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Holly Baker's avatar

I find such peace and hope in your posts, the perfect antidote for the angst and noise that threatens to overwhelm. When I was teaching “Fellowship” I used to ask my kids if they were ready to escape to Middle Earth for awhile. Thanks for being my bridge to The Shire this morning.

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JRR Jokien's avatar

I'm so sorry for the late reply to this, but I'm so glad to hear this! That's a wonderful way to ask kids if they'd like to read LOTR: I may just have to borrow it for my own :)

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Atticus Maricle's avatar

This is a beautiful discussion and conclusion and has done good things in my journey of processing my own role in my development as a human. Thanks for writing!

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Vimal Patel's avatar

Thanks man. The seed and the garden analogy gave me quite a few ideas.

So, Jokien with Tolkien is a certified banger.

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Mark Armstrong's avatar

"So tend the garden of your life in hope. Yes, there are forces both within our hearts and without in the world that we cannot control. But that is not the end of the story. We have a part to play and a garden to tend."

What a closer!! This has just become my favorite among all the posts of yours I've read. Tolkien's words and your own commentary are the best (and most hopeful) reflection on Nature vs. Nurture I've ever read.

Beautiful!-- thanks for sharing!! 🙏😊

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