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Jessica Leigh Allen's avatar

I've been a stay-at-home mom for 18 years and 'bonded' with dozens of other SAHMs online; again and again I've taken on the emotional trials and tribulations of virtual strangers to the grave distress of my own well-being...only to recognize (sometimes immediately, sometimes down the road) I do not *really* know these people. It has become a burden more than a blessing and honestly, I've pulled away from growing 'close' to strangers -- in the news cycle and within blogging/social media communities. I am grieving the very real death of my father right now, so I am choosing to 'ignore' strangers' individual tragedies. I am however always, always persistent in my prayer(s) for the world as a whole -- for the earth + for humankind. ♡

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S.E. Reid's avatar

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Jessica. You're right; it can be such a difficult balancing act, trying to figure out where our grief should go, and I applaud your decision to focus on your own needs. You certainly deserve it.

My prayers are with you and your family. ♥️

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John E. Dobbs's avatar

So beautifully said. Thank you.

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Thank you for reading, John! 🌿

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Sara Em's avatar

When tragedy, distant or nearby, particularly strikes me, I’m often drawn to create. (I think you might resonate with this.) The smokey skies, pink light in my window, grey skies above gray buildings, drag my camera off its shelf and make me late for work. My challenge from there is what to do with what has been worked out in the glass of my lens, and I love the idea of it further drawing me to prayer.

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S.E. Reid's avatar

I definitely resonate with this.

Creativity helps to reframe the pain of distant tragedy, I find, and make it easier to process. 🌿

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DrTamara's avatar

I really appreciate your third option ! We may not realize how much we can contribute in a positive fashion , but the prayers have gone out! Thank you for loving others !!

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Thanks so much for reading and commenting! I really appreciate you being here. 🌿

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just mud by Ron's avatar

That's a great analogy. Smoke is an irritant to our breath, a message from someone, a call.

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Hannah's Signs of The Times's avatar

very interesting, nice... i do need nice, positive in its way texts ))))

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S. L. Linton's avatar

It seems like every day there is a new tragedy. I fear being overwhelmed by it all, so I say a prayer and then try to focus on my day and its immediate needs.

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S.E. Reid's avatar

Overwhelm is so easy these days, isn't it? It seems to take a real effort to step back and look at the whole picture... 🌿

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