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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
REMOVAL
Morning sun shoots burnished orange and golden flames across the horizon as I help Elisi gather wild onions. She’ll cook them with eggs, Cherokee style.
As we dig our fingers in the moist dirt, she tells me ancestral stories.
“My grandfather grew up in Georgia. A good life.”
“If it was so good, why’d they move to Oklahoma?”
“They had no choice, Unisi. Our people walked a thousand miles, some without shoes. My great-grandmother died, giving birth.” Tears trail Elisi’s wrinkled cheek. “President Jackson claimed it was to keep us out of harm’s way.
“Don’tcha mean out of his way?”
***
Elisi is Cherokee for Grandmother and Unisi means granddaughter.
*Cherokee, Creek, Choctaw, Chickasaw and Seminole had by the early 19th century begun to assimilate into Anglo-American culture. We can’t change history, but perhaps we can make our grandchildren’s history a sweeter memory.
If you have 17 minutes to spare to learn more CLICK HERE.
***
And if you have a little more time click the portrait below to listen to my latest interview with Jimmy Leonard and learn the reasons behind the painting. Thank you.
Always learning something new with you Rochelle!
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Thank you for such high praise, Trish! 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I was just coming here to the comments to say the same! 🙂
Rochelle, Queen of Edutainment!
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Dear Peter,
Edutainment. I like that word. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A less than impressive page in your country’s history, m’lady.
Expertly and concisely presented, as always
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Dear CE,
There are many dark pages in history, aren’t there? We should not forget…or try to whitewash those pages. 😦 Thank you for your glowing words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great way to look into the past, now I feel bad for them.
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Dear DW,
One thing about history…even when it’s painful, it’s good to remember. It’s how we know what we’re made of. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I fear we don’t learn much from history, displacement is still going on in different shapes and forms. Sad shame really.
Smooth writing again Rochelle 😀
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Dear Tanille,
The present situation shouts that we’ve learned nothing from history. Whitewashing it changes nothing but certainly opens the door to repeat it IMHO.
Thank you re my writing. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great description of the morning sun, and the “tears trail” was a clever echo
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Dear Neil,
I’m glad you caught the tears. It was deliberate.Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nicely done with a great, important point as always.
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Thank you, Tony. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Out of harm’s way or out of his way?
Very pertinent observation.
Selfish people always use such cloak for their interests claiming they are for the other party’s good!
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Dear Anita,
The annuls of history are littered with selfish people, aren’t they? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Trail of Tears – nice how you worked that in. Great story, as always.
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Dear Trent,
Kudos to you for being an astute reader. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’ve been reading about President Jackson after the protesters tried to pull his statue down. By all accounts he did some terrible things, especially viewed from today’s perspective, but was viewed as a hero at the time by many. Although I’m not sure about tearing down the statue, it would be better if people were educated and could see things in different shades of grey rather than simply black and white terms.
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Dear Iain,
Personally, I’m horrified by what’s going on in an attempt to erase history. What’s done is done and we should learn from it, not negate it IMHO. For this same reason abandoned Auschwitz still stands as a reminder. I’m all for education. We shouldn’t forget what was done to minorities in this country. In the Native Americans’ case, resident majority when the whites came. Jackson was still a US president. Tearing down his statue doesn’t change that fact. Thank you for reading, commenting and getting me going. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I made the exact same point about Auschwitz while discussing the removal of statues and vandalism here in the UK. In Glasgow the streets are named after the tobacco merchants who built the city – their wealth came from slave plantations in the Americas, and there is a campaign to rename the streets and remove statues – but I agree, this will not change what has happened and will only serve to hide it, rather than expose and learn from it.
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It’s insane, isn’t it? People in St. Louis, Missouri are petitioning to rename the city. Gimme a break. You can’t change history by whitewashing it and only acknowledging the parts you like. 😦
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The Trail of Tears ranks right up there with Wounded Knee as a blight on decisions made that were shameful and unnecessary. Great story, and thanks for the video and painting, too. So interesting.
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Dear Linda,
I watched a longer video but didn’t think anyone would want to devote an hour to it. So many blights on American history and American present. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The trail of tears was one of many, alas. My high school American History teacher had us tuck the McGraw Hill books under our desks and gave us each a copy of Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee. “This,” he said, “is the REAL history of the United States.” I never forgot it. Well done.
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Dear Josh,
Kudos to your American history teacher. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The Trail Of Tears was a terrible ordeal to go through. I wonder how much we have learned from this lesson though. Many of the Indian Reservations have the worse poverty in America., Many without running water or electricity. We still have a long way to go. A great story M’Luv.
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Dear Jan,
I fear history has taught us nothing much. 😦 Thank you, m’luv.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just lately they seem to want us to turn a blind eye to the terrible things that went before by pulling down statues and more. A timely piece Rochelle.
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Dear Keith,
Pulling down statues won’t negate or change history, will it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It will not.
