When my gaze lifts upwards from the fire, billions of night stars show how infinitely small we are in the grand scheme of things. And yet how connected we are. We’re all one. We don’t need to understand it. All we need do is embrace the mystery and love the miracle that is life.
“The Universe is saying: ‘Allow me to flow through you unrestricted, and you will see the greatest magic you have ever seen.’” — Klaus Joehle
“Everything you’ll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body.” — Dan Millman
Don’t just look at the stars. Be one.
That night I slept like a log and the following morning I found myself sitting on one. What bliss. As I sat in the morning peace I felt at one with the water, by the birdsong and clouds above. Nature was in harmony and I felt part of it. I was part of it.

FINDING OUR INNER MAGIC
Beyond the therapy of the flowing river, there’s another world of remembrance that lies within each of us.
Remember the magic of simplicity and that life doesn’t need to involve getting caught up in the narratives being played out around us. The mayhem perpetrated by the media. Our world is undergoing massive rapid change and, whether we understand it or not, we’re along for the ride. We don’t, however, need to get sucked into the fear. Do you still watch and believe the mainstream news? Turn it off and trust yourself instead.
The current of the water in the Ovens river was strong, so incredibly fast. Remember how Harry nearly got swept away? That’s how life feels lately. Everything’s moving so fast. So much that’s been dark and hidden is coming to the surface so keep your balance as things get rocky. Times are evolving but so are we, if we look inside ourselves and remember what matters.
We don’t need to meditate by a river to feel calm and to remember our essence. Wherever we are we can raise our vibration, align into our highest energy of love and come ‘home’, knowing that “like a river, there is no hurry and we’ll get there one day”.
THE MAGIC OF IMPERMANENCE
Things are constantly moving and changing. That’s life. And meditation allows us to embrace the nature of impermanence and learn to surf the waves with greater ease.
Next time you’re feeling angry, anxious or sad, explore the notion of impermanence. Know it’s like a passing weather front and it won’t last. When you connect to the truth that everything passes (both the bad and the good) you’ll find resilience in the setbacks and a greater joy in the present.
So, close your eyes and remember the innate magic that lies within you. Remember how strong you are. You don’t need validation from anyone, just as a river doesn’t need other forces to flow. It just does. It gives, takes, rejoices in its own purpose and flows with grace and ease. Be the same.
If you can believe anything, believe that you’re more than what they say you are. Believe that you’re a child of humanity and of the Universe. Believe in unity and that you’re a wave of extreme love. It’s real and inside you and it’s stronger than anything else.
Be well, keep your head above the surface and know your own power.
For the best is yet to come.
In love and light
So true ‘Water is calming but it’s also powerful and has a force of its own.’ Beautiful nature.
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Yes, nature is soothing and has been a huge source of natural therapy, throughout the entire lockdown.
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What a perfect weekend, Miriam. I’m so happy you were able to see your daughter and enjoy time outdoors. Your photos are gorgeous! I love the video of the river. I could watch that all day. Thank you for this lovely post.
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Hi Jill, happy to share the joy and peace of time away, especially on that beautiful river. Hope you enjoy the coming weekend too.
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There is certainly something about rivers that draws people to them. Maybe it’s just our natural need for the sustenance of that life-giving water.
Yours is a beautiful story told in word and image. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and memories of the day.
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Thanks for your comment John and yes there really is something about rivers. Have a great weekend.
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It’s fun to find your inner magic in beautiful surroundings.
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Yes, it is Tim. Good for the soul.
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I’m glad you were able to visit your daughter, go camping, and find your magic again. It seems we’re on the verge of another lockdown here. Thanks for the tips Miriam. May we remember to trust ourselves, love, and flow with a deeper connection to life.
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Hi Brad, yes, it seems the whole world has ramped up its lockdowns again. Stay strong my friend, we’ll get through this madness.
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Yes, eventually we’ll get through it or a mass revolt!
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Indeed!
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Love this! Love the trend of people returning to nature as I sit in my Mystical Forest with my fire burning, reading your blog! No one more creative than God and Mother Nature!!
