tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569191640478740172024-03-05T08:43:45.027-08:00FEAR NOT THE DARKNESSBut what lies within
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.comBlogger249125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-18739028694415117262023-11-14T14:00:00.000-08:002023-11-14T14:00:36.650-08:00Not a fairytale<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Everyone girl
wants their life to be like a fairytale, so, the story goes, but life isn’t a
fairytale. Life is hard. Each day should be a new beginning a day of happiness
but you wake up late, you rush to get ready, your coffee is cold, you forgot
your packed lunch, you have five dollars left until Friday and its only Monday.
You go home eat some ramen, because that’s all the food that is left in the
cupboard. Your television is on the fritz, the password that your mom and dad
loaned you for Netflix is caput. It’s six o’clock, so dark you might as well go
to bed. I say my prayers for someone to share and change my life with, going to
sleep shortly afterwards.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">Awakening to an
alarm coughing, a cute fireman stands over me, placing oxygen over my face. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The fireman takes me outside.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> I worry that I forgot to check on my ninety year old neighbour, Howie before I went to sleep. I think I should ask Cal. I look over and he's been brought out by a fireman too.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Sandra?” Cal says.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Some fire,” I
comment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“I heard Howie,
left his stove on under a pot.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Is he okay? I forgot to check on him. Did you check on him?"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">"No, I went to conked out early, and didn't check on him; but the fireman says he's okay. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">We have to do better. we can't let the poor old guy suffer. He's always been good for us.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">"</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">I know; he gave me fifty bucks last month when I was short the rent last month."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"What a great guy he is."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"Don't get me wrong I paid him back last week."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I'm not surprised; you should have asked me though."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"I didn't ask he just tucked in a pocket."</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“We could fix all of this. I know this is
probably the wrong time; but I almost died will you go out with me? then maybe someday you could move in with me and we could share expenses and Howie.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">I needed a new
beginning maybe this was my chance I thought speaking to God I ask,</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;">“Where do you want
me?” of course I didn’t get a verbal answer but I answer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">“Yes, Cal, I
will.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A year later and were married. We bought a house and rented out a room with cooking services and laundry to Howie (since he refused to move in without paying us a nominal fee.) Cal and I take turns cooking and cleaning and Howie is excited since Cal and I have no family he's going to be a grandfather to our baby who will born in the new year. Life isn't a fairytale but sometimes if you grab it with both hands you can have a surprise or two that can make you smile.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 107%;"></span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Copyright
2023 © Sheilagh G. Lee<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><p></p>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-2801054094088659122021-12-21T09:20:00.003-08:002021-12-21T09:20:22.690-08:00Happy Winter Solstice<p> <span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy Winter Solstice -Stonehenge</span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had had always wanted to visit Stonehenge and then my
dream had come true, for I stood in the centre of Stonehenge at the dawn of
Winter Solstice . As the sun came up and shone on the stones,</span> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
felt one with the stones. The air around me whirled and I felt dizzy as the
world seemed to shift. Before my eyes, the stones shimmered and seemed to become
as new again.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The great warrior comes. See, I summoned him, sisters,”
I heard, but although I heard English, I knew it was in ancient dialect and not
truly in the words I heard. Before me stood three women their hair long and
luxurious, hanging down to their ankles. Each had a different hair colour, one
had fiery red hair ,one brown almost black and the other golden like the rays
of the sun. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He looks scrawny.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, far too skinny, young and has no muscles,”
commented the other. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I used the right spell. I know I did he will be able
to remove the sword,” she said pointing to a sword stuck in a huge stone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">An ancient legend tells of a sword and stone, but this
was something different. It had jewels encrusted on its tang. The blade what I
could see of it was topped with quillon (a circular part) and guard with a nice
grip. It was made of silver and bronze quite tarnished. The sword was quite
spectacular as it had jewels of ruby, emerald, and diamonds encrusted on its
handle and I felt the need to touch it; but I held myself back.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What is your name boy?” the brunette asked.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Arthur.” I answered.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good you have done well. He even has the right name,
Morgana.” The blonde commented.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There it is, boy. Get on with it.” said Morgana( the
redhead.)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I put my hand on the hilt and pulled with all my
might, but it wouldn’t budge. It was mired like quickstone, my knuckles and
hands grew scabbed and scarred trying to make it move.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’ve failed Morgana. You fool, he’s the wrong
Arthur. Send him back!” said the brunette.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I think he’s handsome, might we keep him?” asked the
blonde touching my shoulders.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you know the rules. We might borrow from time;
but they must all go back,” Morgana proclaimed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There was a flash of light and then I found myself on
the ground in the centre of Stonehenge.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“See here. you are trespassing.” said a voice over my
head. ”And now you’ve knocked some of the stones down on top of you. I should
arrest you; but looking at the scrape on your head, I’d say you’ve learned your
lesson. Do you want me to call an ambulance, sir?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, I’ll be fine.” I said holding my head and trying
to stem the bleeding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wondered if my head injury explained all of this and
reached in my pocket for a handkerchief. To my surprise I found a ruby from the
sword in my pocket .I smiled looking back at the stones, perhaps the ladies
would summon me again as long as I had the stone. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Blessed be!” I shouted as I left. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><i>©Sheilagh Lee December 21, 2021 included in Legends Folktales and other Stories</i></b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></span></p><span style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><p></p>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-89645417316023727092021-07-21T15:38:00.002-07:002021-07-21T15:38:17.714-07:00Hello Baby, I'm Your Big Sister-Now available #NewRelease #kindle #paperback <p> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">New Release Hello, Baby, I'm Your Big Sister</span></b></p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiube8j7gnsWMORs3T4dfRvHVsCKGWARH40AvXuTmWVlI7pktGAR3jMmFUTx1zLmNqoAIl7kdUINP4dOzrTp7WtcF17w3n9G0IusdVUv-GVghNAeRXp4BK1LhvvoMml5RsZ54g7ASqse0a/s2048/Slide1+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiube8j7gnsWMORs3T4dfRvHVsCKGWARH40AvXuTmWVlI7pktGAR3jMmFUTx1zLmNqoAIl7kdUINP4dOzrTp7WtcF17w3n9G0IusdVUv-GVghNAeRXp4BK1LhvvoMml5RsZ54g7ASqse0a/w441-h490/Slide1+%25284%2529.JPG" width="441" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span>A warm and Loving welcome to a new sibling.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: xx-large;">Available at Barnes and Noble, </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hello-baby-im-your-big-sister-s-g-lee/1139865392">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hello-baby-im-your-big-sister-s-g-lee/1139865392</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><span style="font-size: x-large;">Amazon </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://amzn.to/3kNY6DT" style="text-align: left;">https://amzn.to/3kNY6DT</a> </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"> and selected retailers near you.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><span><br /></span></div><span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></div></span><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-20408753363014855982021-05-03T12:43:00.005-07:002021-05-03T12:43:31.199-07:00May is my birthday month so you get presents #FREE #Kindle<p><i><span style="font-size: medium;"> May is my birthday month so from now until my birthday I will be releasing #free #kindle s for my readers so download and enjoy.</span></i></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The first May 4-6 is A Penny Saved A Murder Earned </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i><b>The Kelly's are
cursed or is it really a serial killer responsible for the deaths in "A Penny
Saved a murder Earned" </b></i><a href="https://amzn.to/339Wc6a"><i><b>https://amzn.to/339Wc6a</b></i></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The second ~<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Henrietta and the Donor Eggs from May 7 -May 10 #childrensbook #kindle </span></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Henrietta wants to be a mom and with a generous friend
maybe she can be <a href="https://amzn.to/2ZzxA3C">https://amzn.to/2ZzxA3C</a> #kindle #kindledeals #infertility #kindle</i></b></span><span style="font-size: 9pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">The Christmas Card May 11 -14 #Christmas #kindle</span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Grace
Philips receives a Christmas Card in error, (a seventy year old error) for the
Christmas Card is not for her. but for a Grace who lived in her apartment
seventy years ago. Grace attempts to find the woman and deliver the Christmas
love note which never reached the recipient and contains a proposal and a set
of wedding rings. This sets out a journey of love, romance, and surprises for
everyone involved. <o:p></o:p></span></b></i></span><a href="http://amzn.to/VMtFyB" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://amzn.to/VMtFyB</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 1;"><span style="color: #0f1111; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Jack be Nimble May 17 – May21 - #Detective #crimenoir #kindle</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Paranoia? Or
are the memories just too hard to reveal, even to Jack, himself? #JackBeNimble
<a href="http://amzn.to/1KDaPwp">http://amzn.to/1KDaPwp</a><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Murder Most Fowl May 22 -26 #shortstories #murder #kindle<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">An anthology
of stories filled with murder, to delight, captivate & caution you. <a href="http://amzn.to/2ozZJ83">http://amzn.to/2ozZJ83<o:p></o:p></a></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Dreams Can Kill May 27 – May 29 #mystery #thriller #suspence #kindle <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">4</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; line-height: 115%;">☆</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> book Amnesiac Sharron Alexander, suffering from
a head wound doesn't remember who to trust <a href="http://amzn.to/2bo0HAq">http://amzn.to/2bo0HAq</a> #kindle</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; background: yellow; font-size: 11pt;"></span></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i>Legends, Folktales and Other Stories May 29 -June 1 #folktales #legends #kindle</i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">A collection of legends, folktales myths and stories of fairies, goblins,