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Tearing down statues of ‘fallen heroes’ will not help the cause of the just.Let it stand, warts and all for future generations to know, learn, and thereby desist from committing the crimes perpetrated by their not so illustrious forefathers. Another beautiful historical lesson written in your very own delightfully inimitable style, Rochelle.
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Dear Neel,
How beautifully said! It should be shouted from the mountaintops. Thank you re my story, too. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
As always, you have skillfully given us a history lesson within a beautifully told story. I loved the description of the morning sun and you were more than a little smart in including that tear trail into the story. Brilliant you. And, by the way, I watched the 17-minute video. Our countries have done horrid things,
Shalom and lotsa happy-tear love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
I’m glad you watched the video, I’d love it if everyone would. Glad you caught the trail of tears within the story. 😉 Brilliant you. Our countries have done horrid things indeed. Thank you.
Shalom and lotsa plain ole hugs,
Rochelle
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Yeah, me too.
Uh huh…(thanks, Trent 😉)
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My friend –
History is full of stories that need to be remembered, not torn down and forgotten. Good story.
Shalom,
Ronda
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Dear Ronda,
Well said, my friend. Well said indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A salutary tale underlining the benefit of history. How are we to learn if we don’t start by learning how not to treat others? Always something to make the reader reflect, Rochelle.
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Dear Sandra,
If only we did learn. Sigh. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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good history~
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Thank you, Larry.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yeah, “…out of ‘his’ way.” The trail of tears. I see that folks are trying to bring down Andrew Jackson’s statue. This is another reason to do it. I’m part Choctaw, by the way. Not a lot, but it’s there. Great story, Rochelle!
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Dear Eric,
I have mixed feelings about pulling down statues. Auschwitz is left standing as a reminder. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. Yes, it was definitely to get them out of the way of those who were not satisfied with the stealing and appropriating and slaughter they’d done to the Native Americans and were hellbent on robbing those whose home it’s been for centuries, from the last bit of connection they had to the land. It was deliberately cruel. As we know racism and hate and loss of moral compass in colonialism often promoted. How sad. How important to share the stories of it. Thank you!
I took mine to a very very different mood …
xoxo
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
I hope in some small ways my stories do some good. Thank you, my friend for your encouraging words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I KNOW they do. xoxo
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☺️😘🤟🏻
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Dear Rochelle,
I love your art. Your heart, too.
Yours,
Doug
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Dear Doug,
Many thanks, my forever friend. 💕
Shalom and love x2,
Rochelle
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I like how the simple act of collecting eggs together bring the characters into a deep and serious conversation.
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Dear Gabriella,
Thank you for such an affirming comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, I like how you worked the “Trail of Tears” into your story. The depth of darkness done by humans against each other knows no bounds. There is no darkness without light and those who generate light are challenged more now than ever.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
What an astute reader you are. 😉 I’m glad you caught the trail of tears. I don’t understand man’s capacity for such cruelty to one another. Nor do I understand racism. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Lovely stuff Rochelle, I’m constantly inspired by your pieces, factual stuff is hard to do, you’ve got the knowledge!
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Dear Shrawley,
At the very least I have search engines at my finger tips. 😉 Happy to inspire in any event. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Damn Indians shouldn’t have been on our land in the first place. (That’s sarcasm!)
It’s a travesty the way native people have been treated by “more civilized” settlers throughout human history. I hope someday we “grow up” as a species.
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Dear Nobbin,
The terrible irony in the case of the Cherokee is that they were doing quite well assimilating into Western society, doing things the white man’s way. And we see how that worked for them, don’t we?
A person I know recently said, “We’re an Anglo society.” Seriously? Nuff said.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story, Rochelle and a painful reminder of what so many have suffered at the hands of others. And I learned a bit of Cherokee too. I watched the video. Very interesting and heartbreaking. Kudos to Davy Crockette, Ralph Waldo Emerson and others who spoke out against the removal of an entire people, rightfully described as ethnic cleansing. Such a travesty. Thanks for sharing this and as others mentioned, I love the way you worked “trail of tears” into your story.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
Too bad we’re so bent on erasing negative history that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of hope for the future. Thank you for such a beautiful comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Yes. History, good or bad, is still History and should not be erased. It’s there for us to learn and to change and to get things right. It’s the only way for a future with hope. You’re welcome 🙂
Shalom,
Adele
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it still remains a story of our times although characters and circumsntnces may have changed.
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Sad but true, Plaridel.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yep, that last line says it all. Nice one!
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Thank you, Ali. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It seems some had good reasons for wanting the statue of Andrew Jackson in Washington DC to be pulled down. Good writing, Rochelle. —– Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Nonetheless, I’m not sure statues and monuments should be destroyed. Put them in a museum with explanations of the sad histories. Erasing history will accomplish nothing other than paving the way for a precarious future. IMHO. Thank you re my writing.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You do historical fiction so well Rochelle. Always interesting and heart-warming to read 🙂
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Thank you for your lovely and affirming comments, Joy. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Your story reminds us of the oppression suffered under the policies of certain national ‘heroes’. And that the history of a nation is not confined to one race.
