tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70379229000622830552024-03-17T07:47:51.044-07:00I Will Never Leave YouGrief changes us. This blog is about my journey from loss to peace, learning to see the world anew, but never leaving my soul mate behind.Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.comBlogger749125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-18159645651793195702024-03-17T07:47:00.000-07:002024-03-17T07:47:12.773-07:00Happy St. Patrick's Day!<p>46 years ago today we had our first day and a wonderful life was born.</p><p>I love you, John.</p><p>♥</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1j0ZjULhRAKASPNtTTUUJUbX7Fh5Lgv2FnVaGeLq43kcMwMMJdro0ndT_Wi_07CmMm_eVj1QHXkTzLXUvvtk2EvFR5LfpndqkVU5s8zEvgSQeySNoSLaZVw-xDTsjT_DoKlaSS3xo0G1eEyaZjiPymJWqQIyu0PjFr3Qf9eYJ-4iF_wh8VO9rL12vz4/s631/John%20St%20Patricks%20Day%20overlay-denoise-standard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="631" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1j0ZjULhRAKASPNtTTUUJUbX7Fh5Lgv2FnVaGeLq43kcMwMMJdro0ndT_Wi_07CmMm_eVj1QHXkTzLXUvvtk2EvFR5LfpndqkVU5s8zEvgSQeySNoSLaZVw-xDTsjT_DoKlaSS3xo0G1eEyaZjiPymJWqQIyu0PjFr3Qf9eYJ-4iF_wh8VO9rL12vz4/w445-h444/John%20St%20Patricks%20Day%20overlay-denoise-standard.jpg" width="445" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-82599628099218617852024-03-15T07:31:00.000-07:002024-03-15T07:31:51.125-07:00Happy Bunkie Day!<p>John moved in with me 44 years ago today. A wonderful day that he called Bunkie Day. We celebrated it every year.</p><p>I love you and miss you so much, John.</p><p>♥</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispqSQ_Tpthet8LFEa1AuSEckVOwDC3IHwXAkEB2mGpVIz0typxKQvIozAVmF2fQM45EGXXHNnVwdSU_a_WykLUvFH_4rfB9_lLv8UVQW1ub565GODErImerJuqrjr_j9ggif72pVGFAVryVlzPAvrXCFFBooEIp7jnp_RW9S1zIuNpyWVReUcpV_kPuM/s730/Bunkie%20Day%20edited-3-denoise-denoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispqSQ_Tpthet8LFEa1AuSEckVOwDC3IHwXAkEB2mGpVIz0typxKQvIozAVmF2fQM45EGXXHNnVwdSU_a_WykLUvFH_4rfB9_lLv8UVQW1ub565GODErImerJuqrjr_j9ggif72pVGFAVryVlzPAvrXCFFBooEIp7jnp_RW9S1zIuNpyWVReUcpV_kPuM/w504-h640/Bunkie%20Day%20edited-3-denoise-denoise.jpg" width="504" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-5279463985705293862024-02-14T09:23:00.000-08:002024-02-14T09:23:19.188-08:00Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HpXwSSxDqdULG9E5NAozWy6ggJG-CTEMtY_bhb-lcLzl-Y9-qk1dYrU2HdUJW5p8Y9mWg71XTkb6DD7PgjjvRQyoYgM9AcfG9QegAO8FPIFu2p7pnED5evI9c19_qEBsdbsWCqWY3XxnF44FG8UOvN6RMVACBti9u6Fzux90FLf3xBWswuV_jLHSFc0/s485/John%20smile%204.07%20w.hearts.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="372" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HpXwSSxDqdULG9E5NAozWy6ggJG-CTEMtY_bhb-lcLzl-Y9-qk1dYrU2HdUJW5p8Y9mWg71XTkb6DD7PgjjvRQyoYgM9AcfG9QegAO8FPIFu2p7pnED5evI9c19_qEBsdbsWCqWY3XxnF44FG8UOvN6RMVACBti9u6Fzux90FLf3xBWswuV_jLHSFc0/s400/John%20smile%204.07%20w.hearts.jpg" /> </a>And thank you for the wonderful beautiful sign you sent today.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">♥<br /></div>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-33359810715102095542023-12-31T07:29:00.000-08:002023-12-31T07:29:04.729-08:00A Christmas message<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG3r9U7momyVdNdL204cAb8BbTL1ICPj_VazawEhwxhaYeOyOmZuhn7c3c5707tJJnM4rKvy7slEtCCSroIa6dJeNEqrHfc_Ba8hYBP7XvqylP8AkfxZEVi1iA8EU5rkSGTvdvpl_e4Hau7mYnauWjcKIl1kskpJfa3asbrB_NLVSNgJ7ERBU98GNZYQ/s1746/2023-12-29%2020.31.55-1_vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1746" data-original-width="829" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzG3r9U7momyVdNdL204cAb8BbTL1ICPj_VazawEhwxhaYeOyOmZuhn7c3c5707tJJnM4rKvy7slEtCCSroIa6dJeNEqrHfc_Ba8hYBP7XvqylP8AkfxZEVi1iA8EU5rkSGTvdvpl_e4Hau7mYnauWjcKIl1kskpJfa3asbrB_NLVSNgJ7ERBU98GNZYQ/w190-h400/2023-12-29%2020.31.55-1_vignette.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><p>I gift myself Christmas presents from John every year. I know he didn't buy them, of course. But I like to think he would have if he were here. But even though I tell myself that, it's still not the same thing as getting something really from him.</p><p>But this year was different.</p><p>I met a dear friend for lunch a couple of days ago. And we exchanged Christmas presents. Hers to me touched my heart.</p><p>It was a Willow Tree figurine. I love them and have many. But I didn't have this one.</p><p>It's called <i>Messenger </i>and the note from the company says "Bringing comfort and love from afar". My friend said she felt especially inspired to buy this for me. I KNOW that was John. He sent me a real present from him this year.</p><p>Thank you. Thank you for my dear dear friend. Thank you for John's love. </p><p>Namaste.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-82046020174309729802023-12-25T06:29:00.000-08:002023-12-25T06:29:32.639-08:00Merry Christmas!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOx8-9GABJTWuzvJO5_BGxJFXDo0tQYc_J13HyQe2hs7l9r-IEi7Agm4ee6VAJobgNk7m42aCpTwOfRuax3FcgShi5_T1g32CHdOyZPKMvf68hPsZ7zWh4JtLZMktLELS4jLO-UicE-uZge5zotZX5LMSY5nMEi_KFPC8lC3v6GLZIET7VQPMq_7o3vI/s579/us_fixed_Christmas%202001-denoise-standard.