selkies& other creatures. #kindle #paperback </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fgd5qn"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;">http://amzn.to/2fgd5qn</span></a></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> </span></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span></b></span></p>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-75473723177340483322020-04-15T11:50:00.001-07:002020-04-15T11:50:29.214-07:00New Release ~ The Magical Life of Me #CHILDRENSBOOK #family #love #kindledeals #KindleBooks #smiles<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;">New release ~ The Magical Life of Me </span><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://t.co/WZe6yGFjLh?amp=1" rel=" noopener noreferrer" role="link" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank" title="http://amzn.to/2z2VLiv"><span aria-hidden="true" class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-hiw28u r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: inherit; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: inherit;">http://</span>amzn.to/2z2VLiv</a><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="http://amzn.to/2z2VLiv"><img alt="Image" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVqnEO5WkAErqRJ?format=png&name=small" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CHILDRENSBOOK?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#CHILDRENSBOOK</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/family?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#family</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/love?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#love</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/kindledeals?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#kindledeals</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KindleBooks?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; text-decoration-line: none; white-space: inherit;">#KindleBooks</a></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" style="background-color: #f5f8fa; border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #14171a; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span class="r-18u37iz" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: horizontal; background-color: #f5f8fa; color: #14171a; flex-direction: row; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a class="css-4rbku5 css-18t94o4 css-901oao css-16my406 r-1n1174f r-1loqt21 r-1qd0xha r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-1ny4l3l r-1ddef8g r-qvutc0" data-focusable="true" dir="ltr" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/smiles?src=hashtag_click" role="link" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px solid black; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1b95e0; cursor: pointer; display: inline; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3125; list-style: none; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; overflow-wrap: break-word; padding: 0px; text-align: inherit; white-space: inherit;">#smiles</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">Also temporarily available only in the U. S. in paperback due to COVID restrictions </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">LARGE Print </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1987977378?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860">https://www.amazon.com/dp/1987977378?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860</a>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-9669623036112295472020-03-27T14:34:00.002-07:002020-03-28T10:19:58.748-07:00 I am the face of the Immunosuppressed or the immunoverdrive <br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> I am the face of the Immunooverdrive<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">This is the picture I show the world </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_iIfF5zJh19WIYx2dx2tGXg3IUAGNbTwe7sRqxDjZoWwV2tPVY8cA9ld5gFcJWmhCY4oZZ9yhw0wRiwH6dZcoZbX6NaAw-2_JehuxzXcqxvlnAQPo5F7U3XetYyT9m9cTbQpOQxXe7VF/s1600/57592516380__F5FC29C7-50F8-4D04-8BDD-84544C6CD4A1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix_iIfF5zJh19WIYx2dx2tGXg3IUAGNbTwe7sRqxDjZoWwV2tPVY8cA9ld5gFcJWmhCY4oZZ9yhw0wRiwH6dZcoZbX6NaAw-2_JehuxzXcqxvlnAQPo5F7U3XetYyT9m9cTbQpOQxXe7VF/s320/57592516380__F5FC29C7-50F8-4D04-8BDD-84544C6CD4A1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">but this is how I look today </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJs4DmTUkYlcPWuH-LBkIhhX8o4u2m_0o_kKPt5wJN_zFpq3IRQrK0UNDQEhmNHk5mkNG5L2z9cszvYmLwmk_3kU9SPMg3Mqv8o1PwNKhs7eOuug-JYVHzlvzqol5-vzgIwSo9iXRqYjG/s1600/IMG-0569+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1203" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJs4DmTUkYlcPWuH-LBkIhhX8o4u2m_0o_kKPt5wJN_zFpq3IRQrK0UNDQEhmNHk5mkNG5L2z9cszvYmLwmk_3kU9SPMg3Mqv8o1PwNKhs7eOuug-JYVHzlvzqol5-vzgIwSo9iXRqYjG/s320/IMG-0569+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I think I look awful and normally wouldn't share this I'd slap on some make-up and try to look normal. Then try to angle the camera so I look better.</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"> Today I have a raging occurrence of my immune system disorder deciding as I call it to start the 'I hate you cycle'. So I'm taking immunosuppression drugs, My face is red and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">swollen I have the telltale rash all over my face. I am one of those people you are physically distancing for I have two autoimmune diseases, one which maybe lupus (not confirmed yet still testing for) This disease whatever it is causes health problems and makes me susceptible to diseases on top of my Fibromyalgia.I don’t like to talk about these because I don’t let them define me. I also had cancer of the thryroid which was successfully stopped. </span></div>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">For </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">those that have never heard of it Fibromyalgia is described as muscle pain,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">tenderness, and fatigue. A disorder that is usually accompanied by memory, </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">sleep, and mood issues. Researchers believe the condition arises from an</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">overactive nervous system, which amplifies painful sensations. The condition is difficult to diagnose as it is not identifiable by blood work, x-rays, orscans. So imagine having this disease not knowing what the heck is causing all</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">your problems and then being told it must be all in your head just because theydon’t know what the disease is. That’s what a lot of us have gone through over
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">the years and that’s partly why we stay silent and just try to live.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> I </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">believe </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I may have had</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">a mild form as early as</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">when I was eleven years old and that the more severe form didn’t make itself really known until I was nineteen. That said I still wasn't diagnosed until the doctors started talking about the condition when I was twenty-six. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Imagine </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">being a young girl and knowing that your life has changed that you’d never do </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">the things you could before like bike ride, running, skating and other things </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">you enjoyed and to replace all of those you have extreme pain , fatigue and a</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">foggy brain that sometimes makes you forget simple words when you’re speaking added to that there is no defintion of this disease and some doctors treat you badly insisting or implying you're faking. You’ve adjusted to that all that you</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">take rest when you can but like before you power through you marry, adjusting your life to raising children and enjoying your life as best you can and then you get something they don’t warn you about another type of illness to add to it; an autoimmune disease that gives you even more of the same effects you felt with fibromyalgia and added to it more swelling a feeling of nausea, headaches, and indigestion as well as a slew of allergies to things you were never allergic to before.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">If you’re </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">me you decide it’s not going to win and you work hard when you can, rest when </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">you can and keep close eye so you can get on top of an occurrence. You decide</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">you’re going to write books (you can do that despite your illness) and so you do, writing the books that have been waiting inside you for years reaching a publishing total of twenty six books since 2010. (I say none of this for sympathy or praise as I feel that's unneccessary we all have our own things we have to get through.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Then a pandemic starts happening in other countries and you watch nervously as it moves across the world. You sequester yourself in late February to protect yourself and warn your loved ones to follow the guidelines of social distancing (now known as(physical distancing), washing hands and hope that no one you know gets the disease since it’s now moving through generations. I have a grandchild, a wonderful supportive husband and two daughters and a son-in law, for their sakes and yours I’m begging you follow the rules from the medical experts maybe we can stop this disease from advancing and save lives. Your neighbour, your family member, your friends or maybe just someone like me that you’ve only known from the internet will get through this unscathed or at least alive.</span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">Thank you from ©Sheilagh Lee</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;"> </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: 700;">March 27, 2020</span></span></span></div>
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<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-30977176162225640792020-03-17T14:02:00.000-07:002020-03-28T10:58:09.055-07:00Bored in Self~isolation? #FreeEbooks Limited Time Only #selectdates check blog #kindle #kindledeals #enjoy<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; font-family: , , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "ubuntu" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 19px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #14171a; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Let's face it we've been in isolation, what a couple of days? Already we're bored; so break out that e-book reader and download these books of mine free on these dates .</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">The
Christmas Card~ <span style="color: red;">FREE ~</span>March 18 -22<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;">Grace
Philips receives a Christmas Card in error, (a seventy year old error) for the
Christmas Card is not for her. but for a Grace who lived in her apartment
seventy years ago. Grace attempts to find the woman and deliver the Christmas
love note which never reached the recipient and contains a proposal and a set
of wedding rings. This sets out a journey of love, romance, and surprises for
everyone involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Dreams Can
Kill</span>~</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> March 19 -23</span></div>
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she's been told; amnesiac Sharron must remember or she will learn
#DreamsCanKill</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Poetry in
Motion~A Forest of Feelings ~</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> March 20 - 22 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-Motion-Forest-Feelings-ebook/dp/B07VLTN14Z/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=forest+of+feelings+%2BS.G.Lee&qid=1584477847&s=digital-text&sr=1-1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHAnu0HkoiwrC9Mv2BF3JE-fdhN6nxxMDTgexye87vIALTSwyyiHHl_5sT4I1HXxrPSeymiWXwLCLy08Ox5llrkvoP8FLmzYSbjiNKoQbdIX38yOh9QjTX0CMvp6EVdjBd6foLJpgjThZs/s320/forest+of+feelings+%2560ebook+cover.JPG" width="213" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">A forest of feelings embracing joy, love,
passion, sadness, and political commentary, feelings of nature and personal
opinions</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">https://amzn.to/2ZAmTO</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">h</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Poetic
Touch - The Human Condition~</span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 20 - 24 </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">Poems of grief, philosophy, human emotion, and
