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Diana Folsom's avatar

Will you have time to meet up for a cup of tea before you move? Or I can just drop by and bring you a cuppa... I am feeling the bittersweet elements of this moment in your life that you communicate so well. I find myself wanting to grab a brief personal moment with you because we in Tulsa will miss your presence.

Although I was saddened to read about the range of critical reactions people have had to your beautiful self - there was some balance with the huge feeling of joy I felt when I saw your wedding pictures. Tom's sweet face and the way he clearly understands and loves you touched me deeply. In the photos he also looks like he is a person who has released himself from expectations and accepts life's adventures with a peaceful heart. I think you will be able to take time for solitude when you need it in your new life together.

Sending you love and thanks for this blog and for sharing what's in your heart.

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Oh Diana, thank you. Your words are generous and kind. Yes, let’s find a time for coffee! So much has happened with both of us in the last few years… let’s find a time to connect

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Diana Folsom's avatar

Ah, wonderful! These last few years have certainly been filled with a wide range of rather intense life stuff! What might work for you? I have some new challenges during the weekdays but I can make time to stop by or meet up after work or on the weekend. How much longer will you be around?

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Lakshmi Sharath's avatar

Gosh I really feel like this was talking to me.. Going through the same roller coaster of emotions

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Lakshmi, I hope you have the space, time, and compassion for yourself to sit with all of it.

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Kathy Glennon's avatar

Thanks for sharing. Complex emotions…ugh….

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jennifernself@gmail.com's avatar

Can you have both Oklahoma and Idaho? My Tom and I have both. Right now Tom is in Idaho at his house and I am in Carolina at my house. He has his Idaho and I have my solitude. Or, sometimes we are both in Idaho and then we are both in Carolina. Tom quit his Idaho job in order to be in both places. And I can work remote so can work wherever. You and I both have our Idaho Tom’s. But can you have Oklahoma too? If not, I have an awesome guest house here in Carolina. It is warm, humid, in a park of huge trees, and your favorite - geckos! In case you ever need to get the hell out of Idaho as I did and have some solitude.

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Thank you, Jennifer. Your guest house sounds lovely. And - Italy is my "other". It makes sense not to be in Oklahoma any more (my lease is up, why pay for 2 rents, etc). I'm sure we'll figure it out, and, like I said, I have Sicily. (I'm going back for a quick 2 weeks in November by myself). On another note... I just received a traffic violation from our Feb trip to Orvieto. ugh. It came with a registered mail return-receipt requested. Big bucks. I'll text you later - can't remember what the end story was on yours.

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Peggy Weaver's avatar

Beautifully written. Thank you.

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Jan Peppler's avatar

Thank you, Peggy

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Mary's avatar

You have every right to feel the way you do about Tulsa. You have grown roots and to uproot is painful because you are leaving a part of yourself behind, whether it’s a seed or a leaf. This is the place that you got Maize. Where she gave birth to 5 beautiful babies and where we got to come and get 2 of them. You were looking for a place to call home and you found it in Tulsa. There is a whole new chapter for you to create and grow with Tom and I think the best is yet to come. You have someone to share the good and the bad with and especially someone that loves you for who you are and won’t try to change you. You are an amazing woman and I wish that I could be more like you.

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Jan Peppler's avatar

oh Mary, thank you. Your words are kind, insightful, and even poetic. Tulsa will always be dear to me. So many good memories, not the least of which is Mazie and her pups and your visit to pick up two of them!! Next visit: Sicily!! Abbracci!

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