145 Comments

Very much enjoyed reading this - what a wonderful relationship to cherish.

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Thanks, Sue. I cherish it indeed!

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As do I.

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That’s a lovely story…a thing that makes Substack so worth it. Thanks for sharing! x

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Thank you! Substack is a great place to meet exceptional readers and to write about them!

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Also a good point: for Substack to be successful, it needs exceptional readers as well as exceptional writers! The dialogue between the two, provides the ‘glue’. Methinks!

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Truly lovely!

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Thanks, Vicki!

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Loved this, Claire. Everyone could use a writing angel like this.

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Thanks, Robyn. A writing angel—that’s a lovely term! Robin surely has some angelic qualities!

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Sometimes those behind the scenes are what truly make the magic happen! Lovely post!

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Yes! I guess I wanted to put Robin in the spotlight and let everyone know how much she means to me.

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One person can change everything!😍

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The feelings are mutual. Xo

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Thank you, Robin ❤️

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What a lovely article. Reading: “I believe that there are invisible threads that bind some of us to one another and you and I have a very strong one,” she later wrote'. Made me all teary 🥺 that's so sweet. I love how writing can bring people together like that.

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Writing can be very powerful like that indeed. I got teary, too, when I read those words. It’s a gift you don’t receive everyday.

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Really moving, and I think more hopeful than I'd imagined. Because Robin is referred to in the past tense throughout and has serious health issues, I was fully expecting a sad ending - but seems not? Is she OK and still connected?

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Oh! I never meant to make it sound as though she is no longer here. She is and we are still connected. Thank you for your concern. Her health is still precarious but she is a very strong spirit.

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I am still here and gratefully connected to Claire!

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Glorious! Thank you Claire and Robin

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Thank you 🙏🏼

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It is so lovely to hear about the bond you formed through your writing and travels!

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Awesome! While reading this piece, I felt I was seated beside Robin, both of us asking questions about the places you visited. Brava!

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Yeah! The more the merrier! I truly like taking people on my journeys—it makes everything more intense.

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What a lovely thought.

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As I mentioned in my Restack...Claire, you paint such a beautiful portrait of Robin. . .and your travels. For me, connecting via words is so...luscious! Reminds me of blogging in the early 2000s.

Glad to have discovered you in the SmallStack and look forward to reading more. 🙏🏻💙💚🦋

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Thank you for sharing, Michelle, and for your kind words. Glad to be connected here.

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This was absolutely beautiful.

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Thanks so much, Susan!

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Robin is such an amazing woman and perfect reader. Now I will begin following you too! What adventures! I am also mostly homebound so you will have another vicarious traveler.

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That’s wonderful, Laurel. Welcome on board!

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What a beautiful story, thank you for sharing it! 💜

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Thanks, Janine!

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Oof. This has me in joyful tears. What a beautiful and amazing connection. I’ve made so many unexpected friends here, through taking a chance with my newsletter, and I feel grateful for your story. And for the stories of the people that share their lives here.

It really does feel like a community, each of us cobblestones connecting on a path that is multi-dimensional and without end.

Thank you for this wondrous writing.

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Thank you! I love your metaphor! Cobblestones in Dutch is “kinderkopjes,” which means “little children’s heads.” And yes, writers are very much like children’s heads.

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Oh! I love love love this! Like putting our heads together on the path! Thank you for this delightful language-sharing moment!

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Wonderful

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What a beautiful image, cobblestones connecting on a path. Thank you.

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Oh my goodness! Robin! Hello! It is lovely to meet you, and I’m so grateful to have read the beautiful story of your and Claire’s friendship.

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With gratitude and appreciation to Claire for this window opening into a magnificent mutually empowering friendship♥️♥️♥️🙏

Robin Flicker is the generous, curious, open hearted reader we all wait to find us. She is also the embodiment of the special reader we can be for each other on our writing journeys. I have been so blessed to be meeting readers and writers like this since coming to Substack just three (!) months ago. I owe you all a proper thank-you post!

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I’m so happy to hear that you have found some exceptional readers already. It felt wonderful for me to write this tribute.

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What I meant to really highlight, the most important insight for me over the past few months is how valuable (and fun!) it is to read and share comments on other people’s work and building new relationships. In a world full of noise, I think giving someone your full attention is truly a gift, one that keeps giving in a non-market cycle of exchange♥️

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Yes. I agree. Attention is a gift.

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I agree. There is a quotation by Thich Nhat Han that says something like “the most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.”

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Thank you for your warm words 🙏🏼❤️

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