humour to read and enjoy.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Penny Saved A Murder Earned~ </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 19- 23</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">A series of dead bodies, close to the Kelly's
heart, Could they be a stalker's love offerings and when will it stop? </span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Legends, Folktales and Other Stories~</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"> March 24 -28 #ebook</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;">A collection of legends, folktales myths and
stories of fairies, goblins, selkies& other creatures to scare you and delight you.</span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://amzn.to/2fgd5qn">http://amzn.to/2fgd5qn</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Stray Bullet ~</span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">FREE ~</span><span style="font-size: x-large;">March 25~ March 29 #ebook</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>Unexplained losses' of opioids from the local
hospital,dead cops and possible corruptions in his new police force are what Sheriff Bullet finds on
his first day on the job. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/30IX3s5">https://amzn.to/30IX3s5</a></div>
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-75101308567299385032019-12-18T12:25:00.002-08:002019-12-18T12:25:38.220-08:00Sean the Leprechaun~ A Christmas Story<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Going across some of my beloved mother's papers </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">I found a surprising thing she too had written about the Christmas that stuck in my mind when I was young. I think it's my Christmas present from her and now you can read it.My story is included in my new paperback and e-book Visions of Sugarplums. http://amzn.to/1ROfgLL<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">In the story she wrote of my imaginative nature; she also included details I forgot. It did happen as she wrote them (in true fact I love her story)so I am going to give you another Christmas treat and post my mother's story for you. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px; text-align: justify;">The twist? It begins with a leprechaun. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: justify;">Yes, you read that right.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px; text-align: justify;">Picture the Elf on the Shelf only dressed all in green and in my mind more magical. Read on and</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px; text-align: justify;"> enjoy. </span></div>
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<u style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px; text-align: center;">Sean the Leprechaun~ A Christmas Story</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> Sean was leprechaun. Actually to be completely honest he was just a stuffed doll. He’d been in the family for years and the children had never been allowed to play with him. He was hung in the window by a safety pin through his hat. Because of the children’s love of fairy tales over the years many tales had been made about him consequently the children began to believe he was a real leprechaun. In appearance he was quite ugly; about twelve inches tall; had long spindly legs, a sharp pointed nose and a <i>tense </i>disfigured face that had aged and discoloured to an ugly mahogany.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> For some unknown reason every time something bad was going to happen we would find him turned inward. I always blamed it on air currents but the children insisted he was warning us and that the pin hurt. Sean had tried to warn us when we travelled out to British Columbia that something was wrong by turning around in the car window and then we’d blown a tire. After that he also turned around when the car almost went over a cliff. My oldest son joked that the leprechaun was vengeful and the younger kids believed him.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> My husband insisted that the leprechaun wasn’t warning us Sean wasn’t <i>vengeful</i> or a <i>savage,</i> but a doll. That the tire had just blown and he’d made a mistake in geography getting too close to a cliff; but my young daughter, Sheilagh as she said her prayers that night said ...”and please tell Sean will get him a new suit if the car doesn’t break anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">She then said to me. “We can, can’t we Mommy?” I reassured her we could; then realized he was faded. I promptly forgot about it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> Over the next few months we settled in and Sean was installed in the front window with a beautiful view of the mountains but he insisted on facing in. nothing went right the job my husband was offered caused allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks and then the old injury that had caused us to relocate reared again and my husband was hospitalized.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> During a family conference I explained how there wouldn’t be expensive presents and my oldest daughter blurted out to the younger ones there was no Santa and I had to admit that was true. My youngest daughter insisted with the surety of youth a child there was a Santa. That in fact she believed Daddy was sick because I hadn’t made Sean the suit I promised him and then of course she started crying about not getting a Chatty Cathy. She finished all of this with tears flowing down her face.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> The next day I took Sean down from the window and searching throw my scrap cloth and wool box. I found enough to make a new suit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">When the children came home from school they noticed right away that Sean was missing. Wanting to surprise them I told them Santa’s elves had the flu and Sean had gone to help him in return for a new Christmas suit. This made them happy and reaffirmed their belief in Santa. Even though they somehow understood even Santa didn’t have a lot of money either. They not only accept this idea but demanded bedtime stories of Sean and Santa.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> That Saturday I turned on a Santa television program for them and imagine my surprise when I heard Santa say,” All my elves are down with the flu and my friend Sean has come to help me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">The camera panned to a doll that was the spitting imagine of Sean.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Muttering “I don’t believe it I went upstairs to look for Sean in my scrap basket. I took everything out piece by piece but I couldn’t find Sean. Following a sleepless night after sending the children to school I wondered where I could have lost him. I searched again and found Sean under a sock that needed darning. How I missed him the first second and gazillion time I don’t know.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> The next day my husband was released from the hospital came home and getting a licence shot a deer for Christmas dinner even though it hurt him to kill such a magnificent animal. We were happier. there was food for Christmas dinner.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">Christmas morning Sean was back where he belonged in the window facing out, in his brand new suit. The doorbell rang at five a.m. and I found gaily wrapped presents outside the front door with the children’s names on them. There had been a light snowfall overnight but the only tracks were hoof prints and two straight lines like those of a sleigh.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> We all stammered “What? Where? Why? How?”, as we looked at each other in wonderment at the lack of human footprints and the two long lines where something big had rested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">The parcels were opened and to sounds of delight as it revealed a Chatty Cathy doll cuddled tightly, a pair of figure skates, a Bowie knife and a make-up mirror, a large toy crane and a model airplane.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> I found out later that the toys were supplied by an elderly lady who befriended the neighbourhood children and who had given all the children a Christmas party’ but neither she, nor anyone else could explain the lack of human footprints. Sheilagh was sure that she was Mrs. Santa Claus and had brought Sean back with her and the presents. That is why she always wanted us to give generously after that to charity to assist Santa with Christmas presents for others.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> Was Sean really a magical leprechaun? I am no longer sure. some things maybe coincidence but others have no explanation . The only thing I’m sure of its that it was the best Christmas ever.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;">I hope you enjoyed my mother's story. My daughter now has Sean and has promised him another new suit, not bad since his last one was so long ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18.6667px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><i>Merry Christmas!! Happy Holidays!!</i></span></div>
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-89617025350248686872019-12-17T19:18:00.002-08:002019-12-21T08:24:37.186-08:00Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays Treat ExcerptsHappy Hannukuah starting Sunday December 22, 2019<br />
Merry Christmas to those who celebrate and Happy Holidays to all others. this is your holiday treat, Please scroll down below the books for excerpts and two additional surprises.<br />
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The following are three excerpts from <a href="http://authl.it/B00F6KIQC8">Christmas Is Calling </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifgfnieXhaw-P7LaxF9r9nGCH057DqPsOzBO8tMwV6MyLYtm-W-U-38fyFrd-YRMqk7xxtgpMDGP3cHMDRIMoImULVHm5JKPAs0pYrbks05ZjrHjxOtEECJmT9OZ7V7wDbQuwQlht431/s1600/christmasiscalling-thumb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifgfnieXhaw-P7LaxF9r9nGCH057DqPsOzBO8tMwV6MyLYtm-W-U-38fyFrd-YRMqk7xxtgpMDGP3cHMDRIMoImULVHm5JKPAs0pYrbks05ZjrHjxOtEECJmT9OZ7V7wDbQuwQlht431/s1600/christmasiscalling-thumb+1.jpg" /></a></div>
and <a href="http://authl.it/8st">Visions of Sugarplums</a> available at Amazon<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcjQPD8Lo9ihsfS1gQ_utYAwng_8MSmBRCVWZwPMf4z5Us4JLIIFo8qeIsRjOrT7yARnX26uhzxvc1_xsi0ehWeO5L2VbtbpALA293E9ksGCUKMId0jOgE0kLuMgQK3WZy98HU1FnV1kK/s1600/Visions+of+sugarplums+the+e-cover+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcjQPD8Lo9ihsfS1gQ_utYAwng_8MSmBRCVWZwPMf4z5Us4JLIIFo8qeIsRjOrT7yARnX26uhzxvc1_xsi0ehWeO5L2VbtbpALA293E9ksGCUKMId0jOgE0kLuMgQK3WZy98HU1FnV1kK/s320/Visions+of+sugarplums+the+e-cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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and The Christmas Card </div>
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<a href="http://amzn.to/VMtFyB"><img alt=" The Christmas Card" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1067" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOztk8fHPZbOyTRhKCm5JtUnrpqutLMah4nVzM874ycZND839PIJIHFNucozHIKBldOyihhrLNsxPxwe4CO4liVFltKwHwsH4kdAw3-_7bt67oLaJMI-MxdB1wlkYRKcGQ0O9KFm2A3PDv/s320/The+Christmas+Cardcover.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