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div><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/AVvXsEhmPxOsrKZNHljWPsyNkMGHnIDTnUOLYBrEuO5kqJpxnnoic9jsRcTkyND52oToFEXOGsqh7PwaE3ngSLheJBGnpyr-1T-picRj6QoxU5Ej1sVbCCGJl7aYfcFULY8LBnBG254pnckjPDLGH-uIGxiYYrmtt2Oal4SmNl0so7ClAjGvy4C6TX37m-fk8us/s579/us_fixed_Christmas%202001-denoise-standard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="579" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPxOsrKZNHljWPsyNkMGHnIDTnUOLYBrEuO5kqJpxnnoic9jsRcTkyND52oToFEXOGsqh7PwaE3ngSLheJBGnpyr-1T-picRj6QoxU5Ej1sVbCCGJl7aYfcFULY8LBnBG254pnckjPDLGH-uIGxiYYrmtt2Oal4SmNl0so7ClAjGvy4C6TX37m-fk8us/w640-h558/us_fixed_Christmas%202001-denoise-standard2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I miss our Christmases.</div><p></p><p>Merry Christmas, Sweetheart!</p><p>♥<br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-52124514040570354452023-11-09T07:25:00.000-08:002023-12-31T07:53:51.076-08:00A message<p>I tend to ruminate a lot. Especially when I am driving. My mind goes non-stop between watching traffic and thinking through problems. I'm a worrier. It's my superpower.</p><p>Yesterday was no different. </p><p>I was driving to a haircut appointment and also worrying about many things - some health issues, the upcoming house repairs, and so forth. </p><p>Then, I noticed the car ahead of me and its license plate caught my eye. <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcI-IBynMBC6dhJIhXIn0QDhXlOThyphenhyphenKnFENCznUXd13FjDqZfVvwpVzbG98tC6aA1w2NgJaEXxCCUul97yXonQTSJl0iCOKtsxaBX-Tl6hB4_PAnd98DWePm2bZGAdZogzCHZyecySmOvZ_19d-Gagocn6yfxSZ0jKEewsPa_-ioJbcCXPTTij8HiZ7k/s471/6900987_500x500.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="471" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBcI-IBynMBC6dhJIhXIn0QDhXlOThyphenhyphenKnFENCznUXd13FjDqZfVvwpVzbG98tC6aA1w2NgJaEXxCCUul97yXonQTSJl0iCOKtsxaBX-Tl6hB4_PAnd98DWePm2bZGAdZogzCHZyecySmOvZ_19d-Gagocn6yfxSZ0jKEewsPa_-ioJbcCXPTTij8HiZ7k/s320/6900987_500x500.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />I suppose it could have meant any number of things but I read it as Bunkie Love.<p></p><p>John always called me his Bunkie. He did that from the first day he moved in with me. And we always celebrated that day as one of our important anniversaries. He called it Bunkie Day.</p><p>I truly believe John was reaching out to me yesterday and telling me to stop worrying about things so much. He was also still calling me his Bunkie which I loved, and telling me that he still loved me. I love that too.</p><p>Thank you, John. Message received.</p><p>Namaste.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-36318215526113163632023-10-18T06:59:00.004-07:002023-10-18T07:06:20.958-07:00Our loved ones are always sending us messages - we have to listen<p></p><p>I haven't written here in some time but a couple of things happened recently that are noteworthy.<!--[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>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser/>
<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="376">
<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:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Link"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[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:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Segoe UI Emoji";
color:black;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz69vIM3EjrROKfMI0k7uasBaMNRGV0tQM9RDmYyftGmCCisi-XPPlxia8PH_Q9ep1Q9MDaSQmNyMu8VtvWdsdLv-XURbt2OHjVUkaEMj6JknftaZv1IXOhn5S7ob_J0_CfCxhtMV4HV97MgaolFHvt2C8TbUtLKvWSFyxPgIrbr_8V7XBiNSj94ItZ1I/s4032/2023-10-08%2006.35.57-1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 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/AVvXsEgz69vIM3EjrROKfMI0k7uasBaMNRGV0tQM9RDmYyftGmCCisi-XPPlxia8PH_Q9ep1Q9MDaSQmNyMu8VtvWdsdLv-XURbt2OHjVUkaEMj6JknftaZv1IXOhn5S7ob_J0_CfCxhtMV4HV97MgaolFHvt2C8TbUtLKvWSFyxPgIrbr_8V7XBiNSj94ItZ1I/w240-h320/2023-10-08%2006.35.57-1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p>This past week I had 2
encounters that I think were sent by John. <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p>Last weekend, there
were guys staying at the VRBO next door. I was outside with Bella, in my bathrobe
and trying to be inconspicuous. The guys [there were 3 of them] were on their
deck watching the beautiful sunrise. Suddenly, one of them looked over and waved
to me and yelled "Good morning, Babe!". A little inappropriate but funny. I
waved back. Then I realized it was something John would have said to me. <br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Then a few days later, I drove to the store in Scottsdale where I buy Bella's food. As I was getting out of the car a
stranger, a guy, passed my car and said something to me I didn’t quite hear. I
normally don’t interact with strangers, but I looked at him and he looked nice,
with a big smile. Young. Good looking. Seemed harmless. So, I asked him what he
had said. He told me I looked like “a strong, take-charge woman”. I thanked
him. And then he just walked away. It was a strange thing for him to say but something I needed to hear.
