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Jennice Cottle-writer's avatar

My family and I were victims of Hurricane Sandy. FEMA paid for our hotel stay. We were put in a lovely hotel right around the corner from the where the new Year's ball is dropped. We spent Christmas and New Year's there and even though my mom had a mild heart attack, it was a beautiful time and we made some crazy memories

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Marc Typo's avatar

Appreciate you for sharing, Jennice. A beautiful thread in the midst of hardship 💜

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Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

:sigh: So often, when I'm frustrated by one of the stupid hassles life throws at us, and I give in to the temptation to be whiny, I am met with a "teachable moment," a giant perspective shifter. Thanks for sharing a beautifully written reminder, Marc. Also, though, I'm sure that electrician appreciated you extending him grace for the delay. I'm glad you were able to do that.

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Marc Typo's avatar

Of all the electricians that could of came to do some work on the house, I really believe this one was sent for a reasonn.

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Justin Deming's avatar

This is such an important reminder, Marc. Beautiful post and description of your exchange with the other man! That was touching.

Strange timing, but just a few hours ago I was chatting with a friend about this very topic. (She lost power this past weekend.) To have clean water/electricity/a roof over our heads is so easy to overlook, but the moment one or all of these is taken away, it can be eye-opening.

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Marc Typo's avatar

It's like getting a cold and not being able to breathe through your nose. How easily the smallest things we take for granted *takes deep breath*

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Deirdre Lewis's avatar

So many associations, big and small, with the word power. But it seems like the small moments and experiences hold the kind I love most. Beautiful.

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Janine Agoglia's avatar

What a beautiful essay, Marc. The power of gratitude and noticing and appreciating what you have when you have it is incredible. Even when we are frustrated with a specific situation, there is always something to be grateful for. I am grateful that my kids are alive and safe. Even through struggles, gratitude lifts us up.

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Marc Typo's avatar

Gratitude indeed. I was looking as something as small as the leaves falling off the tree. A reminder how they will be right back and green in their splendor. Sometimes the reminders we need are just right outside our window.

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Ramya Vivekanandan's avatar

Beautiful essay, Marc! Short but powerful (no pun intended)

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Marc Typo's avatar

Appreciate you, Ramya.

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YK's avatar

Da@@ bro, brought a tear to my eye.

Time that comes to mind is catching up with a friend from back in the day, they were 100 lbs more of whom they were with trac marks along their forearms and at this point 1 year sober and couldnt have been more proud of them at the same time cognizant of my luck.

I feel like games like the impression game make anything feel like a vacation. Like if Marc was a type of weather (insert category of choosing) what type of weather would they be, and this with whomever with, familiar or strangers.

As always appreciate your vulnerability and truth 🌹

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Marc Typo's avatar

I love how games can make us all feel at home. Last week, Maya and I stacked some of Myles' blocks up and each tried to hit them down while making sure ours didn't fall down. It's really the small things!

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Elder Notes's avatar

This was beautiful. Thx u for these stories. I would feel like I was on vacation if I had my husband who’s been gone for almost 3 years & all my boys. 🙏🫡

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Marc Typo's avatar

Feel all of that. Reminds me to hold the people I have now a little harder.

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Hillary Easom's avatar

Even though I saw it coming — the “power” wordplay — I had no idea how you were going to do it. You got me. Writing through tears.

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Karen Wesley's avatar

Through tears of a mother of sons, I thank you for this one. ♥️

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Noha Beshir's avatar

I love the way you played with power and power in this essay. And the contrast of what it looks good to have (that shiny truck! ) vs the real gifts. I grapple with so much of that too, as you know.

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Wellyna's avatar

1. We just closed on a house yesterday in a new city after years of praying and dreaming. Living in a dream come true right now.

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Amy Brown's avatar

I enjoyed this essay, Marc. Beautiful reflection on how these ordinary events and exchanges with other people can be life-changing when we look deeper, when we are vulnerable enough to share our humanity with each other. We may have no power but we have each other.

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Switter’s World's avatar

Okay, Marc. You really got me with this one. As soon as the onion fumes leave the room, I'm going to call my giant-sized Myles way up in Canada and tell him how much I love him. I did it yesterday, but that was yesterday. He FaceTimed me on Friday evening for an hour or so, but that was Friday evening.

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