Dear grateful sea,
I am thinking of you on this Common prayer Tuesday
and Christmas Eve.
It was so kind of you to post a lovely picture of a candle
shining brightly when I was not writing in. I did see it and
appreciate your kindness in posting it for me.

I have been thinking about you, grateful sea, and your Dad and Mom.
This must be such a difficult time for you.
As I think of you and your parents I am sending my love.
You are so kind and loving to everyone.
I so wish things could be easier for you.
Remember this too will pass.
Remember there are many here who
love you and care deeply about you..
All my love, 💕
Mary

Dear Palm ,
It’s so wonderful to hear from you!
First I’d like to say that I fully believe that being a mom is a full time job.
Any wok you do outside the home is in addition to this.
But working part time as opposed to full time outside of the home may bring you some flexibility. Maybe you also feel less overwhelmed.
I know that I was feeling progressively more overwhelmed, and despite some confusion and a little guilt, working less is amazing.
I frequently can hardly believe I really pulled this off.
The flexibility is amazing, and I am enjoying the children so much more.
Losing the sense of being overwhelmed, has allowed me to be more relaxed at work. Amazing! Yay! I am still in the process of figuring out how I want to use my days off. I have to say-that is a good problem to have. It is really an opportunity.

Thank you for your love and blessings, dear Palm.
May your love and blessings be returned to you many times over.
Sending you my love,
Mary

Oh Diane, so sorry everyone got sick.
Hope your husband and son in law stay well.
I tend to be a worrier.
But I usually I find that I worry about the wrong thing.
If things go wrong it’s not the thing I was concerned about that goes wrong.
It’s something I didn’t even think of, and then again things are usually just fine.
Does this dissuade me from worrying?
Not completely, though I do worry less than I used to.
I was concerned about you overdoing it with entertaining and busyness.
I didn’t think to be concerned about everyone getting sick.
Did you?
So your evening together watching It’s a Wonderful Life sounds cozy.
I am a cryer too. I like a happy ending that makes me cry.
Yes, I always like happy endings.
I am hoping that you and your daughters are getting better
and hoping that you all had lots of time to be close (and awake)
even though you were sick.
Sending you warmth and healing and love,
Mary

Dear Carla,
I am so sorry to hear about your situation.
With relationships I always want to believe
that healing is possible, but I guess you have
thought this through many times.
I am so sorry for your heart ache.
I am wondering if you or she or both of you
are closed to the idea of reconciling.
Do you have a person you could talk to about this?
Do you have a spiritual/religious person or a therapist
you could speak to.?
Is there something you used to love to do and gotten away from doing?
Or maybe something you’ve wanted to try
but haven’t gotten around to trying?
I don’t know about you, but when I get very sad,
I have a hard time doing much of anything.
Have you been able to keep a normal schedule
or have you been isolating a bit?
These are just things that come to mind
as I reflect on your situation.
I will be thinking about you Carla
and sending my love your way.
Warmly,
Mary

This is my wish too Ose.
I am so happy you had the chance to be with your parents and sister at this time, and to have felt the love and closeness of your family. It warms my heart just thinking about this. I am also glad that your parents received good financial news.

I will join you tonight in lighting a candle to symbolize the light shining in your heart as well as the hearts of your Mom, Dad, and Sister.
I will include everyone from the Gratitude Lounge and their families as well as all others in this world and beyond. I will put it in your name.

Thank you Ose for sharing your experience with your family.
So much feeling and so much love. 💕💕
Mary