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Dear Fatima,
There are so many colorful (in more ways than one) heroes in history. If only we could embrace each other in acknowledging that. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. Funny thing was while I was reading yours I was thinking about how everyone was writing about eggs. Yours started out that way but focused more on the people. (From the first time I saw this picture I kept thinking they were oranges in the picture, hahaha, great eye sight right?) Anyhow I had to go reread yours because I was thought yours was saying they looked like onions and I was like “ah ha! someone else who thinks they aren’t eggs.” Well, I reread yours and looked at the picture again and felt so silly because obviously it is eggs. I had “seen” the carton like a piece of metal. Anyhow, I don’t know if that makes any sense but it made me laugh. Have a great day!
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Dear Christine,
Your comment makes me laugh. But then it’s all about what the writer sees in the photo. 😉 At any rate I’m glad you read my story more than once. I never like to write a literal take on the prompt. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Loved the descriptive and lyrical opening paragraph. History is littered with injustices but it seems that we still haven’t learnt anything. Injustice still prevails around the world, tearing down statues is tokenism that achieves nothing.
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Dear Subroto,
History is just that, history. Tearing down statues doesn’t change it. Perhaps the monuments should be moved to museums with a plaque telling the history. But then, I agree, I think there are too many ignoring the history’s lessons. Thank you re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Colonialists treated many First Nations abonimably, and are still doing so. My white skin is an accident of birth, not a mark of superiority.
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Dear Liz,
Would that everyone saw skin color that way.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, The Trail of Tears! What mankind does to mankind is so often appalling! Sometimes I wonder why “kind” is attached to “man”. Well told tale.
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Dear Lish,
I agree about mankind. Kind need not apply in too many cases. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“Don’tcha mean out of his way?” I wish more people could see this clearly.
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Dear Genia,
I agree. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the way you brought this event to life…There have been far far too many such marches over the centuries.
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Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like your take on the prompt Rochelle. And always some history involved. Very interesting and enjoyable!
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Dear Shelley,
I do enjoy history. Thank you for your sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well written, Rochelle
Ugh people are just horrible, and historically simply awful. You always bring these moments to light in such a clear way. We should never forget.
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Dear Laurie,
Sad but true. Thank you re my story. No, we shouldn’t forget.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s difficult to forget bitter past. Beautiful story 🙂
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Many thanks, Moumita. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Here is my entry:
https://mmastorytime.com/2020/06/26/flash-fiction-trying-not-to-crack/
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Hi MMA,
I’ve added your story to the inLinkz. Putting it in my comment section is probably going to limit your readers to one.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Shoot! Thank you! I forget about that InLinkz thing.
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I know there are a few facilitators who keep connected by having people leave their links. I prefer the inLinkz to keep my comment section free for comments on my posts.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful story and I like the “trail of tears” reference woven in there. I’m part Choctaw so this is something I’ve learned about throughout life. I always hated how our history books left a paragraph or two to Native American history and the trail of tears then that was it. Truly, the “winners” write history and that’s perhaps why we see people wanting to tear down statues. It’s not an attempt to negate the history or forget it but because in hindsight the people we have been taught were the winners and writers of our history have intentionally set in place systems that will forever keep some behind and leave them to be forgotten.
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Dear Kelley,
History has definitely been written and well-edited by the victors, hasn’t it? I hate that, too. Thank you for sharing your insights. Glad you caught the trail of tears reference. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well you know I really enjoy these little snapshots of lesser known history, (at least to me) Rochelle and you haven’t disappointed this time either. Thanks
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Dear Michael,
I’m always happy to oblige. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Being forced to leave home permanently and walk a thousand miles… how horrifying. Sensitively told, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
It’s a sad chapter in American history, isn’t it? Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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History is in your soul, Rochelle and seeps out in your writing!
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Thank you for such a lovely compliment, Sabina. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
I was here and left to see your interview.
You were great. Adorable, as always.
This is an interesting story you’ve written about an event in history.
I think history has always affected someone throughout time.
Busy, busy, busy this past week so I missed writing. BTW … I had no clue those were eggs.
I realized it after I read a few stories. LOLOL Now … I could create a story. Too late, no time.
Keep on Keeping on, mi amiga.
Be safe … Be Healthy … Be Happy 😍
Isadora 😎
ps – no mid-west accent? lol
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Querida Isadora,
My father was from Brooklyn NY and my mother from St. Louis MO. I guess that’s why I avoided the Midwest twang. It makes me happy you noted that. 😉
Entiendo “busy.”
It’s so important to remember history, no matter how disturbing. I fear those who would try to erase it. Gracias por sus palabras.
Paz y abrazos, mis amiga. Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
Well … Well … Well … that you be an interesting story to read. I don’t think 100 words would be enough. Perhaps, a memoir. MMmmm … glad I put a smile on your face with my noticing. 😍😄😍
I know. I’m busier now with the quarantine then before. LOL
Abrazos y Carino, 😍
Isadora 😎
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