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Yes indeed. I love your words Denise, you’ve conjured up a nice image.
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What a fabulous outing. Love the pics and video.
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Thanks Peggy. It was a great weekend.
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Just beautiful Miriam, enjoy being out and about!
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Thanks Deb. Always! 😊
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So good that you guys could finally catch up with each other, I’m still counting the days but plans are in place, all going well!!!
I know I don’t need to say enjoy every minute of it, you all deserve this time – celebrate.:)
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Indeed Glenys and hopefully you’ll be able to catch up with Adam soon too. Especially now that your lockdown has been lifted. It’s all very peculiar, don’t you think?
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Strange times indeed but I think the majority of SA are very very happy with how it’s being managed here, go hard until facts are known then lighten up. 🤞🏻
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“Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?” This blog reminds me of this quote, we think we are around circles but when we look back it was never the same.
Thanks for sharing your magical experience with nature😉😊
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That’s such a great quote and really reminds us of the constant nature of change. Thanks for sharing.
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My pleasure☺
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I’m so glad your lock down is finally over and you are able to see your daughter again! And that you are moving into summer, which would be so nice. Enjoy it all…you deserve it. And I agree about the mainstream media. Yes, we are dealing with a whole lot of change and even some scary stuff here in the US, but that doesn’t mean we have to buy into the fear mongering. Level heads, calm spirits and loving hearts are what will get us through it, and those are found within, I believe!
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Yes! So true Ann, that’s where our true power is and realising that we all have the ability to choose our own reality, regardless of what’s going on, by focusing on all the good that’s still in our lives. Thanks for your lovely comment my friend. I wish you all the very best. xx
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Your post is full of magic! 😊❤
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Thank you Mags, I’m glad you felt it. ✨
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❤️
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yea I knew you’d be out camping and to include daughter in that, what a bonus!
Much wisdom shared as usual Miriam, thanks for spreading the joy 🙂
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Ahh Kate, it was only fitting that our first trip was to go and stay near our daughter. She lives in such a gorgeous part of Vic. Hope you’re well and enjoying your weekend dear friend.
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sure am, thanks Miriam … take care and enjoy your freedom once more 🙂
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Lovely post and wonderful news that you can catch up with family and friends again. I really needed to read the part about not requiring validation, thank you ❤️
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Thanks Kellie and yes, it’s wonderful we’re now able to see our family and friends again. Hope all is well in your world. Sending love ❤️
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What a beautiful re-entry into the world, Miriam. So happy that your family and friends were able to gather and experience the wonder of the outdoors together after a long and tiring lockdown. Seeing your daughter must have felt like Christmas morning. Oh, and I am also very happy the dog didn’t end up down the river!! I hope you enjoyed every second of your weekend and had the best time ever! I have no doubt you did. 😘
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Hi Tanya, ‘re-entry into the world’, that’s a great way of putting it! And you’re spot on too, being with family and friends by the river, and under the big night sky was just perfect. Hope you’re doing well my friend, I’m sure it’s quite a different scenario over there but hang tight and dream of better days, they’re coming. Much love xx
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Oh, Miriam! How refreshed I feel now after viewing this post. God bless you, dear friend! I’ve been fighting so hard as a digital soldier and will not stop until my Inner Guidance tells me. As you saw today I’m showing TRUTH on my blog but yet too many are still remaining silent. The FEAR has strangled them! One woman said how shocked she was knowing now Black Friday is not canceled. Still so blind but perhaps that small jolt got her to THINK but why is this happening? When I saw the DC rally I cried and I cried for I have not seen American spirit like that in a long time. Thank you for reminding me to flow …. pushing against ROCK has been tough. So I remember I AM soft and pliable and am able to move around the ROCK.