I had just come from the bank where I had arranged to move some money around to safeguard some investments. I was worried if I was doing the right thing. <br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Coincidentally, the CD I had purchased matures on John's birthday. </p><p class="MsoNormal">I think I'm seeing a pattern here. Not all signs are huge. They're not all white feathers and heart-shaped stones. Sometimes, our loved ones inspire a person to say something to us that is just the thing we need to hear at just the right moment. </p><p class="MsoNormal">So, I smiled a lot recently. I felt John with me. </p><p class="MsoNormal">And I'm very very grateful.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Namaste.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br />Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-54293400104778989552023-08-28T07:52:00.001-07:002023-08-28T07:52:32.035-07:00Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsbBZcgYmL-WL4JguH3aabzLZMdvaucayverIRSKj2XGt7QnTgIF0punwcnoebDp2V6JyBZ9teTmkeB3GGBgeikYeS9HTjp_f-IZs6MLJbG41AcEy8Z0Dl5VSjQYnWZ9S8hFckOx0NGqAtTUuoSC6F8ULeix9hmi_Kx8pQTq3R9F0I8EGPbEOo7d-nq8/s815/FC5FF351-6144-46C4-87E2-CFBB4149FCBF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="724" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsbBZcgYmL-WL4JguH3aabzLZMdvaucayverIRSKj2XGt7QnTgIF0punwcnoebDp2V6JyBZ9teTmkeB3GGBgeikYeS9HTjp_f-IZs6MLJbG41AcEy8Z0Dl5VSjQYnWZ9S8hFckOx0NGqAtTUuoSC6F8ULeix9hmi_Kx8pQTq3R9F0I8EGPbEOo7d-nq8/w568-h640/FC5FF351-6144-46C4-87E2-CFBB4149FCBF.jpeg" width="568" /></a></div>42 years ago today was the happiest day ever!<p></p><p>I know you are celebrating with me even though you are no longer physically here. Death only changes location. Love never dies. </p><p>I love you, John. </p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-6006364757353182512023-08-21T16:11:00.001-07:002023-08-21T16:11:08.561-07:00Communication<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbVxv8SUjuAzn3keSRIkmuEijVQgWmrNHlCpoSUS3wyPn2SjYqCZgD257yubPjBJPKA_OUhHeyHHmrUAasD3o1F0_Qf7-s71VB-FwSsStYz3f1F86wYq6LyTYb2q6k22W4q6xd0W8qwCb7c2ChF2EOe0tryaS3xzr2PYRuwzThoCbZ566Nz2H8OE8HAI/s8268/communication.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5906" data-original-width="8268" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDbVxv8SUjuAzn3keSRIkmuEijVQgWmrNHlCpoSUS3wyPn2SjYqCZgD257yubPjBJPKA_OUhHeyHHmrUAasD3o1F0_Qf7-s71VB-FwSsStYz3f1F86wYq6LyTYb2q6k22W4q6xd0W8qwCb7c2ChF2EOe0tryaS3xzr2PYRuwzThoCbZ566Nz2H8OE8HAI/w640-h458/communication.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We just have to be open to hearing the message.<p></p><p>Case in point:</p><p>I have been having trouble sleeping lately. Getting to sleep is easy. Staying asleep, not so much. Last Saturday morning I woke up around 2:30 AM and instead of going back to sleep, I worried about a household problem. I thought I had come up with a solution but then I worried that maybe THAT was not what I should be doing. And so I started doubting my decision. Then I looked over at the bedroom door leading to our deck and noticed that the patio string lights were on. That was very strange. I hardly ever use them and I also always check to make sure all the deck lights are off before I go to bed. Even more strange - the ONLY way to turn the patio string lights on is with a remote control. That remote was sitting in a cup, on a table, ON THE DECK.</p><p>I literally had to get up, go out on the deck, fish out the remote and turn the lights off.</p><p>I truly think John was telling me he agreed with my solution and that I should stop worrying and second guessing myself. There can be no other explanation.</p><p>Thank you, Sweetheart.</p><p>Namaste.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-19625275137833475872023-05-24T06:33:00.002-07:002023-05-24T06:33:28.763-07:00Missing you so much<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66pSqqGB3Q0MtMoBJDxIWk7t2FunKPHS-2xcaxMMhr2c_KCKPgg8j5LiSx241lC4QMAU6zy5mz-12yqYh5rGFr0CNIAx_EKN110wSc6UPELk0YSm2GqtOy_migAWP3PMWCgTASm0_IBh-wogqU21GWjyWo974OR-zO6JVJGLc1wwWyJlPWPnWYRMQ/s3888/IMG_4229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh66pSqqGB3Q0MtMoBJDxIWk7t2FunKPHS-2xcaxMMhr2c_KCKPgg8j5LiSx241lC4QMAU6zy5mz-12yqYh5rGFr0CNIAx_EKN110wSc6UPELk0YSm2GqtOy_migAWP3PMWCgTASm0_IBh-wogqU21GWjyWo974OR-zO6JVJGLc1wwWyJlPWPnWYRMQ/w640-h426/IMG_4229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />13 years ago today you left for Heavenly Home. Some days, it feels like just yesterday.<br /><p></p><p></p><p>I miss you so much, John.</p><p>But I know our love continues and I can't wait until we are together again.</p><p>♥ <br /></p><p><br /><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-66901761979300263692023-05-19T06:51:00.002-07:002023-05-19T06:51:36.301-07:00This is grief<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iPU3nIeZfp0MqeO9rwlvHsGcoQCFMluiF1rwyn078UvjgQzUH_46wUlVZ0iEArZ6sT6a7HY29h9IUTKMf-C2jofhiGsEn0zkzgR9Yjjw9yH_r3Icp1HyCgbEVwTQjJRUebBqie1uonfkidEGlema_39vR_eNMqU2MxtNtz6Fe8fG0rVUY4EssqvB/s3888/some%20things.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iPU3nIeZfp0MqeO9rwlvHsGcoQCFMluiF1rwyn078UvjgQzUH_46wUlVZ0iEArZ6sT6a7HY29h9IUTKMf-C2jofhiGsEn0zkzgR9Yjjw9yH_r3Icp1HyCgbEVwTQjJRUebBqie1uonfkidEGlema_39vR_eNMqU2MxtNtz6Fe8fG0rVUY4EssqvB/w640-h426/some%20things.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-3338801155243170722023-05-14T06:17:00.003-07:002023-05-14T06:17:18.288-07:00Happy Mothers Day!