24 Comments
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Valerie Pollard's avatar

you've captured so well the poignancy of every single thing; made that much worse as one ages. But, out of it all, there is nothing harder than looking at a couch which always had indentations from the beloved dogs who rested there. That I can not stand.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Brutal.

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Tiffanie's avatar

Oh Marjie. I don't know what to say, but your writing is powerful.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you. ❤️

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eskiedoc's avatar

It hurts to read this.

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Char Wilkins's avatar

Only 970 words over the desired 500, but every word worth it. Would that we knew how to leave.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

That’s the hardest thing.

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Jane's avatar

Holy frijole. I’m so gobsmacked I can’t even find the words to express how moved I was. Is there a sentient being who can’t relate to some aspect? The rich nostalgia of memories. The recognition of fortunate friends. The poignancy of aging out of activities we once loved. But goldarnit Marjie, then you do what you have always done. You face up to your needs and those of the people you love and embrace the fucking hard choice. I only visited your home once for a long-ago gathering of dog walkers and trainers. I thought it would be a structured skill building event but instead it was classic Marjie community building. You continue to awe me.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

That was a fun evening! ❤️

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Mimi Nichter's avatar

Marjie, you've done it again, with grace and feeling, and a lot of words. I'm so glad you don't follow rules. Your piece makes me sad and happy that I have my home, cluttered as it is with moments of the past.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Hold on as long as you can.

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Rene Allen's avatar

Marjie, you tugged on my heartstrings. Hope you get through this okay -- its hard to have such an upheaval when hands hurt, and vertigo strikes and all the rest of the stuff associated with not being so young anymore.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

It truly is.

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Starling Roberts's avatar

The leaving is always the hardest part.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Truly

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David Nash's avatar

Sorry to hear, Marjie. You writing captures it so poignantly.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thank you.

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Lois Russell's avatar

It will always be Marjie's house to me when I walk the dogs... We sold our place in NH this summer and went through all these grieving moments. But life goes on.... even when a new owner turns your house into a raspberry.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

That fucking raspberry…

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Dana McDonald's avatar

I can't think of anything to say. All I can do is sit here and FEEL...

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Kind of the same, really.

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Andrea Eschen's avatar

OUCH, Marjie. I'm so sorry to hear you'll leave that beloved house that has meant so much to you and your family for so many years. I hope you can pack up and carry with you the love, pleasure, and laughter, as well as the pains, to your new place. It too will soon provide its own set of experiences and memories, though very different. Accepting this stage of life and its changes is really tough. But you are really tough too and I know that in time you'll make the best of it. Sending love and strength as you empty drawers and shelves.

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Marjie Alonso's avatar

Thanks. Love to you and happy crazy US Thanksgiving

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Andrea Eschen's avatar

Same to you!

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