29 Comments
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Clancy Steadwell's avatar

I hope that people read my stories and feel good and know the world is good, even though it seems bad.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

So far, you are accomplishing just that, Clancy.

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Karen Kenworthy's avatar

Such a good question, Sharron. Btw I missed seeing posts from you the last few days. In your writing, you’re definitely doing a good!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, sweetheart! I post only on Wednesdays and Saturdays -- four short bits a week. I appreciate your comments so much.

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Kate Henry's avatar

What a completely lazy man. He took the early way out, looking pitiful the whole time. The perfect professional "poor me".

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You might want to read that book again, Kate. An absolutely timeless description of all that is good and evil in humanity. We were forced to read it in high school, when we were not old enough to understand it. One of my all-time favorites now.

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Wade Terry's avatar

Your challenge to us all in the ending was perfectly set up by the story of Sydney. Thank you!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Wade. It is a complicated book, one that I learned so much from.

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Heather Brebaugh's avatar

An interesting question, Sharron. Once we are gone, we don't know what people remember us for. We no longer exist. So rather than trying to do something that people will remember us for, maybe we could just do kind things in the present moment and enjoy that bit of serotonin that comes from that.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Heather, for giving us the rest of the picture.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

“Spoiler Alert!”

Just kidding, Sharron!

Self sacrifice is an ingredient in many a great drama. I’m reminded of Les Miserables, another French setting, where self sacrifice abounds.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Spoiler alert, ha ha ha. Yes it sure is. I figure if you have not read it yet, you most likely never will. I love Les Miserable as well, the devotion and tenacity wrapped up in a cloak of all that history. Delicious.

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T. D. Wolf's avatar

Shame on me for not having read it. Tell me, did the King live?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I think not... but Dickens is a great read, I have to say.

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Thank you for the inspiration, Sharron. Sometimes it seems there is little we can do to change the big picture but we have to start somewhere.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Jim. This was a post from the archive. It's a message we all need to be reminded of occasionally, I think. Especially when the "big picture'' is so insane.

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A.T. Symeonidis's avatar

Sharon, the concluding paragraph of this story hit me like a mortar bomb. Ever since my day of destruction in 2019 I've struggled with fears that I brought that catastrophe on myself by being too unobservant and lazy. The thought continues to pursue me especially as I struggle to get some sleep every night. I gotta get a copy of this book asap.... Thanks again for writing what invariably triggers serious thinking... Super job.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, A.T. I am glad you found the message here a little helpful.

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Kate Henry's avatar

Yours is the only fiction I read. There's only time for the technical tomes now, and learning the orignal languages to get the right intent. There was no required reading in school except the standard texts. Plenty enough of those to lug around. I suspect the younger mind is affected differently than the "nearly antique". Glad ya liked it.)))

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Janice Walton's avatar

Good question! Hopefully, my tombstone will say "she cared."

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I could not think of a more perfectly true epitaph.

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Mark Starlin's avatar

Well said. It is the way we live and love that is our greatest legacy.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You have it in a nutshell, as they say. Thank you, Mark.

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Linda Brown's avatar

Wow - really, really powerful, Sharron! Excellent analysis and application for us all.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Linda. I posted this in late 2022. The message is important for us all, I think.

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just mud by Ron's avatar

That's a great story; I never read that book, but it feels like a whole lot of application now. We all need some grace for each other these days and sometimes for ourselves. Thanks always, Sharron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Amen, Ron!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

PS. I like that you added your name to your sub stack title. I have called you mr mud for too long.

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David Perlmutter's avatar

Dickens at his best, beginning and ending this work.

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