<p>I am grateful for all the women who mothered me - my mother my own Mom, my godmother and aunt Aunt Mary, my grandmother Mema, and John's mother who I was lucky to call Mom, too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpEACn19VGEY_Grum5MXGjRcV6IhaZNftz1NMbfjLa_JxhtSRSqV0tmJLXwFQL9PYt8lKxEFFE5Wkb949sWIa-H_J6YdwjyV46lw-oKGRXv3sud1rVoZIlt9XfuXywGXpJayc5vr-s6Lsh1Y0mnNCApplwxyTSIiifLhNBkIhBmZpELjA4qGT5fu-/s2473/mothers%20day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2473" data-original-width="1726" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpEACn19VGEY_Grum5MXGjRcV6IhaZNftz1NMbfjLa_JxhtSRSqV0tmJLXwFQL9PYt8lKxEFFE5Wkb949sWIa-H_J6YdwjyV46lw-oKGRXv3sud1rVoZIlt9XfuXywGXpJayc5vr-s6Lsh1Y0mnNCApplwxyTSIiifLhNBkIhBmZpELjA4qGT5fu-/w446-h640/mothers%20day.jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-21427346539593455932023-04-22T06:50:00.002-07:002023-04-22T06:50:26.027-07:00Mema<p>This week would have been my Grandmother's 121st birthday. She left this world almost 2 decades ago but I still miss her.</p><p>We called her Mema. I take credit for christening her with that name. I was the first grandchild and my baby brain could not form Grandma. So she became Mema and it stuck for all eternity. All 6 grandchildren called her Mema. <br /></p><p>She was a brave woman - she emigrated to this country by ship at the young age of 17. Married, worked most of her life as a great seamstress. She was ahead of her time. Her husband was very ill and hospitalized for many years before he died so she raised her children alone. She lived through 2 world wars, and the Great Depression. I never fully appreciated her when she was alive but I am proud that her blood runs through my veins. I have been told I resemble her, in more ways than one.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE2YHFANiOg-wY4Wn5mgA9ZzSinw1Dk-F9Ct9TE2s1rq30zvnu5X4L_svRp5ok5m3VEWYJi4twVJOu8w0_TnkS6_U37ZOp00liwOg1ce7voFihJbQtqa6rAnMzpn9k6oCWxSVGn9J2pvtQkrgmj5baASeH8SF4jd8-ij02bRrTl0G6MXBu5Ezafd5/s2795/mema%20and%20kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2795" data-original-width="1728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVE2YHFANiOg-wY4Wn5mgA9ZzSinw1Dk-F9Ct9TE2s1rq30zvnu5X4L_svRp5ok5m3VEWYJi4twVJOu8w0_TnkS6_U37ZOp00liwOg1ce7voFihJbQtqa6rAnMzpn9k6oCWxSVGn9J2pvtQkrgmj5baASeH8SF4jd8-ij02bRrTl0G6MXBu5Ezafd5/w248-h400/mema%20and%20kids.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbhHk8nM0X8nCPi-LSNDvXYkphvIj-8VUiOKIy8CsAkVWKE425O5wSk_6YozLrfi52VFPviO2dc-C6MHWCD_sYYHv4a5zI-i1JAcyBtSIo9R02FZVpv1nK5D_GJAFhzsVsDg-l1bkC8RyRjkSIK4Q4E5MDeMxBV0zeemJGh_XZr3ZqCgg2fijksWo/s1619/Mema%20and%20Dad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1619" data-original-width="1128" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbhHk8nM0X8nCPi-LSNDvXYkphvIj-8VUiOKIy8CsAkVWKE425O5wSk_6YozLrfi52VFPviO2dc-C6MHWCD_sYYHv4a5zI-i1JAcyBtSIo9R02FZVpv1nK5D_GJAFhzsVsDg-l1bkC8RyRjkSIK4Q4E5MDeMxBV0zeemJGh_XZr3ZqCgg2fijksWo/w279-h400/Mema%20and%20Dad.jpg" width="279" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-wMcvxiuTkZcEStxEgxMKr1kXlYRqN0hir-mlXKyejRcUJ3_4L5aWX6iys5EPg3EimTZQnkTSUrm8zVZAOq8NEIuTBvTyelLU2t_71s_Qk3kGiPSQ1GYbBzT9PLk4Z_qS8geLJ5TVcswebHdWZRSRlv4wdvSaY_37SZ_6bK20DBtn_JGwHLr9Smq/s2843/Mema.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2843" data-original-width="1992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-wMcvxiuTkZcEStxEgxMKr1kXlYRqN0hir-mlXKyejRcUJ3_4L5aWX6iys5EPg3EimTZQnkTSUrm8zVZAOq8NEIuTBvTyelLU2t_71s_Qk3kGiPSQ1GYbBzT9PLk4Z_qS8geLJ5TVcswebHdWZRSRlv4wdvSaY_37SZ_6bK20DBtn_JGwHLr9Smq/w280-h400/Mema.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-41623064851795213572023-04-13T17:52:00.003-07:002023-04-13T17:52:37.174-07:00Happy Birthday, John!<p>Today would have been John's 80th birthday.</p><p>Happy birthday, Sweetheart.</p><p>Loving you so much.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM73kB77OhAjQR3EsjAXqcM-BhoEv-U7gHDPH6kP22u3u5_PVC-eZjOWdQTz6BXnQZmdqh3X3YMqO5B8LNveZTfQ0jfxgMmHxrG8C_OPnzFO9X7M5T5iPMXXc3A-F62ktTHlEs5O2_d3cRMJafgKCoGURtgezkEyOtokwIC9Gi2DFrzzS-5fOoSnjH/s3500/50th%20birthday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="2200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM73kB77OhAjQR3EsjAXqcM-BhoEv-U7gHDPH6kP22u3u5_PVC-eZjOWdQTz6BXnQZmdqh3X3YMqO5B8LNveZTfQ0jfxgMmHxrG8C_OPnzFO9X7M5T5iPMXXc3A-F62ktTHlEs5O2_d3cRMJafgKCoGURtgezkEyOtokwIC9Gi2DFrzzS-5fOoSnjH/w251-h400/50th%20birthday.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeNrK4rxZB9XrxV8iKYRgLKKoHWsLhCO6lxsUe2LHSbMMdSKgog8xKJ55xKde2pTQpv5EUmMbj5I5d2lIEuqr3PZTsZ3N5R1qRQCdmZkYx_SB_XWomtLab543owKL362kxR2QLSnbM-uhdtsbkjsFzTVsbMPP8KkIfaBaHjW1alEaybuv4LXXenkf/s676/April%201978_2_edited2-denoise-denoise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="606" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFeNrK4rxZB9XrxV8iKYRgLKKoHWsLhCO6lxsUe2LHSbMMdSKgog8xKJ55xKde2pTQpv5EUmMbj5I5d2lIEuqr3PZTsZ3N5R1qRQCdmZkYx_SB_XWomtLab543owKL362kxR2QLSnbM-uhdtsbkjsFzTVsbMPP8KkIfaBaHjW1alEaybuv4LXXenkf/w359-h400/April%201978_2_edited2-denoise-denoise.jpg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9jk441rn1xSSgGnP1mm9djl2klSZMHvW2Ynjrl3NbQnMgx3PwDnbp98qTt0a8zgtUeRfl_MxRVs82_1mHTQEAH_PeM3si-o7dal260LssdqZZp6D2ShKJd49gxa_Ct039nk8nS1M2N8DrBSwLdakwVjXxb95fIlcQrDJi-3QzF0CY4Dtf4Rlty81/s766/birthday.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="766" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR9jk441rn1xSSgGnP1mm9djl2klSZMHvW2Ynjrl3NbQnMgx3PwDnbp98qTt0a8zgtUeRfl_MxRVs82_1mHTQEAH_PeM3si-o7dal260LssdqZZp6D2ShKJd49gxa_Ct039nk8nS1M2N8DrBSwLdakwVjXxb95fIlcQrDJi-3QzF0CY4Dtf4Rlty81/w384-h400/birthday.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-89810296480189952072023-03-19T15:28:00.002-07:002023-03-19T15:28:37.366-07:00Happy Church Wedding Anniversary, Sweetheart!<p>John and I eloped in 1981. On this date, in 1988, we were married in the Catholic Church.</p><p>It was a beautiful day.