The picture of you on the log says how in the moment you are! And then to hear the gurgle of the stream and the song of the Spring birds brought tears to my eyes. Lord, I miss already those sounds and am truly sad to see color and sound disappear. I know your posts will help me get through Winter here and I thank you for that. Your peace and gentleness are a salve for any soul. Much love to you, dear friend!! (((HUGS))) xo
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Thank you dear Amy. Yes I read your post and, as you know, resonated deeply with your truth and words of conviction. You’re right, the fear has strangled them yet I do think that every day more and more people are waking up to the mainstream narratives. The DC rally is proof of that. It’s hard not to want to shake other sleepers but people will see the truth in their own time. Posts like yours help, for those who want to question. Sadly many don’t. So all we can do is continue to shine our own light and hold that frequency of love and peace. Sending you a tonne of that and big hugs too my friend. xxx
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You are really up late tonight, my friend. Yes I will keep on shining my light and shooting “bullets of words” to break up the dark where needed. I cannot change anyone and that includes my husband. He’s still on the fence yet he has begun to see the “light” what with all Sidney Powell is saying. Yep. Hold the line and stay in your happy place!!! God bless you!! And I am answering comments over at my blog. Those who have commented deserve recognition and an answer from me. Love you, Miriam!! xoxoxo
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Yep, my hubby’s on the fence too, dealing with simply what’s in front of him and not looking any further. I can’t force him to question so I simply stay in my peace.
It’s actually Monday morning now, nearly 8am, so a new week has just begun. Lots of spring rain here today. Love you too Amy! xxx
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Can’t seem to keep time straight. LOL
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“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves.” Your words and those of Bruce Lee have a wisdom one should heed.
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Thank you my friend. There’s wisdom all around us, especially in nature, if only we open our eyes, and mind.
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And it’s free for the taking.
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Absolutely.
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Miriam, love how you have embraced meditation. I love your words and the free feeling in them. I t is wonderful news that Australia is out of lockdown fully. That is some achievement well done to you all and your government. It is so nice that you can return to a normal life.
I love the two quotes
“The Universe is saying: ‘Allow me to flow through you unrestricted, and you will see the greatest magic you have ever seen.’” — Klaus Joehle
“Everything you’ll ever need to know is within you; the secrets of the universe are imprinted on the cells of your body.” — Dan Millman
Meditation is a true healer as is journaling. Life is change for sure. And we adjust with it.
Beautiful post and photos as always.
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Beautiful post with well captured beauty of nature!
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Thank you very much 💚
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Most welcome!
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Beautiful pics….the water looks so soothing 💟
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Thank you and yes, it was, pure and pristine. 💙
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Cara amica and lioness-rockstar-shining-light, what a treat. You sincerely manage to touch my heart and soul so deeply with every piece you write, because you always come from such an inspired, heartfelt, and soulful place – it just shines through in such a compelling, and undeniable way my friend. It´s truly a massive blessing to have you in my life and to savor your words, images, and messages. Thank you for reminding me of all this, thank you for sharing your wisdom and Miri-magic with us! I so loved this part “Wherever we are we can raise our vibration, align into our highest energy of love and come ‘home’, knowing that “like a river, there is no hurry and we’ll get there one day”. There is such truth in this – doesn´t truth always feel like (heart-) expansion and like letting out a sigh of relief and feeling a resonance of “Yes” in your bones? Sigh. Truly loved this, cara amica, and so happy for you that you got to hug your daughter again and enjoy the delights of being out an about. So much amore, amor, and love across the oceans! You are magical. Baci baci💖💖💖💖💖
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Hello beautiful Maria, thank you as always amica for your kind words. You see my words as soulful and heartfelt because you’re the same my dear, we come from the same heart space and are like peas in a pod! It’s a blessing to have you in my life as well
I hope you’re keeping well and are happy and at peace amongst the turmoil of the outer world. Big expansive hugs and much love to you. xxxx ✨💕
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My beloved amica, it´s my absolute pleasure as always and thank you so much for your sweet words here. We are truly anam cara, soul friends, my dear. Like peas in a pod, yes:) What a wonderful gift!! I just sent you an email through lovely, already missed you in the last weeks. Thank you again for your magnificent, generous heart and all you share!! I dance in and out of peace these weeks. Well, as long as there´s dance involved, it can´t be too bad, right 😛 Ricky Martin and stuff! lol lol lol. Big kisses and so much love my gorgeous friend ✨💕✨💕✨💕
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Did someone mention dancing!!! 😁💃🎵 Oh yes, I’m right there with you amica, in and out of peace, I can definitely relate to that. Have just replied to your email. Talk soon. Bacioni xxxx
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Thanks so much lovely, was so wonderful to receive it! Will get back to you these days. Sending tons of love, hugs, and kisses💖💃🎵
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That was an absolutely magical and peaceful minute on the river, Miriam. Thank you so much for sharing it. It reminded me that I need to go visit my nearby river more often and just immerse myself in its rhythm. You’ve shared some beautiful truths. I’m so happy that you were finally free to be able to see your daughter and go camping. What wonders for the soul!! Stay well, my friend. xx
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Hi Amy, I’m glad you enjoyed my post and minute of magic on the river. Amazing how soothing nature is. I hope you can get down to your river nearby and enjoy some of its magic. Take care my friend and big hugs. xx
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Very nice it must have been wonderful to be with the nature.
