31 Comments
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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Steve,

I can honestly say I am grateful to be in this era alongside others like you. I share your values. Today feels heavy, somber. It's also interesting to me that we celebrate and honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today. And it's my son's sixth birthday. A reminder to me that all that's wrong with the world somehow melds with all that is still right. And that as writers, our responsibility is to show up and tell the truth. I will honor that commitment.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

Happy 6 to the little guy!

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Jeannie Ewing's avatar

Thanks, Steve!

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Britt(on) Minor's avatar

I don’t know how you did it (yes I do), but you’ve got me biting back tears in a public space. Thanks for thawing my numb nausea, for reminding me to lean toward the light and grow. Good luck with the poppies!

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Steve Edwards's avatar

We are in this together! ❤️

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Annie P's avatar

Watched from inside as my husband braved below zero cold to pour seed in the feeders this afternoon. I thought this is good, this is what we can do.

How grateful your bluebirds will be.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

That is a lovely thought indeed.

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Lynne Wyness's avatar

I watch as my husband does that too. Always makes me feel warm and fuzzy. 🥰

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Jessica David's avatar

Sow wildly and bravely. Thank you for these beautiful words.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

🙏🙏

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Juliette's avatar

"Inside the seeds of our tiniest actions are the flowers of hope. Sow wildly, my friends, if only to remind the rest of us how." Thank you for this. Much needed today.

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MelodyDodge's avatar

It is so good to hear such words. We will need to resist despair and be busy with rekindling hope, wonder and love. Thank you for planting thoughts as beautiful as white poppies.

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The Root Word's avatar

What I needed this morning. what I’ve been feeling as well. But I also needed the hard reminder that the world, my backyard, my white rose that won’t bloom, don’t owe me a thing. Thank you, Steve. Gardening as medicine and metaphor for these times. Work (and hope?) I’ve struggled with my poppy plants, our state flower. I hope yours bloom.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

They are such beauties! We shall see. At least now they have a chance.

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Allison Moore's avatar

Thank you for this. I have been thinking a lot about what I can do instead of spending the next four years in a constant state of outrage. I refuse to do it, even when faced with a steady stream of the outrageous. "What I plan to resist this time are my own feelings of powerlessness and helplessness. When I indulge in those things, I do his work for him. I do their work, really. The sad, sick lot of them. Those who would weaponize hate, fear, and misinformation, in order to profit from it and savor the suffering of others. To the extent I can, I refuse to do their work for them."

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Patricia Henley's avatar

Thank you, Steve.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

❤️❤️ Probably learned this from you in our very first class together. You asked us all: “What’s something you’ve always struggled with?”

I said, “Happiness.”

You said, “Have you ever tried volunteering at a homeless shelter?”

& a door opened.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

What a beautiful and powerful piece! It brought tears to my eyes. We all can’t just give up now.

Thank you for this!

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Lisa Jensen's avatar

This is lovely and so appreciated!

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Steve Edwards's avatar

🙏🙏

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Mary Dansak's avatar

Excellent Steve. Now I will reread.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

😂😂🙏🙏

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Ashley@Briefly's avatar

beautifully written!

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Amy Clark's avatar

I've been dreading tomorrow for the past two months. Thank you for giving me something a bit more hopeful to focus on when I wake up in the morning, on what feels like a very dark day.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

Definitely a dark day & I’ve been dreading it too.

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sarahjane's avatar

Thank you, Steve. I've been fretting all day trying to imagine what I can do now that the worst is upon us. Do let us know/see how your wife's poppies turn out and, if you would like, your readers can send you pictures of what has happened to what we put our efforts towards.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

This is a lovely idea! Will do.

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Kathy Fish's avatar

Thanks for this. It's how I feel too. It's a very different vibe this time.

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Steve Edwards's avatar

It really is. I’m rooting for us all.

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