</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/AVvXsEjPR0e4hmGiPhQhmYp_45MzdhVCuOSAxTmEdb5tL9XoK7OyuKZi0K19iyN3M_Ekcqe9BWoLi4xe5gTGBiL9uapGj5rOT7oiCkfYcX9TP8K3UFfC4c_DieZsh38IBvphxAqdHqRAhR6JX-WLMMzKzM40hPxWesPVPx6mAE9aZY50bcv4yA0USUhU3QUS/s2890/vows%20-%20Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2890" data-original-width="2267" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPR0e4hmGiPhQhmYp_45MzdhVCuOSAxTmEdb5tL9XoK7OyuKZi0K19iyN3M_Ekcqe9BWoLi4xe5gTGBiL9uapGj5rOT7oiCkfYcX9TP8K3UFfC4c_DieZsh38IBvphxAqdHqRAhR6JX-WLMMzKzM40hPxWesPVPx6mAE9aZY50bcv4yA0USUhU3QUS/s320/vows%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ENewPMwffY4hwIuB3EjmuTj5La1b9NANbPWilG_7-rWcXZyy5N_qgZu-6O8ITdt3stA-UnmjTMz4-PqfW3DyTLUl4C6aOgWIAKpTIUYmKd5b2gofpKqHqUR1msCmcg81PxPeTWpqyURGQhUfKeL2TBD9QUNMNUP5pOZU5-z_H_svP4sWPIFCupmS/s2826/kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2826" data-original-width="2297" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ENewPMwffY4hwIuB3EjmuTj5La1b9NANbPWilG_7-rWcXZyy5N_qgZu-6O8ITdt3stA-UnmjTMz4-PqfW3DyTLUl4C6aOgWIAKpTIUYmKd5b2gofpKqHqUR1msCmcg81PxPeTWpqyURGQhUfKeL2TBD9QUNMNUP5pOZU5-z_H_svP4sWPIFCupmS/s320/kiss.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmtjyq1nssW6pNWnuJjHHCpni-Q4tJcNJGDKRGsvMJqTy8vB3oGFazcRkMrg_l5u2BoB2MU8PmAY1nVhOOMAvjP2-lzhPY8Ox4j1tKgbSpW11rz7b4xzwkQmoR-0dmFGzARj-sNg6svX2JJsDsmmJDh9Y5zdushSC4Cai3dHbhl13U72uSUgZpyeg/s1833/cutting%20cake%20edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="1396" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsmtjyq1nssW6pNWnuJjHHCpni-Q4tJcNJGDKRGsvMJqTy8vB3oGFazcRkMrg_l5u2BoB2MU8PmAY1nVhOOMAvjP2-lzhPY8Ox4j1tKgbSpW11rz7b4xzwkQmoR-0dmFGzARj-sNg6svX2JJsDsmmJDh9Y5zdushSC4Cai3dHbhl13U72uSUgZpyeg/s320/cutting%20cake%20edited.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><br />Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-79585905980043734242023-03-17T07:08:00.003-07:002023-03-17T11:31:22.671-07:00Happy First Date Anninversary, Sweetheart!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7M6VLYGeIMK4zoFLv4cx94XJtiMXNnvC3YRyrDkHaVYuR1J9oe6Yj5s5rkinN7lkAvUh1JmvyoKt6_P9anArCt5r5F9BJ-iujbjR27PB9kRpZMTgXFSrBAsgT7TFRDDUKuD0FkJ4ra_wyjahWaMmaXh326fO_9C0DAYHstYjomX_94LTvcS9BqHu/s631/John%20St%20Patricks%20Day%20overlay-denoise-standard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="631" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7M6VLYGeIMK4zoFLv4cx94XJtiMXNnvC3YRyrDkHaVYuR1J9oe6Yj5s5rkinN7lkAvUh1JmvyoKt6_P9anArCt5r5F9BJ-iujbjR27PB9kRpZMTgXFSrBAsgT7TFRDDUKuD0FkJ4ra_wyjahWaMmaXh326fO_9C0DAYHstYjomX_94LTvcS9BqHu/w400-h399/John%20St%20Patricks%20Day%20overlay-denoise-standard.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>45 years ago today, we had our first date. The first of many many wonderful days.</p><p>We drank green beer and painted shamrocks on our cheeks and put sparkles in the paint. To this day, one of the ways that John sends me a sign is to send me sparkles ♥</p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-34138233496928776042023-03-15T20:58:00.002-07:002023-03-15T20:58:31.625-07:00Happy Bunkie Day, Sweetheart!<p> 43 years ago today. ♥</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy7pi2HtFF63_OWU2WRyfI_6Eo4s7Nkw8wtUEopLiq0C6uO4solJhm3FG-A4k49OeBX9fb0X_ohaOAP72-hw-CZ46DqvVPS8OBHMbu1ZCTcfB5mWg5AyTZbClE4PSCi-TQZ67mdfV6-5azU7Q_TNc6Iqc1p07prZBfC9VVRIzoEDtyHmfxLHnQ996/s730/Bunkie%20Day%20edited-3-denoise-denoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="575" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy7pi2HtFF63_OWU2WRyfI_6Eo4s7Nkw8wtUEopLiq0C6uO4solJhm3FG-A4k49OeBX9fb0X_ohaOAP72-hw-CZ46DqvVPS8OBHMbu1ZCTcfB5mWg5AyTZbClE4PSCi-TQZ67mdfV6-5azU7Q_TNc6Iqc1p07prZBfC9VVRIzoEDtyHmfxLHnQ996/w315-h400/Bunkie%20Day%20edited-3-denoise-denoise.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-80675422739378671472023-02-28T13:21:00.000-08:002023-02-28T13:21:53.927-08:00John's clothes have left the building<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Threads of Miami Valley - Clothing Outreach Dayton Ohio" class="rg_i Q4LuWd" data-ils="4" height="293" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4HhFDzgMy67dV2HnFD2-qELjx6iNlpR5ZdA&usqp=CAU" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><p>It's taken me a while to be able to part with them, but today I donated most of John's clothes to a homeless shelter. I know some widows and widowers donate soon after their spouse has died but I just couldn't. I kept moving John's clothes further and further into the back of the closet but it took me years to be able to pack them up and decide to give them away. As I have said over and over, there is no timeline for grief and no hard and fast rules on when we "should" do anything.<br /></p><p>It was very hard for me to part with those clothes. Not for any reason except that they were a tangible connection to John. But I know in my heart I don't need those things to be connected to him. I am always connected to him. Our love does that.</p><p>And I know John was happy and approving of what I did because on the way home I glanced over to the passenger seat in my car and saw 3 sparkles on the seat. John often sends me sparkles for various reasons. Today he was saying "Good job! Thank you."</p><p>Namaste. <br /></p><p> </p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-86442693334695482312023-02-14T06:55:00.003-08:002023-02-14T06:55:55.920-08:00Happy Valentine's Day, Sweetheart!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo-h2AuT74ItVbqqXpRn1iozIO5Cah9cbIAwakvhplhIT5UqaIZllbaBqihCZnbzthIbxdPZ1J60gFZimXJc030RsG-yvmKdzGXL629RseBI7W3EYBt3i2Cz9vcsTVHoojWsC-WkggiM-QWG0IkJq70ashDqRjOsGejBWD_wNCwHuSWQevc_zVWre/s485/John%20smile%204.07%20w.hearts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZo-h2AuT74ItVbqqXpRn1iozIO5Cah9cbIAwakvhplhIT5UqaIZllbaBqihCZnbzthIbxdPZ1J60gFZimXJc030RsG-yvmKdzGXL629RseBI7W3EYBt3i2Cz9vcsTVHoojWsC-WkggiM-QWG0IkJq70ashDqRjOsGejBWD_wNCwHuSWQevc_zVWre/w490-h640/John%20smile%204.07%20w.hearts.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>You will always be my Valentine.<p></p><p>I love you, now and forever.<br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-20502716086134047102023-02-03T05:39:00.005-08:002023-03-15T21:00:17.255-07:00Grief depletes your battery <p style="text-align: center;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ7EG-vCNUgf1vOxlDw5vKX7vulB26z1s8WTDuUM9m200vyqh6vnJUS5LkpuIGsfYVJEuANPfA72h6icUnm2w6Tnj-BaIkRjyq1QjDhGmL5ZzxQry-93SW-jLxf3wZwKEG3wM-tQduECjeKui3lJfKw-MHga_uV9w7uj7QXBGmNpmLpKTMxEOOBCK-" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ7EG-vCNUgf1vOxlDw5vKX7vulB26z1s8WTDuUM9m200vyqh6vnJUS5LkpuIGsfYVJEuANPfA72h6icUnm2w6Tnj-BaIkRjyq1QjDhGmL5ZzxQry-93SW-jLxf3wZwKEG3wM-tQduECjeKui3lJfKw-MHga_uV9w7uj7QXBGmNpmLpKTMxEOOBCK-" width="180" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-weight: normal;"><br /><span style="text-align: left;">I picked up my e-reader recently, intending