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if you'd like to purchase the book or books just click the title it will take you to a link to do so.</div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 22pt;">Angels We Have Heard On High<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;"> was unseasonably warm a week ago and winter’s chill had come in a fury. Now the snow came down in not small clumps, but like someone throwing snowballs. I was cold hungry and I needed shelter for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“I’m sorry; if only you’d come sooner, the shelter is full.” the person at the shelter called the Inn of the shepherd said as I looked in to see a Christmas tree burning brightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">I had myself a bitter laugh. Here it was Christmas Eve and there was no room at the Inn. I looked around, no stable to be found, but a cardboard box from some large appliance someone was getting for Christmas lay before me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">How I remembered those Christmases of excesses, when money was plenty. When my life was different, and I had the love of my life by my side, but all of that was gone in the blink of an eye. I lost my job and then chased away my love, with anger and bitter words. Mary had then withered and died. Then I had lost my home and dignity, as I now walked the streets, living day to day on handouts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">I lay down to sleep on the cold ground, wrapped inside my box. The wind was bitter and bitingly cold. I pulled my ragged coat tighter round me. And still the cold battered me. I was almost asleep when I heard the heavenly music, the choir singing ‘<b><i>Angels We Have Heard On High’. </i></b>Before I had even thought about it my lips were singing the song too and I started wishing for an angel to take me out of the cold on this chilly night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Suddenly before me appeared a woman, at least at first I thought she was a woman. I somehow knew without a doubt this was an angel. Her hair was dark, her wings hidden close to her back, small and almost invisible; until that is she bent forward and then the wings unfurled to their full size. They were majestic wings that from wing to tip each were six feet long and dark black in colour like a crow’s wings. I questioned why had I been sent a dark angel? Was I so unredeemable?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Contrary to popular belief, angels come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of wings,” she admonished, as if she read my mind. Then she continued, “Lionel, I thought you were different and showed no prejudice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Sorry,” I apologized, ashamed and suddenly frightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Lionel, my dear man, and yes you are a good man; fear not for I have watched over you all your life. You need not dread me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“You’ve watched over me? Then where were you when I needed you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“I have been beside you. I have seen your best and your worst, and so has the almighty. You’ve learned much in the last week, and the almighty has seen your kindness, when you had so little yourself. He saw you give your last dollar to that teenager who was hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Is that why the almighty finally answered my prayer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Lionel, my dear man. Who stood with you when you needed shelter? Who found a meal for your empty belly? Who lifted your feet and made them light, when you felt you could walk no more?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“The almighty was with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Yes, he made the unseasonable mild weather. He made the lady see that you needed money for food. Remember how surprised you were that she gave you a twenty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Come Lionel. Come with me to your reward. There will be no more pain, no more trial, no more sorrow, only his light,” she said taking me by the hand and pulling me into glorious light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Light, all-encompassing peace and joy, everlasting enveloped me and there just in front of me, my dear wish, my wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Hello Lionel. I’ve been waiting for you,” Mary said as she hugged me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Poor beggar, he died during the night.” I heard from far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">But that life had no meaning for me anymore, I became light and felt nothing but peace and joy. So I had one request from the almighty. Let me share this love and joy at Christmas to all those deserving ones. And so God rewarded me. With Mary by my side, we are Christmas angels. We help the most deserving and see they get the Christmases they need. So if you feel that joy and that tug at your wallet this season, open it and share what you can. Make someone’s Christmas as special as mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: large; line-height: 24.5333px;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 6,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2012</b></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Home Invasion<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Softly his feet patted on the carpet and then a little harder on the wooden stairs as he tiptoed down them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He entered the family room and spotted some baked goods left on a plate. Tempted he took one off the plate and thought about eating it. He then looked down at his round belly and almost stopped but then he thought dieting for woosies. Besides he could diet in the New Year after this job. The baked good dry and appetizing almost made him not eat it. But he was hungry, or at least he thought he was, even as he felt it go to his stomach like a lead weight, he continued eating. When he finished the baked good, he walked around the living room. Where he looked was bare, hardly anything filled the room. A well-worn chair well-loved covered in duct tape to hold it together stood in the corner. A sofa long and looking saggy was there covered in a crochet blanket to hide its flaws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the corner of the dark room stood a Christmas tree; if you could call it a tree, calling it a tree would be kind. The tree looked like something out of Charlie Brown’s Christmas. He stared at it for a few moments, watching the twinkling lights. A single strand blinked at him. He then decided to get the job done before this family woke. He took out his bag looking for his tools. He found them and quickly completed the job. Placing the tools back in his bag, he packed up and snuck out of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl woke first and as she went into the living room, she squealed waking the boy who came running in response. The parents came next, worried about the screaming from their child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The parents stood their shocked and puzzled staring into the living room. The whole family gazed and looked in shock at their living room. Where once a duct taped chair stood;. its depilated state an eyesore in the room, a leather chair was now positioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And not just any chair, a <b><i>La-Z-Boy</i></b> chair that could recline. The sofa was leather too and matched perfectly. A rug, a beautiful tapestry of figures on horseback, and with golden threads, appeared under the furniture. And in the corner where their Charlie Brown Christmas tree had stood, a beautiful Douglas fir stood in its place. It fairly glowed with the five hundred lights strung around it. The ornaments they’d placed so lovingly on their tree were there, with many more new ones filling the branches. And underneath the tree a bounty of riches, many pretty packages layered beneath the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t understand this,” retorted the father, shaking his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Me either,” the mother claimed, covering her mouth in wonderment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was Santa Claus,” insisted the children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It must have been,” mother agreed. “Thank you, whoever did this. Because of you, my children will have Christmas. God bless you ten-fold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, thank-you Santa and God bless you,” the girl child reiterated, opening a present and squealing to find a Justin Bieber doll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The man who had crept into the house sat in his home, his feet in front of the fire warming them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did they hear you?” asked his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” he replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did your brother, Paul help you with the furniture?” she enquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, we got it all in and I used my tools to make sure it was all put together right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And the tree did it fit?” she wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, and it was beautiful,” he commented “The presents are all under the tree?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, dear, including the Justin Bieber doll, Ellen wanted,” he stated happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“They don’t know who did all this. Do they?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, they’ll never know their neighbours got together and did this,” he answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good. I hope they believe Santa Claus did all this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course after all it was Santa Claus,” he replied, with a wink and touched his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Santa needs to go on a diet,” his wife commented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, a little treadmill and then his belly won’t be so jolly,” he laughed. “I need a couple of hours sleep then we can have our Christmas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Merry Christmas, come to bed Santa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Merry Christmas, to you too honey, and to all a goodnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">~0~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 6,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2012</b></span></span></i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>The Christmas Card</b></span></span></i></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"> She remembered the Christmases of long ago; the smells
of cloves and clementines, the taste on your lips of sweet candies, mints and
striped candy canes. She wanted to see the interactions of people at the stores
this time of year. It was almost like she could pretend she hadn’t gone through
hardship her entire life and that she was one of those happy shoppers. That she
wasn’t invisible in this life. That she didn’t spend every day cleaning offices
at night, seeing no one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grace Philips made a decision she would go home grab
her mad money, get some breakfast and then shop for some foods for Christmas,
maybe she’d even buy a small present for herself. As she walked to the nearby
dinner she saw her mailman hefting his brimming mail bag.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Hello, Grace. I have some mail for you,” he said
handling Grace what appeared to be some bills, then he continued delivering his
load of mail and parcels.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grace continued onto the diner, opening bills as she
walked. When she reached the diner she sat down and ordered and began to open
her mail. Opening an envelope out popped a Christmas card. Who would be sending
her a Christmas card? Inside the card tied with a lovely red ribbon a ring with
a small diamond and a matching wedding ring. She read...,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dearest Grace<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">F</span></i><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">orgive me for not writing to you sooner, I’ve not had
time to write, as the war drags on, and we try hard to kill the enemy and keep
ourselves alive. Suffice to say, I can’t even tell you where I am right now, or
what I am doing. I can’t tell you much more than this as loose lips, sink ships
and campaigns in this war. But know that you dwell in my heart and mind.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">The night we met was
the greatest night of my life. The room crowded and warm, everyone disappeared
as I looked at you. Dance after dance, I felt your body, warm and inviting next
to mine, as the music played. When the music ended, I never wanted to let you
go. I fell in love that night and I longed to spend all my time with you and
did so every chance we got.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">I want you to know I
have enjoyed your beautiful letters and your stories of your everyday life.
They have kept me sane, when bullets reined over my body and the sounds and
echoes of rockets burst over my head. I look at your picture every day and
carry it close to my heart. I love you with all my heart. I know the ring
enclosed isn’t large, but it’s all I can afford. I’ll be home for Christmas and
if you feel the same as I do meet me in the diner where we first met on
December twenty-fourth wearing my ring and tell me yes. I can hardly wait for
you to be mine. If you agree we will be married on Christmas day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you don’t show,
I’ll understand and take that as a no, and never bother you again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Love your, Roberto<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">She didn’t know any Roberto. This card wasn’t meant
for her. She glanced at the envelope, it said Grace; but the last name was smudged.
In the corner of the envelope she read December thirteenth, nineteen forty-two.
How was this possible? It was twenty fourteen. The card had been lost in the
mail. Obviously the first place to look was at the address.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">It was the same as hers. This Grace had lived in her
apartment. Poor Roberto, had he sent this ring to be rejected because it was
lost in the mail. And what about Grace had she still found her Roberto? Grace
decided then a there she would look into this mystery and return this ring to Grace.
As she entered her apartment building, she found herself happy and looking
forward to the future. Maybe, just maybe, she could find out who this Grace
was. Then at least she could let Grace know Roberto loved her.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span></i></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">It had been eons though since this Christmas card had
been sent, what if the recipient had died? Or Roberto died? It was time ago.