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Yes, indeed. It always is.
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Awesome post! And that video is so.. magical ✨
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Thank you. Glad you enjoyed.
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So many good things happen around us but we don’t notice 👍
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Yes, the secret is keeping our eyes open.
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🙂👍
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So glad you’ve visited your daughter and re connected with the high country. Things are almost normal again.
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Thanks L and yes a strange kind of normal, which feels very different. But very grateful to be able to move again.
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A refreshing post. Water is so relaxing … and even more so with moving water. Also love seeing this area that I know so little about. Thanks for that. We love traveling, but haven’t been to your land yet …. and I did say yet. 🙂
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I hope you make it out here one day Frank. There’s a massive and beautiful coastline for you to enjoy with hundreds of potential beach walks!
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Someday ad it’s on our list. Covid has disrupted our travel plans.
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Amazing post. Your writing is so touching that brought tears to my eyes. So happy you got to see your family again and enjoy this beautiful locations. Wishing you a wonderful day Much love and light Cris
http://www.photosbycris.com.au/?p=11100
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Thank you so much Cris, really appreciate that Love and light back to you my friend. x
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We never needed magic more urgently! Beautiful post ❤
Lindifique
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Thank you. There is magic everywhere, if we look with open eyes.
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👌
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Oh Miriam… This was like a breath of fresh air.. I actually felt your Sigh!.. Your relief as you were able to travel and be free… Hugging your daughter.. And sitting by the river.. ( Loved that photo and video )….
You created your own space of Magic that travelled around the world which landed in my living room this evening, as I find time at last to catch up a little with you…
Sending you lots of love… Happy travelling…. Enjoy dear friend.. Much love your way ❤
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Thanks so much Sue, I’m so glad that you were able to feel the joy and contentment that I felt when I wrote this post. Even thinking back to that weekend, memories of time by the river and being with my daughter makes me smile. I’m glad that happiness landed in your living room. Lots of love and hugs sent back to you my friend. ❤️
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It did and it was really felt and needed the day I landed upon your post. Do thank YOU. 💚🙏🧡
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I felt like I was in a tube floating down the lazy river just allowing life to float in…and float out. Your writing is so beautiful, Miriam! You insights about life are full of
wisdom that can only come from a soul who has lived so wonderfully. Thanks for sharing from your soul! 🧡🌻
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Lorrie, what a beautiful comment and what lovely imagery you’ve evoked with your kind words. I guess we are all kind of floating down this river of life together, one way or another. I’m glad you’re along for the ride with me, even if it’s only virtually. Big hugs. 💙
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Sweet Blessings my friend! I am so grateful for our connection. Who knows…maybe one day we will meet in person!😉
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Oh, I would love that Lorrie, and you just never know! 🙏
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Can’t believe how cool you are. Everything you do is like a celebration to life! Love that you go camping, create your own music and share your experiences with the world. Keep up your inspiring work, I’m sure it helps a lot of people 🙂
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Oh, you’ve just made my morning!! Thank you so much and yes, I will. 🥰🙏
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