to read a book I had just purchased and downloaded, only to see a notice
when I opened it:</span></span><p></p>
<p><i>Your battery is very low. To continue using the device,
please plug into a power source.</i></p><p></p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">So I grabbed the power cord, plugged
it in, and a few hours later I was back in business.</p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">If only life were that simple.</p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Grief depletes our battery too. </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">"<i>...Consider this - the shock
of grief is real - physically real. When this stress occurs, the hormone
cortisol is released by the body. Cortisol is referred to as the “stress
hormone”. It ramps up your body for protection – for early man, this was to
fight off predators. Now you are fighting the predator of grief. So, your heart
rate increases, your blood pressure goes up, your nervous system kicks into
high gear. No wonder you feel so bad. If this goes on for a long period, as in
prolonged intense grief, your body will start to show the effects – disrupted
sleep patterns, poor appetite, irritability, fluctuating blood glucose levels,
stress on inner organs and blood vessels, even a weakened immune system."</i>
*</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">But we don't get handy warning signs
telling us to recharge our body, our mind, our heart.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Instead, we usually plod onward, our
physical and emotional reserves getting lower and lower until we start
manifesting symptoms of real trouble - heart attacks, GI upset, accidents, poor
work performance, relationship issues - the list goes on and on.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">What can we do?</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">First of all, recognize that grief
will do this to you. It's not a sign of weakness. Grief is real. Its symptoms
are real.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Then, take steps to help yourself.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Take a walk.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Exercise.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Meditate.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Join a support group.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Be with friends.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Be alone.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Cry.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Pet your cat.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">See a therapist.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">The point is to do whatever feels good
to you so that you can recharge your personal battery. There is no right or
wrong answer. And the answer will be different for each one of us because we
are all different, experiencing this thing called grief in our own way.</p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Just recognize that this is happening,
and you are not going crazy and it will get better. </p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">But in the meantime, don't let your
battery run all the way down. The more you deplete it, the longer it will take
to recharge. </p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p><p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;">Namaste. <br /></p>
<p align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: 8.0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: 0in; text-align: left;"> </p>
<span color="windowtext" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Excerpt
from <i>I Will Never Leave You; a soul mate’s promise </i>by Joy Collins</span><p></p><p></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-23715455942138784072023-01-12T12:34:00.007-08:002023-02-03T19:39:19.840-08:00Sean<p>Our sweet boy Sean went over the Rainbow Bridge this morning.</p><p>He had not been feeling well since right before New Year's and we were working him up for probable liver cancer. He passed suddenly during the night last night.</p><p>He was the sweetest baby and gave such good cuddles. He will be missed by his brothers Riley and Chaz and his sister Bella. And of course by me. My heart is broken.</p><p>Rest easy, sweet boy. We will be together again. In the meantime, cuddle with Daddy on the Other Side.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVEfWFH8xw7vfD7E0kZRC0f0_M4PVZO8jEFDAyhJQvF7RmSnK-IHtheGEP7QXDNVQ5Fc1NqF69TbSudGKPnmg7EH4uUSTyDwB2rRL98VSGq8oarI1HbF1PbskcBhTvyxU6i5KTX16JnlKQSMaQ5hbv2bIsTH_DZ2gzx_I62Q3tcvMAyl2hHxIWqeN/s1440/2022-03-30%2015.23.30-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1440" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioVEfWFH8xw7vfD7E0kZRC0f0_M4PVZO8jEFDAyhJQvF7RmSnK-IHtheGEP7QXDNVQ5Fc1NqF69TbSudGKPnmg7EH4uUSTyDwB2rRL98VSGq8oarI1HbF1PbskcBhTvyxU6i5KTX16JnlKQSMaQ5hbv2bIsTH_DZ2gzx_I62Q3tcvMAyl2hHxIWqeN/w640-h428/2022-03-30%2015.23.30-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sean Patrick Collins 2012 - 2023<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7VEsBZTcpoLCOhJGBF8X0xP40nle8sr-J1oos5ZhTPdUI7XyCEMrCGHqaXRJ7SBOQmW9o55ZuNRbMP1ztPVDsQMoQrXzprGIr8uoAVofYY0M4A4ERoWHVr3-6Luw1zDFqw_JSQru5SbFCn7K1lMm2gaqY6mHySs83NZ9JbH90uSr5dpC1d9gus1P/s3888/IMG_6636.