What if she told Grace or Roberto and detonated a long term marriage? Maybe she
shouldn’t be looking into this? No, if she were Grace, even if she’d moved on she’d
want to know that once Roberto loved her. Who could she ask? The first person
to ask was the lovely old lady in 3 G. Mrs. Donnelly had been here since the
thirties. Of course, Mrs. Donnelly, her landlady, the woman had lived her a
long time. She was ninety-five years old, but spry and very aware. Maybe she
could tell Grace where she could look? Mrs. Donnelly might know <b><i>Grace</i></b>
of the Christmas card. She had a Christmas present for Mrs. Donnelly; she’d
take it to her and ask about the mysterious Grace who had the same first name.</span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">( read the rest of the book by buying in either kindle or paperpack with link </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://amzn.to/VMtFyB">The Christmas Card</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><u>Finding Christmas Spirit </u></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 18.4px;">“I have no Christmas spirit this year,” I commented, <span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“</span>The rouleau on the tree even bores me.<o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“Rouleau you sound so pretentious just call it trim.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The point it the orphic symbol of Christmas doesn't excite me.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“ Using pervious words doesn't change the fact that, that makes two of us, Holly,” my brother Zach answered, “I miss them too.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I’m so selfish forgetting you lost them too. You saw through all my silly words. How do you do that?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">“I have an idea what will make us happy,” Zach answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">“What have Christmas… just the two of us? You’re always full of ideas, but it’s the follow up that’s the problem. I’ll be cooking the dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">“Come with me to the mall,” Zach begged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">“You’re crazy; the mall is zoo this time of year, a week before Christmas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">“Just follow me Holly. Come with me and you won't be sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;"> Holly reluctantly followed her brother. He took her to the toy department and she felt like a kid again as they laughed and played with some of the toys. Zach put some of the toys in a cart. Then he went to the toiletries department and bought things that Holly could use. But why was he buying all of these things in front of her she wondered? Zach laughed and whispered in her ear and Holly understood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Holly picked up toys and some men’s toiletries and put them in her cart. Then she and Zach split up Zach going to the women’s clothing her to the men’s department. When they were all done they met at the front of the store laughing and smiling they paid for the goods. Them they went into the mall and in the centre of the mall near Santa they placed all their gifts. They had found Christmas after all.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.4px;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 12,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2017</b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;"><u>Wonder</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The wonder of Santa Claus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Seen through children’s eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Brings back treasured memories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of Christmases long ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The anticipation of Christmas morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The family gathering too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Seen through rose-coloured glasses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The bittersweet remembrance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Siblings gone too soon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of parents gone too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Forgotten for a moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Lost in the anticipation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of the celebration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: large;">So long ago.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 5,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2017</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuakah,Happy Holiday whatever you celebrate I hope you have fun.</span></span></div>
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Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-32062236706920025482019-12-02T18:23:00.004-08:002019-12-02T18:23:43.195-08:00Wake<br />
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WAKE</div>
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The funeral began promptly at 2 p.m., people stood up and
said glowing tributes which made me laugh and smile instead of cry.. My wife
accepted all the condolences with grit and composure that no one would have
expected of her; but she loved me and she wanted those who mourned me to have
comfort before her own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I couldn’t stand in anymore and I stood up from the back of
the funeral home room.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You bastard!! You’re not dead!!”Yelled a number of people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You should be dead!!”yelled my sister.<o:p></o:p></div>
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““That would be a sight worth seeing,” my grieving wife
stated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I can explain,” I offered.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Let’s hear it,” my twenty-one year old son insisted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’m dying I have about six months but I wanted to see if
anyone would care if I was gone.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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“You jerk! We’re you just going to take yourself off
somewhere for the next six months while we grieved? ”asked my son.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I hadn’t thought that far,” I admitted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“We’re going home we’ll have the wake today everyone is
invited back to our house for a party that is if you can forgive my husband,”
my wife stated.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We had a rip roaring party that rocked the
neighbourhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the doctor called
the next day it seems he got the results mixed up with another patient and he
claimed I could leave for another fifty years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My wife says not if she can help it. she still hasn’t forgiven me but
I’m working on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><i><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">©Sheilagh Lee </b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>December 2</b></span><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> , 2019</b></i></span>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-2372184755484297312019-11-27T18:00:00.001-08:002019-11-27T18:00:17.469-08:00Happy Thanksgiving To All My America followers and friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKPLZJMPD0vaL3pcrouORJvE2J_grkJNT2TUQ4icugKK07-c2bnJpEBlJQBXRWoXAvWEMuOb0lC9zRqITWxs4XjMrJxwLVU7v2Tf_bBBoBnoNsjQpZ2hC2q97A_j4vfnUMdOacuGGtLe_/s1600/Happy+thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKPLZJMPD0vaL3pcrouORJvE2J_grkJNT2TUQ4icugKK07-c2bnJpEBlJQBXRWoXAvWEMuOb0lC9zRqITWxs4XjMrJxwLVU7v2Tf_bBBoBnoNsjQpZ2hC2q97A_j4vfnUMdOacuGGtLe_/s400/Happy+thanksgiving.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-627882321954315012019-11-11T18:45:00.000-08:002019-11-11T18:45:01.932-08:00Kith and Kin Remembered ~ We remember your sacrifice<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTglTtlYXddvRuXBlIS5cyrIrHNvKSzOzjKEJYAVLMEaQ9MoBnUAuDTPiaJLWu9kJ_XqqVTn6O_eQqFQm5Ubrb8BqnBKDg2yx_0KY0bHSE9tXVYxsO1-GH-ofUyHvWowzZWTFsxqe8Bdwa/s1600/poppy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTglTtlYXddvRuXBlIS5cyrIrHNvKSzOzjKEJYAVLMEaQ9MoBnUAuDTPiaJLWu9kJ_XqqVTn6O_eQqFQm5Ubrb8BqnBKDg2yx_0KY0bHSE9tXVYxsO1-GH-ofUyHvWowzZWTFsxqe8Bdwa/s1600/poppy.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Kith and Kin Remembered </span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> My dad was a born storyteller. Some of his stories I took with a grain of salt, except those that were also confirmed by my grandmother. My grandmother confirmed this story, so I feel safe confiding in you. My dad was always fascinated by war and the strategies of war. This began at early age when my dad met relatives at the <i>Timothy Eaton estate </i>in Owen Sound when a young child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> What relatives did my dad meet you ask? The two flying aces of World War 1, <i>Billy Bishop</i> and <i>Henry John Burden</i> who he met at the family party. You see <i>Billy Bishop</i> is related to me sort of; let me explain, he was married to my dad’s cousin (you figure out how many removed) <i>Margaret Eaton Burden</i>. Therefore so is her brother, <i>Henry John Burden</i>. Their grandfather was <i>Timothy Eaton</i>,</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;">( yes, those well known <i>Eaton's</i> in Canada, related to <i>Timothy Eaton</i> the department head king)</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">. My great-great-great grandfather was <i>Timothy’s</i> brother. Have I confused you yet?</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> When young, my dad went to picnics and summer retreats at the <i>Eaton’s</i> estate in Owen Sound, This particular summer he met the two flying aces. <i>Billy Bishop's</i> home was in England at the time, but he had come home to Canada and met with relatives at this party. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> Now to a young boy so interested in military history, just being introduced to them made him think he was in seventh heaven, but when they found the boy so knowledgeable about military history they were happy to talk to him of their service as flying aces. My dad thought the two men intelligent articulate and was thrilled that he was related to the pair( if only one distantly and one by marriage). They were kind to the young boy and his older brother who craved male attention since their parent’s divorce. Dad and his older brother Gordon spent that day just enjoying the stories and soaking in all the information they imparted. This time they spent with him had an impact on my Dad, he wanted to join the air force when he got older or at least some part of the military. It made his interest in military history come alive even more so and you’d often find the boy with his nose in his book, when he wasn’t hunting and fishing. It may have also made his older brother, Gordon join the war effort as a soldier as soon as the Second World War began. Uncle Gordon became a leader and worked behind the lines in special forces efforts in the Second World War. It didn't hurt that my Uncle Gordon had a genetic ability that assisted him. He had an eidetic memory meaning that he saw something and he could remember it all in vivid images.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">I'm sure that was difficult for him after the war and part of the reason he never spoke of what he did during the war. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">As I told you reader once before Uncle Gordon was believed killed at one point and his family </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;">grieved for him for months only to have a miracle happen finding out he was severally injured but alive. While my father tried to sneak off to war at thirteen years old but my grandmother retrieved him in Halifax before he boarded a troop ship that later was torpedoed. (see </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><a href="http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2011/11/three-word-wednesday-second-world-war.html">http://sheilaghlee.blogspot.ca/2011/11/three-word-wednesday-second-world-war.html</a>)</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"> So on this Remembrance Day one hundred years after the start of World War 1, I remember the men who give their lives for their countries,and also the flying aces, <i>Billy Bishop</i> and <i>Henry John Burden</i> and my Uncle Gordon who served in Special Forces, and who were lucky enough to survive the war. Thank you all for you service.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<i style="text-align: justify;">My</i><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px; text-align: center;">Uncle Gordon and some friends</i></div>
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<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"> And thank you to my father who told me about all the military battles and made me see the sacrifices that these men had made for</span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"> </span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;">our country</span></span></i><i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;">. He made me see that period of time through his eyes, those living through those turbulent times and how hard it truly it was.</span></span></i></div>
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<i style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<i style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;">NB: Billy Bishop officially credited with 72 victories thus making him Canada’s First World War flying ace the top Canadian ace of the war. Billy Bishop was a touted as a Canadian hero and used as a morale booster to the Canadian people. Ordered to return to England and organize our flyers by June nineteenth, nineteen seventeen he couldn’t resist one last chance to take out more enemy planes flying behind enemy lines he took down five planes in fifteen minutes. On August 5th, he was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and was given the post of "Officer Commanding-designate of the Canadian Air Force Section of the General Staff, Headquarters Overseas Military Forces of Canada." During the Second World War, Billy Bishop became instrumental in instructing and setting up pilot training for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Billy Bishop received the Victoria Cross, Distinguished Service Order with Bar, Military Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, 1914–1915 Star, and British War Medal 1914–1920. Margaret’s brother and Billy’s brother-in-law also a flying ace had 16 victories and received a Distinguished Service Order award and a Distinguished Flying Cross award. (source wikipedia)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4667px;">To read more of Billy Bishop got to <a href="http://www.billybishop.net/">http://www.billybishop.net</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21.4667px;"><i> We remember and we honour our beloved soldiers. Thank you</i></span></div>
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Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-2552329970748769822019-06-07T17:05:00.006-07:002019-06-07T17:06:11.003-07:00Secrets<img src="https://siobhanmuir.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/thursthreadsHM-300x300.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">For my story <u>Secrets</u></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first day at my government job so I was happy
when my supervisor said he wanted to show me something not too many employees
knew about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><u></u></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I shouldn’t let you into these secret government
files,” Alfred stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’d be no fun; I’d love to know everything
they’ve been hiding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can’t see everything but maybe I could show you
this one file about our parents.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Our parents…huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You know that vaccine, the one that left them with
a huge scar?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I nodded. I read the file expecting maybe that the manufacturer
goofed making the needle too big. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pretty wild huh.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It says that our parents were imprinted with a DNA
scanner tracker that the government can track any citizen that got this. Holy
cow everyone should know about this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You can’t tell anyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But I have to this is big,” I protested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Just then the big boss came in the room and sounded
angry, “Alfred, vaccination are important, if people believe your scam then
they won’t vaccinate.” Then turning to me he said, “I have the scar, see
Randy?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,” I answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you think I’d still have one if the government
could track me with it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Alfred you are officially on leave. Randy can
handle your job until you come back next week.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alfred didn’t come back. I’m still on the job and
although the vaccination story wasn’t true I could tell you a few stories that
could raise your hair; but I won’t I love my job.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: center;"><i>©Sheilagh Lee June 6, 2019</i></b></span></div>
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-47040211781452552012019-05-04T17:18:00.000-07:002019-05-04T17:18:01.525-07:00#New Release Untraceable #kindle #Paperback<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sheriff Bullet is devastated when Desk Sergeant Penny
Ambercrombie is critically injured responding to a plane crash. Wanting to find
the people responsible Bullet delves into only to find himself neck deep in
Feds and cyber-warfare. One of the victims may be a Driftwood resident, the
daughter of a computer magnet. Sheriff Bullet soon learns his own daughter and
aunt have been kidnapped and maybe in greater danger if the Feds find out.
