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Excellent post, Claire, and you’ve made me realize that how we define the absence after death is something I want to come back to in my own writing. I agree that Marie’s book is well worth reading, and I appreciate hearing about the Iyer books. (I’ve read one of his—can’t think of the title right now—and loved it.) My condolences to you and your family —it’s so hard to be far away at times like this.

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Thanks so much, Cheryl. I’m glad to hear my musings resonate.

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Beautiful post, Claire. There's a real bridging happening here, and it's heart-opening to read.

"I would read awe-inspiring haiku and let my tears drop between Issa’s dew. I would seek out my loved ones’ echoes in quiet places of beauty. And I would open myself to the possibility of a reunion—a dialogue, an image, a sense of connection. I might even clap my hands at a shinto shrine to let the kami know I had arrived. I would let my belief and disbelief comfortably coexist." So much love and healing in the mystery.

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Thank you for reading, Jessica, and for your generous words. I'm sure you have a lot to say about the subject as well.

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Good to discover you, Claire. I thought you might enjoy my travel podcast, "e-travels with e. trules". It's available on my Substack Homepage and also here: https://erictrules.com/grazing-with-camels/

Please let me know what u think.

Best,

Trules

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Thank you! Good to connect here indeed.

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Thank you for reminding us that spirits of the dead do visit the living.

Indeed, some may even stay helping us navigate the maze of daily living.

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Yes. When I remain exceptionally calm on a difficult moment, I think I can contribute that to my father.

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