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo7VEsBZTcpoLCOhJGBF8X0xP40nle8sr-J1oos5ZhTPdUI7XyCEMrCGHqaXRJ7SBOQmW9o55ZuNRbMP1ztPVDsQMoQrXzprGIr8uoAVofYY0M4A4ERoWHVr3-6Luw1zDFqw_JSQru5SbFCn7K1lMm2gaqY6mHySs83NZ9JbH90uSr5dpC1d9gus1P/w400-h266/IMG_6636.JPG" width="400" /></a><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/AVvXsEiFv8i6Mkvn68L53UhqK4PJXp4q-ZBmPDcCvEDbRQ4oTKluEeoai37Q4YMJFs_X70zQSELGDm8Z34pAxsJoup2TsiqxVtFaRIKOWVpOPbjNaR-le4n9V4RauYvzUdHjijp5HRV_5PRcG_ZwGjWLbVpQ0EdijoZwe9nWhedVUSWdFieGyWkEX2Q3XLkH/s3888/IMG_6922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="3888" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFv8i6Mkvn68L53UhqK4PJXp4q-ZBmPDcCvEDbRQ4oTKluEeoai37Q4YMJFs_X70zQSELGDm8Z34pAxsJoup2TsiqxVtFaRIKOWVpOPbjNaR-le4n9V4RauYvzUdHjijp5HRV_5PRcG_ZwGjWLbVpQ0EdijoZwe9nWhedVUSWdFieGyWkEX2Q3XLkH/w400-h266/IMG_6922.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4J3bOkqCLvEiTpeVrCEDps6YPjFvCbEjJajhYJVVJnFCybAJvugX-2Hfbf3D5Y_97df4IBNoN7nv9evBm0KDbPAcbBgi-nK71Sb7jbfTjgDAnvulpNF1mermCWXNEwPYe9pqBscThzGyNY9hJcy9ZxG6yUbYNjcZlAgbnS6eQgcnXEJ7Hsf6J1_9/s600/Sean.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4J3bOkqCLvEiTpeVrCEDps6YPjFvCbEjJajhYJVVJnFCybAJvugX-2Hfbf3D5Y_97df4IBNoN7nv9evBm0KDbPAcbBgi-nK71Sb7jbfTjgDAnvulpNF1mermCWXNEwPYe9pqBscThzGyNY9hJcy9ZxG6yUbYNjcZlAgbnS6eQgcnXEJ7Hsf6J1_9/w400-h266/Sean.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-44721406600837441622022-12-25T19:01:00.001-08:002022-12-25T19:01:53.572-08:00The wonderful memories of Christmases past<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPLvx0rceLHLROFQj4my0VfICCoWkErY0CXelllp4sZk8OSRoEViHHHVSNHv2FEO4EDhQG5Vfemx4Bi6aWRzhEYUQgRRFGEqxnJS2WSORzE-VuC9O5UShfMAIUxktzjHJeTvXH6wd3hbwN42GLdqfn28DqgIjOBPIgPC3S_V32UsQ18e72Ls4h6mq/s1008/John%20Christmas%201979%20new%20watch-denoise-denoise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="976" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPLvx0rceLHLROFQj4my0VfICCoWkErY0CXelllp4sZk8OSRoEViHHHVSNHv2FEO4EDhQG5Vfemx4Bi6aWRzhEYUQgRRFGEqxnJS2WSORzE-VuC9O5UShfMAIUxktzjHJeTvXH6wd3hbwN42GLdqfn28DqgIjOBPIgPC3S_V32UsQ18e72Ls4h6mq/s320/John%20Christmas%201979%20new%20watch-denoise-denoise.jpg" width="310" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCPHYSM2YVAga8ZWtYOV68zuL2JyXz1-54eAtj226Ahkb_JhGjcssKJOhGyU_oBiDl3XHBGOm7NrspuqfOb1qzz_-Ks-O12wU77VDkCQQZwHv11CFEtVQ8SaaN8LgJsORz6KbmT1ZDa6-AASN2dqNjjOSuCp7AKix6JwUQd7L3NQQCmd2UdhAiEk6/s981/John_Christmas%201991_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="981" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipCPHYSM2YVAga8ZWtYOV68zuL2JyXz1-54eAtj226Ahkb_JhGjcssKJOhGyU_oBiDl3XHBGOm7NrspuqfOb1qzz_-Ks-O12wU77VDkCQQZwHv11CFEtVQ8SaaN8LgJsORz6KbmT1ZDa6-AASN2dqNjjOSuCp7AKix6JwUQd7L3NQQCmd2UdhAiEk6/s320/John_Christmas%201991_edited.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxoBDUtQ4q5BKHqm4qJHbTRve9McoewZS_uBX8ZE_i4IpCinKka7-CMc0kFoEJ71khUSGfXMT1tq5hUwymRjPLplGN9gUrzsv07vw39hvSnHGOE77wk2fPQaVxByJWFXO4QFrvqW3ytgHdW_MF-O-wbRGQ9flDn6ScCWqfCiVZIL8O9L5UTaMoc4M/s1457/John_Us_Christmas%201987_edited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1457" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxoBDUtQ4q5BKHqm4qJHbTRve9McoewZS_uBX8ZE_i4IpCinKka7-CMc0kFoEJ71khUSGfXMT1tq5hUwymRjPLplGN9gUrzsv07vw39hvSnHGOE77wk2fPQaVxByJWFXO4QFrvqW3ytgHdW_MF-O-wbRGQ9flDn6ScCWqfCiVZIL8O9L5UTaMoc4M/s320/John_Us_Christmas%201987_edited.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitmnWE8xnoV6qGQKEIt1ZJUXA-WlIuZgBXt32B92pVLayWXqPYFBoBgwv6zOxQxWnrDhhhZfIzXsamJA-1Yj2_l7ksV3O69nFy4WAaG3cblnYWSnUd9HQQhyhGNws2uKqRFatpdh21xy9e_4SkfNk54SqufSE000ncz_-f_lGJO7w4BuIJidAkcGe/s579/us_Christmas%202001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="579" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitmnWE8xnoV6qGQKEIt1ZJUXA-WlIuZgBXt32B92pVLayWXqPYFBoBgwv6zOxQxWnrDhhhZfIzXsamJA-1Yj2_l7ksV3O69nFy4WAaG3cblnYWSnUd9HQQhyhGNws2uKqRFatpdh21xy9e_4SkfNk54SqufSE000ncz_-f_lGJO7w4BuIJidAkcGe/s320/us_Christmas%202001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-30208517765818947002022-12-01T05:11:00.002-08:002023-02-03T19:39:38.524-08:00<p>10 years ago yesterday. Still miss you so much, Mom.</p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQOg335LWOrhiR2OTuNPA9qbo8TmLQnX-9AgyOwdyC-BnvjRJiCXP_xqJCZQzmssuXgjX8iKxghnd-7iVFkWPKWbrOKz6VoVXx18_QAUHh67BSJXylBBzH6N6AhQ_Tjn0alAu9m_LKIl8NQen0qIQ4HiAwE6dvktSw7hw8aoj670mZzJ10tljFa_I/s207/d04df5af-477f-48fe-ae5c-cdcf14a407fa.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="207" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQOg335LWOrhiR2OTuNPA9qbo8TmLQnX-9AgyOwdyC-BnvjRJiCXP_xqJCZQzmssuXgjX8iKxghnd-7iVFkWPKWbrOKz6VoVXx18_QAUHh67BSJXylBBzH6N6AhQ_Tjn0alAu9m_LKIl8NQen0qIQ4HiAwE6dvktSw7hw8aoj670mZzJ10tljFa_I/s1600/d04df5af-477f-48fe-ae5c-cdcf14a407fa.webp" width="207" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j2fgyfNv2rghpVnwghV97kQAuyXDH-wJQb0OlXxDnHD5ukrBUQSfLIY1qqP4tKXO8-zJHbTorXEHEK3ynP-5-1Uxv3sF6rOp-wV0wmEV_MR8GxDs7Mmsf3lm_LNCPwMXNgeqfhtmwa1NPH3wqtO-NnvRzqLQr5vUhjVhCg3Y-AYoeqTHoLi0tfBT/s640/Frances%2029%20years%20old.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="525" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9j2fgyfNv2rghpVnwghV97kQAuyXDH-wJQb0OlXxDnHD5ukrBUQSfLIY1qqP4tKXO8-zJHbTorXEHEK3ynP-5-1Uxv3sF6rOp-wV0wmEV_MR8GxDs7Mmsf3lm_LNCPwMXNgeqfhtmwa1NPH3wqtO-NnvRzqLQr5vUhjVhCg3Y-AYoeqTHoLi0tfBT/s320/Frances%2029%20years%20old.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXSF80fvZOjyNXevoksnA5XraM7LXsn6JEgUIGcn_duOpSc0V-IvDf8QQ9U259QkAnasfpKWXW6Ufzhh1_x4f3Xa473x7Yl1iFALqudMmdwrgrBZXFPZXpVCs96SdprsLV2tKHrJFY9gS-WPD0da9iazFhllPx5Ip3E5oLrfvg5WmJ6DhGYzAJaBw/s640/DSC00202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXSF80fvZOjyNXevoksnA5XraM7LXsn6JEgUIGcn_duOpSc0V-IvDf8QQ9U259QkAnasfpKWXW6Ufzhh1_x4f3Xa473x7Yl1iFALqudMmdwrgrBZXFPZXpVCs96SdprsLV2tKHrJFY9gS-WPD0da9iazFhllPx5Ip3E5oLrfvg5WmJ6DhGYzAJaBw/s320/DSC00202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Frances Myers Collins, 89 years old, passed away on November 30, 2012 in