Walking a fine line between withholding information and helping the Feds, he
must trust that his Uncle Tommy can find his family members before the kidnappers
find them useless. Before he’s done, Sheriff Bullet may find a conspiracy that
reaches into the heart of American democracy and coming full circle, back to
Driftwood once again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><br />
buy your copy at<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXGS1KB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QXGS1KB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-8078824585200586422019-04-03T08:53:00.000-07:002019-04-03T08:54:18.921-07:00Spring?<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“If it isn’t
torrential raining, it’s blizzardy. I’m sick off winter. It’s like a circus
elephant doing tricks no one wants to see,” I complained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’ve had one
of the shortest winters I remember so far; what three months? You’re such a whiner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shut-up Jack we
can never afford<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a winter vacation… “<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry, too;
it’s just this weather; cold wet dreary and never ending. We’re in this
together I love you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you too.
It will end soon and spring will come, then summer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The doorbell
rang and I wondered who the heck that could be all my friends were away on
their vacations. I peered through the peephole.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Delivery,” a
man said standing holding something wrapped in brown paper and plastic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cautiously I
opened the door and the man handed me the parcel. I took inside and noted it
was addressed to me. Opening it I saw a window box with glorious blooming
flowers and nestled in amongst them an envelope. I opened the envelope and it
contained two tickets to Phoenix Arizona and a note that said, </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Surprise my love, I’ve been
working tons of overtime; we’re booked off the next two days and now we can
have our vacation. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">P.S. Don’t worry about the flowers, April says they’ll be
blooming when we get back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Early Anniversary<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Love Jack<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I smiled and
began to pack. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jack and I had
fun and returned renewed and refreshed, my flowers a welcome burst of spring.</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: x-small;"><i>©Sheilagh Lee March 25 2019</i></b>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-85522090101221303772019-03-19T11:06:00.001-07:002019-03-20T09:41:12.530-07:00Sunset Gardens<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>I won an honourable mention from Siobhan Muir's Week</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;"><i>-354</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The woman held her granddaughter tenderly in her
arms and smiled, it was so wonderful to be a grandmother. She kissed the
new-born baby’s head and held her tight rocking her back and forth. She then
took out a bottle holding it to the babe’s lift she fed the hungry baby. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How she loved this baby her heart was full. Time
went by and the baby was toddler. She loved it when the parents brought the
baby to her. She remembered when her daughter was this small and she had held
her in her arms. Her daughter had brought so much joy and now little Emily had
done the same. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> She watched as the baby toddled across the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Across the hall a woman in scrubs asked, “What do
you hear?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I hear a woman looking after a baby.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s correct a lot of dementia and mentally ill
patients go back to a happier time in their minds. Amelia is ninety years old
and she lost her daughter, son-in law and young granddaughter about twenty five
years ago to a drunk driver ; she hasn’t ever been able to face that so she
lives her own world where they still live and she babysits her grandchild.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So what do we do?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We agree with her that her grandchild is beautiful
when she asks and allow her to play with the doll and call it Emma.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can do that,” the aide claimed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good you’ll do well here at Sunset Gardens.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: x-small;"><i>©Sheilagh Lee March 15 2019</i></b></span></div>
<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-61615185652145136952019-03-13T13:09:00.002-07:002019-03-13T13:09:21.064-07:00Familiar<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Familiar</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> The first day on my job as the head librarian I
encountered him. It seems the library came with a ghost. The ghost, William
Barkley had once owned the property that had been converted into a library. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">William wanted my help to find his true love, Ginny.
He said he only had until Christmas Eve and then he would disappear. I was a
librarian we were taught to find the impossible so I’d try. With William’s help
I’d been at it a week scouring records. We only had another three days. Who was
this mysterious Ginny?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Annie?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">William disappeared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Grandma Ferris, what are you doing here?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Looking for you, Gail. You said you’d come for
supper.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry. I was busy searching for something for a
patron and lost time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ginny?” William asked reappearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where did you come from?” Grandma asked and then
growing pale she said, “William? How dare you share the same space that’s it
I’m leaving.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ginny was Grandma? Of course; why hadn’t I realized
Ginny was short for Virginia? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Ginny please, I can explain.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You have to be kidding.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please, I needed to see you one last time and make
clear what happened. I was murdered.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nonsense. You’re standing in front of me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m a ghost Ginny; stuck in limbo until you forgive
me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I tried to touch his arm to show grandma he was
telling the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You are a ghost!” Grandma said clutching her chest.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Grandma then fell to the floor and continued to
clutch her chest. William tried to hug her or at least comfort her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know that my murder kept me from meeting you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I waited hours for you to come and when you
didn’t…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry Ginny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You left me pregnant and alone. My daddy made me
marry a hard man who drank and never made me forget I was soiled goods.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This man was daddy’s father?” I demanded to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I have a son?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And a granddaughter, she standing right in front of
you,” Grandma admitted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I swear William smiled at me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Who did you marry?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Burton Parmeter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Burton killed me. Where can I find the bastard? I want
to haunt him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He died last year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you, Ginny.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I love you too William.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With that the spirit seemed to leave Grandma’s body
and when I looked up I saw her ghost a young woman standing beside a now young
William. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We love you, Gail. We have to go now but we will be
around even if you can’t see us.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With that they disappeared and I never saw them
again but once in awhile I felt their presence and sometimes books would fly
off the shelf at my feet sending me messages of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: x-small;"><i>©Sheilagh Lee March 13 2019</i></b></span></div>
<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-9973237784333858742019-02-20T16:24:00.001-08:002019-02-20T16:24:12.647-08:00Trust is a two way street<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Trust is a two way street</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Waiting for
hours I stared at steel walls, the room windowless and as cold as you expected
a government office to be. Finally the door was opened and a man sat down
across the table from me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Do I need to
explain why you are here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Ah yes, I think
you have the wrong person,” I muttered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’re Delilah
Redbone! You know why you here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Spell it out
for me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Stop playing
games were talking about your ability to walk through walls; your government
needs your services.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If I can walk
through walls why haven’t I left here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“They’re lined
with lead that prohibits your abilities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Someone had
ratted me out my ex-Geoff must have told them or was it my ex-Charlie who
didn’t take the memory eraser from my friend Tina.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“So what’s the
job?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“We want you to
enter the Russian Embassy and remove some papers.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Not a chance,
bub,” I answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“The one-time
payment for this is 5 million dollars.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“If I do this,
you leave me alone and never call on me again,” I insisted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Last week I did
the job retrieved the papers dropped them off collecting the money. My name is now, Cecilia Brooks now and I live in Canada. I stay off social media and try not to
take good pictures from government identification. I work in a bank and borrow
a few bucks when I need them. Lead doesn’t keep me out, one thing they don’t
know. So if they get me I can escape. As for dating I’m not as trusting
anymore so I have a new guy every night maybe someday I'll trust again then I'll find someone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: xx-small;"><b><i>©Sheilagh Lee February 20, 2019</i></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-36598935404480745252019-01-17T17:23:00.000-08:002019-01-19T12:17:23.621-08:00Inheritance <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Inheritance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I watched my father limbered up the steps of the
nursing home dragging my terrified gran behind him. He touted this home as a
palace a place where the old are cared for as if family members. He had enough
money he could have paid someone to look after her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Nothing but serenity and bliss,” I heard him say
loudly to gran and I hated him with passion. Gran had sacrificed and done without so he could get an education at Harvard. When Mom died she stepped in and raised me since dad was never around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Dad thought he had conservatorship over Gran's person
and fortune but as soon as he left I’d produce the papers remove her from this
place and make sure he never saw her again. I’d already gotten a judge to issue
a restraining order against my father; but I’d not call the police unless he
came after gran. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He left and I entered the place. It was dingy and the residents sat in wheelchairs in their own filth. I wished I’d had the guts to
come in sooner as I saw gran crying.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You always said dry your eyes my pet, tomorrows
another day,”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Meghan?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes it’s me and we’re going away from this place.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I whispered in her ear, “Florida,” and she grinned
from ear to ear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gran and I lived in a nice home on the beach. She
loved the warmth and didn’t need any extra caregiver. We bought the nursing home and gave the people there a place that was worthy of their last days. Gran died last month
after twenty years with me. She was ninety five and happy. Dad’s trying hard in
court to seize her assets; but my lawyer’s about to tell him gran and I spent
most of her funds and what she didn’t want to spend she put in my name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: xx-small;">©Sheilagh Lee January 15, 2019</span>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-46772318655022053702019-01-02T15:49:00.003-08:002019-01-02T15:49:42.992-08:00One day at a time<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s Christmas, cheer up,” my boyfriend, Ted
stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I can’t; unlike you my life isn’t rainbows and
unicorns and beautiful bubbles that float to the sky. If I could paint this
season I’d paint it black and retreat into a room until it all goes away.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m sorry. I’m not helping am I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, you’re not this is the first Christmas without
my parents and I can’t handle it. I’m sorry I’m bringing you down.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is there anything I can do?” Ted asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Just be here with me when I need you and give me
space when I don’t.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Would you like to go to see a movie with me for
Christmas day?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But we always go to the park, see the lights, and
skate like my parents always did.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you want to do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No, not this year so movie it is?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, how about Mary Poppins returns?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sounds good but what about your mom and dad?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We’ll see them the next day. I’m spending Christmas
with my fiancée.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know you’re having a rough time right now but
maybe sometime in the future you’ll consider marrying me?” Ted asked holding
out a ring in a box.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I smiled and nodded yes. Ted insisted on a long engagement, we'll have our joy in two years. He wanted me to be sure. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Ted has made a tough
Christmas one to remember with joy. So maybe I can be happy just a little,
one day at a time. My parents would want me to have love to after all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: xx-small;">©Sheilagh Lee January 2, 2019</span></div>
<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-82163523122152256012018-12-20T17:56:00.001-08:002018-12-20T18:01:32.160-08:00Your Happy Holidays .or Merry Christmas Treat<br />
<br />
The following are two excerpts from <a href="http://authl.it/B00F6KIQC8">Christmas Is Calling </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifgfnieXhaw-P7LaxF9r9nGCH057DqPsOzBO8tMwV6MyLYtm-W-U-38fyFrd-YRMqk7xxtgpMDGP3cHMDRIMoImULVHm5JKPAs0pYrbks05ZjrHjxOtEECJmT9OZ7V7wDbQuwQlht431/s1600/christmasiscalling-thumb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdifgfnieXhaw-P7LaxF9r9nGCH057DqPsOzBO8tMwV6MyLYtm-W-U-38fyFrd-YRMqk7xxtgpMDGP3cHMDRIMoImULVHm5JKPAs0pYrbks05ZjrHjxOtEECJmT9OZ7V7wDbQuwQlht431/s1600/christmasiscalling-thumb+1.jpg" /></a></div>
and <a href="http://authl.it/8st">Visions of Sugarplums</a> available at Amazon<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcjQPD8Lo9ihsfS1gQ_utYAwng_8MSmBRCVWZwPMf4z5Us4JLIIFo8qeIsRjOrT7yARnX26uhzxvc1_xsi0ehWeO5L2VbtbpALA293E9ksGCUKMId0jOgE0kLuMgQK3WZy98HU1FnV1kK/s1600/Visions+of+sugarplums+the+e-cover+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKcjQPD8Lo9ihsfS1gQ_utYAwng_8MSmBRCVWZwPMf4z5Us4JLIIFo8qeIsRjOrT7yARnX26uhzxvc1_xsi0ehWeO5L2VbtbpALA293E9ksGCUKMId0jOgE0kLuMgQK3WZy98HU1FnV1kK/s320/Visions+of+sugarplums+the+e-cover+%25282%2529.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
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if you'd like to purchase the book or books just click the title it will take you to a link to do so.</div>
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<h3 align="center" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: 22pt;">Angels We Have Heard On High<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">t</span></span><span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;"> was unseasonably warm a week ago and winter’s chill had come in a fury. Now the snow came down in not small clumps, but like someone throwing snowballs. I was cold hungry and I needed shelter for the night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“I’m sorry; if only you’d come sooner, the shelter is full.” the person at the shelter called the Inn of the shepherd said as I looked in to see a Christmas tree burning brightly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">I had myself a bitter laugh. Here it was Christmas Eve and there was no room at the Inn. I looked around, no stable to be found, but a cardboard box from some large appliance someone was getting for Christmas lay before me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">How I remembered those Christmases of excesses, when money was plenty. When my life was different, and I had the love of my life by my side, but all of that was gone in the blink of an eye. I lost my job and then chased away my love, with anger and bitter words. Mary had then withered and died. Then I had lost my home and dignity, as I now walked the streets, living day to day on handouts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">I lay down to sleep on the cold ground, wrapped inside my box. The wind was bitter and bitingly cold. I pulled my ragged coat tighter round me. And still the cold battered me. I was almost asleep when I heard the heavenly music, the choir singing ‘<b><i>Angels We Have Heard On High’. </i></b>Before I had even thought about it my lips were singing the song too and I started wishing for an angel to take me out of the cold on this chilly night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Suddenly before me appeared a woman, at least at first I thought she was a woman. I somehow knew without a doubt this was an angel. Her hair was dark, her wings hidden close to her back, small and almost invisible; until that is she bent forward and then the wings unfurled to their full size. They were majestic wings that from wing to tip each were six feet long and dark black in colour like a crow’s wings. I questioned why had I been sent a dark angel? Was I so unredeemable?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Contrary to popular belief, angels come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of wings,” she admonished, as if she read my mind. Then she continued, “Lionel, I thought you were different and showed no prejudice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Sorry,” I apologized, ashamed and suddenly frightened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Lionel, my dear man, and yes you are a good man; fear not for I have watched over you all your life. You need not dread me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“You’ve watched over me? Then where were you when I needed you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“I have been beside you. I have seen your best and your worst, and so has the almighty. You’ve learned much in the last week, and the almighty has seen your kindness, when you had so little yourself. He saw you give your last dollar to that teenager who was hungry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Is that why the almighty finally answered my prayer?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Lionel, my dear man. Who stood with you when you needed shelter? Who found a meal for your empty belly? Who lifted your feet and made them light, when you felt you could walk no more?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“The almighty was with me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Yes, he made the unseasonable mild weather. He made the lady see that you needed money for food. Remember how surprised you were that she gave you a twenty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Come Lionel. Come with me to your reward. There will be no more pain, no more trial, no more sorrow, only his light,” she said taking me by the hand and pulling me into glorious light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Light, all-encompassing peace and joy, everlasting enveloped me and there just in front of me, my dear wish, my wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Hello Lionel. I’ve been waiting for you,” Mary said as she hugged me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">“Poor beggar, he died during the night.” I heard from far away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">But that life had no meaning for me anymore, I became light and felt nothing but peace and joy. So I had one request from the almighty. Let me share this love and joy at Christmas to all those deserving ones. And so God rewarded me. With Mary by my side, we are Christmas angels. We help the most deserving and see they get the Christmases they need. So if you feel that joy and that tug at your wallet this season, open it and share what you can. Make someone’s Christmas as special as mine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: large; line-height: 24.5333px;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 6,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2012</b></span></span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; line-height: 24.5333px;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">******************************************************</span><img alt="No automatic alt text available." src="https://scontent.fyto1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12391821_963604533719662_9023980535987727717_n.jpg?oh=670e82a739fcc62219d87bea74f54c81&oe=5AC2E78F" /></div>
<h3 align="center" style="margin-left: 0in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<span lang="EN-AU" style="font-size: large;">Home Invasion<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-large;"><b>H</b></span><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large;">e crept swiftly passed the sleeping girl, checking to make sure she didn’t hear his footsteps on the threadbare carpet. She stirred slightly and he paused for moment, taking a huge breath hoping she wouldn’t hear him. He slipped passed the boys room, as the cat almost tripped him. He worried that his large frame would make more noise and awakened the family before this job was done. He continued down the hall past the parent’s bedroom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Softly his feet patted on the carpet and then a little harder on the wooden stairs as he tiptoed down them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He entered the family room and spotted some baked goods left on a plate. Tempted he took one off the plate and thought about eating it. He then looked down at his round belly and almost stopped but then he thought dieting for woosies. Besides he could diet in the New Year after this job. The baked good dry and appetizing almost made him not eat it. But he was hungry, or at least he thought he was, even as he felt it go to his stomach like a lead weight, he continued eating. When he finished the baked good, he walked around the living room. Where he looked was bare, hardly anything filled the room. A well-worn chair well-loved covered in duct tape to hold it together stood in the corner. A sofa long and looking saggy was there covered in a crochet blanket to hide its flaws.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the corner of the dark room stood a Christmas tree; if you could call it a tree, calling it a tree would be kind. The tree looked like something out of Charlie Brown’s Christmas. He stared at it for a few moments, watching the twinkling lights. A single strand blinked at him. He then decided to get the job done before this family woke. He took out his bag looking for his tools. He found them and quickly completed the job. Placing the tools back in his bag, he packed up and snuck out of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The girl woke first and as she went into the living room, she squealed waking the boy who came running in response. The parents came next, worried about the screaming from their child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The parents stood their shocked and puzzled staring into the living room. The whole family gazed and looked in shock at their living room. Where once a duct taped chair stood;. its depilated state an eyesore in the room, a leather chair was now positioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">And not just any chair, a <b><i>La-Z-Boy</i></b> chair that could recline. The sofa was leather too and matched perfectly. A rug, a beautiful tapestry of figures on horseback, and with golden threads, appeared under the furniture. And in the corner where their Charlie Brown Christmas tree had stood, a beautiful Douglas fir stood in its place. It fairly glowed with the five hundred lights strung around it. The ornaments they’d placed so lovingly on their tree were there, with many more new ones filling the branches. And underneath the tree a bounty of riches, many pretty packages layered beneath the tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“I don’t understand this,” retorted the father, shaking his head.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Me either,” the mother claimed, covering her mouth in wonderment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It was Santa Claus,” insisted the children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“It must have been,” mother agreed. “Thank you, whoever did this. Because of you, my children will have Christmas. God bless you ten-fold.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, thank-you Santa and God bless you,” the girl child reiterated, opening a present and squealing to find a Justin Bieber doll.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The man who had crept into the house sat in his home, his feet in front of the fire warming them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did they hear you?” asked his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No,” he replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Did your brother, Paul help you with the furniture?” she enquired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, we got it all in and I used my tools to make sure it was all put together right.