Scottsdale Arizona. Services will be on December 14, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
in the chapel at Fairview-Maple Grove Cemetery, with Reverend Roy Spore
of Waples Memorial United Methodist Church officiating. <br /> There will be visitation at the Waples Memorial United Methodist Church afterwards. <br /> Frances was born on February 22, 1923 in Dayton, Ohio but was raised in San Antonio, Texas. She was one of six siblings. <br />
She married John Cagle Collins on April 21, 1941. The family moved to
New York soon after the birth of their first child John in 1943. <br /> Frances
always had a strong love of music. She performed in recitals while
still in high school, winning awards. Later, she and her husband sang
professionally as the Collins Duo, performing many classical music
concerts for more than twenty years in the Northeast. <br /> John and
Frances retired to Denison, Texas in 1983. Frances continued with her
love of music, singing in her Church choir and performing at civic
functions with John. She volunteered at Texoma Medical Center for over
25 years, at one time holding the title of President of the Auxiliary. <br />
When her health
started to fail she moved to Arizona in 2010. Frances was preceded in death by her husband, John and their two sons,
John and David, her four brothers and her sister. She is survived by her
daughter-in-law, Joy Collins, several grandnieces and grandnephews, and
many friends. <p></p><br />Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-56533849323310886012022-11-24T06:54:00.001-08:002022-11-24T06:55:13.364-08:00Thanksgiving memories<p>I am so grateful for all the wonderful memories I have of our life together.</p><p>32 years wasn't enough.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVWb-CFeN92I7hc3MUtxFWKUhevEubFVXxE4tZObyOWlOKbdP6wjDC2xDLQCN7KHCP5pQVQLp2Zr1Wo3JauEmgY0ayxM_XiNcwyrTnqwi5Avxdx0mnJcPawZGykPObADtt7g-U1z6ltVXnTIsk7mtxaUnBjRpa0ndiSmrwabkxtJWZAzIwKlzJfn/s3908/IMG_0208.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3333" data-original-width="3908" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZVWb-CFeN92I7hc3MUtxFWKUhevEubFVXxE4tZObyOWlOKbdP6wjDC2xDLQCN7KHCP5pQVQLp2Zr1Wo3JauEmgY0ayxM_XiNcwyrTnqwi5Avxdx0mnJcPawZGykPObADtt7g-U1z6ltVXnTIsk7mtxaUnBjRpa0ndiSmrwabkxtJWZAzIwKlzJfn/w640-h546/IMG_0208.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>1979 - my hair, John's beard. <p></p><p>Happy Thanksgiving, Sweetheart.<br /> </p><p><br /></p>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7037922900062283055.post-7154893461490749922022-11-14T07:49:00.000-08:002022-11-14T07:49:05.556-08:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpBqbhmUaUOU3tbZJYkndrPnPnVNgT7xXf93YmUVyI-2xRODL9G31rm_nsaEqCpyNLZSrxh6JqAapQr5VO76HAgtMDecoeTB6b0ekQFvsqL9fpfcA8-OUfTqRFmstSMwMKiUgBynQ5MjztCKKYTt9GeFbexxZBijdVgD5wE4AYxU6TWraVHWTy7M4/s4032/2022-09-15%2006.16.10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwpBqbhmUaUOU3tbZJYkndrPnPnVNgT7xXf93YmUVyI-2xRODL9G31rm_nsaEqCpyNLZSrxh6JqAapQr5VO76HAgtMDecoeTB6b0ekQFvsqL9fpfcA8-OUfTqRFmstSMwMKiUgBynQ5MjztCKKYTt9GeFbexxZBijdVgD5wE4AYxU6TWraVHWTy7M4/w640-h480/2022-09-15%2006.16.10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div dir="auto">I can’t say that you cross my mind,</div><div dir="auto">Because you never leave it.</div><div dir="auto">You’re miles away and it seems like worlds apart,</div><div dir="auto">And I miss you in waves-</div><div dir="auto">Tonight, I’m drowning.</div><div dir="auto">I miss the way you leave your scent on my clothes,</div><div dir="auto">So that I think of you whenever I just breathe.</div><div dir="auto">I miss the sound of your voice,</div><div dir="auto">A bittersweet symphony that leaves my soul empty,</div><div dir="auto">The sumptuous melody that reminds me that you’re with me.</div><div dir="auto">I miss your hugs,</div><div dir="auto">The warm embrace when our bodies mesh seamlessly together.</div><div dir="auto">Engulfing me whole as time itself seems to suspend,</div><div dir="auto">The wonderful cocoon of our love swirling around our hearts with powerful rapture.</div><div dir="auto">I miss your smile,</div><div dir="auto">How it brightens the room and stirs my spirit,</div><div dir="auto">As your eyes sparkle with your gorgeous happiness.</div><div dir="auto">More than anything, I miss the way I feel when we’re together,</div><div dir="auto">Like we can conquer the world, the wind at our backs,</div><div dir="auto">With limitless possibilities and open minds,</div><div dir="auto">I cherish every subtle nuance and beautiful thing that is you…</div><div dir="auto">You’re my favorite place to go when my thoughts wander,</div><div dir="auto">And as I miss you tonight more than ever,</div><div dir="auto">I can only look up at the glimmering stars and smile.</div><div dir="auto">I just miss you - I miss everything about you…</div><div dir="auto">You’re my waking wish on a shooting star,</div><div dir="auto">And I’m thankful every day for the gift that is you and the way you love me.</div><div dir="auto">I’ll count the days until you’re in my arms again,</div><div dir="auto">Until then,</div><div dir="auto">I’ll see you in my dreams.</div><div dir="auto"><br /></div><div dir="auto">Written by The Ravenwolf</div>Joy Collinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11420607137161293401noreply@blogger.com0