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“And the tree did it fit?” she wanted to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, and it was beautiful,” he commented “The presents are all under the tree?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, dear, including the Justin Bieber doll, Ellen wanted,” he stated happily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“They don’t know who did all this. Do they?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“No, they’ll never know their neighbours got together and did this,” he answered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Good. I hope they believe Santa Claus did all this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Of course after all it was Santa Claus,” he replied, with a wink and touched his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Santa needs to go on a diet,” his wife commented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Yes, a little treadmill and then his belly won’t be so jolly,” he laughed. “I need a couple of hours sleep then we can have our Christmas.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Merry Christmas, come to bed Santa.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Merry Christmas, to you too honey, and to all a goodnight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">~0~<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 6,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2012</b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;"><u>Wonder</u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The wonder of Santa Claus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Seen through children’s eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Brings back treasured memories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of Christmases long ago<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The anticipation of Christmas morning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The family gathering too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Seen through rose-coloured glasses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">The bittersweet remembrance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Siblings gone too soon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of parents gone too<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Forgotten for a moment<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Lost in the anticipation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: large; line-height: 18.4px;">Of the celebration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: large;">So long ago.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; line-height: 18.4px;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b>©Sheilagh Lee December 5,</b></span></span></i><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> 2017</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><i style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 21.3333px; line-height: 24.5333px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3De3fZPwUVhBHxhjzO3BKHktRdrDes0YqYzmTvDo_TFnl2t9J0A8efCQwIemb3SrJ_sWpdieNhLaGeYWfSn0kOm8Hi8Sjtc0p6EK372eS7lgxoZ3ERICVfdBdqKwIo27Y5GdXHhc51ZVO/s1600/christmas+2+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3De3fZPwUVhBHxhjzO3BKHktRdrDes0YqYzmTvDo_TFnl2t9J0A8efCQwIemb3SrJ_sWpdieNhLaGeYWfSn0kOm8Hi8Sjtc0p6EK372eS7lgxoZ3ERICVfdBdqKwIo27Y5GdXHhc51ZVO/s320/christmas+2+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;">Merry Christmas, \Happy Holidays whatever you celebrate I hope you have fun.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; text-align: start;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cCzA8efgkUO0S5AYAAjT0W1DY13Z4q6YN-dRwBi5DRoq3yB3p13tdH6YhihUdlYkcqsKBArqkBgtR_Jbysq08pVDsOa7TSAVAHHTR-7Ou0SAO8oDttdy5qoyJ7KbHNmmbufhXUO6HbE0/s1600/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cCzA8efgkUO0S5AYAAjT0W1DY13Z4q6YN-dRwBi5DRoq3yB3p13tdH6YhihUdlYkcqsKBArqkBgtR_Jbysq08pVDsOa7TSAVAHHTR-7Ou0SAO8oDttdy5qoyJ7KbHNmmbufhXUO6HbE0/s640/Slide1.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></span><br />
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Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-44533917483508828472018-12-05T16:41:00.001-08:002018-12-05T16:41:17.531-08:00Fallen Angel<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I was tired of being, good, kind what did it get me;
but nothing in return. I had no money, no house to call my own and now no job. Redundancy it was still firing you and after I'd made the company prosper it didn't seem fair that the executives were now gutting the company and declaring bankruptcy. While they lined their pockets mine were now empty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> I decided to make a vow which I said aloud “No more
Miss Nice Girl.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Imagine my surprise when a creature in a black cloak
with no face appeared before me and demanded, “Come with me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Er, no,” I stated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Bravo, that’s the way to start your new resolve.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How do you know about that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I’ve been watching you in the shadows. You’re a very
interesting mortal.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I am a fallen angel. I’m hoping if I do enough, maybe
he’ll forgive me,” he answered, took off his cloak, showing a handsome face, “I
‘ll show you the good you’ve done over the years and what could happen if you
stop being nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"> Clasping my hand he showed me the good, the bad, and the
future. Everyone I knew was miserable and failing. How could I have made this much difference? Surely a few nice words and deeds couldn't have saved them from all this</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">?</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I don’t understand. The future is bad, if I’m not
nice.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s like this everything you do creates a ripple.
Your kindnesses over the years have helped many and turned lives around .You’ve
made a difference in so many lives.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Thank you, for intervening. I’ll pray for you,” I
said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Just continue to spread light and love and that will
be thanks enough.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My life changed that day I became happier and that
made people around me react positively. I have a new job a new home and a new
love, Bob. He likes my happy outlook and says it saves him from the big bad world we live in. I like myself better now and if someone treats me wrong I feel sorry fr them and then I feel better enough to project the image of me I like the best the happy go lucky me that makes the world feel like a better place. Try it you might even like it yourself.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: xx-small;">©Sheilagh Lee December 5, 2018</span></span></div>
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Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-50131277558857365552018-12-02T08:06:00.002-08:002018-12-02T08:06:55.076-08:00Happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends and Blog Followers<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Happy Hanukkah to all my Jewish friends and Blog Followers</b></i></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Hanukkah festival of lights<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Candles burning bright</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Nine-branched Menorah <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">One candle each night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">And one extra to light<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">The fight they won<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">The temple purified<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">A miracle performed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">As wicks burned on<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Eight days with oil<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">For one long night<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">It burnt so bright<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Commemorated each year<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">To remember the gift<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Of the single brilliant light<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Burning so long so bright<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Three blessings said<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Three blessings given<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Two each night after<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Giving thanks to the eternal King<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Our lord God is everything<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "lucida calligraphy"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Happy Hanukkah<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "arial";"><b><br /></b></span></em></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><b>© Sheilagh Lee December 16,2014</b></span></em></div>
Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-65535628752832679482018-11-26T12:51:00.003-08:002018-11-26T12:51:58.534-08:00Angel of Thanksgiving<div style="text-align: center;">
Angel of Thanksgiving<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> Cold grey, the sun has given way to dark ominous
snow clouds, suiting my mood. I should be wishing for sunflowers, warm sunny
days with picnics instead I’m sheltering under a bridge from the cold. Losing
my apartment and my job, my life was pulled a part like the wishbone of a
turkey, but it was not a wishbone it was the semblance of a life that I’d tried
to put together after my service in Iraq. The day before Thanksgiving, no
wonder I was thinking of turkey. Hungry and cold; maybe I’d freeze to death tonight
I thought and no one would care. </span></div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I snuggled into the trestles of the bridge wrapping
newspaper as a blanket around me and closed my eyes. I awoke looking into the
face of an angel. Her blonde hair tucked under a red wool cap, a black woollen
coat en- wrapping her, she offered a man’s coat and hat to me saying, ”Here,
stay warm. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">My name is Jennifer and we’re serving dinner at the
shelter .Will you please come?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> I wanted to say no; but my head nodded and I followed
her and the other homeless who had been invited. The dinner was incredible turkey with all the fixings, even my favorite marshmallow yams. When I was done they offered me pumpkin pie. Jennifer offered me shelter for the night and convinced me to stay at the shelter. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Jenny saved me that day helped
me get the help I needed at the VA and now we have a baby. I was right the
first time Jenny was and still is an angel helping those in need and I work
long side her sharing my experience to help others .Thank God for people like my
Jenny who reach out to those who need it.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "rockwell extra bold"; font-size: xx-small;">©Sheilagh Lee November 26, 2018</span></span></div>
<br />Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-556919164047874017.post-20215979438525268622018-11-19T12:33:00.001-08:002018-11-19T12:33:13.117-08:00Outfoxed<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Why have you
brought me here?” I asked my uncle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“It’s a
beautiful autumn day in the forest; can’t you enjoy it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This is all an
illusion. It’s not autumn and the light is all wrong. How long have I been in
this room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“This is a
forest, not a room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Let it go Uncle
Damien.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“You’ve passed
the test, Seraphina.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How long have I
been here?’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“How did you discern
that in two minutes?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I answered by
changing the autumn forest to a wintry scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Amazing, but
you’re only fifteen who taught you to do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“No one taught
me. I’ve been able to enter people’s minds since I was five.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“Enter people’s
minds? That’s how you create the illusion?” Uncle Damien stated looking unhappy
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I quickly erased
the conversation about how I created illusions from his mind and let him think
that the illusion was a fluke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“I think you
need to move in with me so I can teach you how to do illusions safely and
simply,” Uncle Damien declared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I just smiled
and nodded. It would make my teen years so much easier to live with Uncle
Damien my parents suspected my abilities were much more than they thought and
it was becoming harder to fool them. I’d be able to do anything I wanted living
with Uncle Damien. Last week I moved in Uncle Damien fooled me. He knew what I
was up to all the time I might as well be in teen jail. This was no fun now I'd have to learn the way Uncle Damien wanted me to. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Rockwell Extra Bold";"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">©Sheilagh Lee November 19, 2018</span></span>Sheilagh Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13741333943021570641noreply@blogger.com0