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The Gift Of Friendship

by Vidya Sury February 17, 2013 68 comments
The Gift Of Friendship

β€œI get by with a little help from my friends” – Love the Joe Cocker version. That’s just what I did this week.Β  Friendship enveloped me with loving care and lots of laughs.Β  Friends I hadn’t been in touch with for a while now, called, visited, emailed and filled my life with happiness.

I am still limping. Just when I was beginning to smile, I came down with a bad throat infection, fever and ugh, cough.Β  It is funny how the cough continues long after the antibiotics. Not very clever, if you ask me.Β  Still, I don’t have much say in it. Seriously, every time I try to talk, I cough – I don’t say a thing.

Valentine’s Day came and went. I had big plans of a post full ofΒ  love but couldn’t write it. I had no control over my fingers – that thrice-a-day cough syrup sure can freak one out.Β  I just felt like lying down or sleeping most of the time and felt sad that this blog was a lonely place during that time.

But Vanita Cyril, my wonderful soul sister and friend decided this was a good time to swap hosting companies and moved the blog to a more stable home. This, in spite of her own health issues, responsibilities and overfull work calendar. Thank you, Vanita. I appreciate you deeply.

I am always amazed how friendship senses moods.Β  Last week, Angela said, β€œVidya, let’s Skype!” and I was delighted to experienceΒ  my first mediumship reading with her. I loved it. Thank you, Angela Artemis for giving me such a priceless gift.

Sandi Amorim, another dear friend, kept sending me lovely messages. But the one that melted my heart was this one. Thank you, Sandi!

Gift of Friendship

I also wrote a love letter to myself last week which is featured in healing self-love notes! I loved seeing the trend in Valentine’s Day blog posts focusing on self-love this year.Β  Unknown Mami has a lovely printable you can download here.

In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.Β 

~Kahlil Gibran

Since I didn’t get out to click any awesome photos – hopefully next week will be better – I decided to showcase a few of my dear friend Ravi’s photos. He’s an amazing photographer and I’ve shown you some of his pictures before. Here are some of my favorites from his album – yes, his photo-casa is my photo-casa too!

A lone boat. A beautifully colorful boat.

Gift of Friendship

This is the Brahmaputra River in Gauhati. I had the pleasure of going there in 1997 – and found that I could stand and gaze at it infinitely. It is just beautiful and Ravi has captured a precious moment.

Gift of Friendship

Sunset on the Brahmaputra river in Gauhati

This striking cormorant outside a temple is in Ravi’s hometown in the state of Kerala in South India

Gift of Friendship

Cormorant at the temple in Kerala

An unintentionally artistic line-up of pumpkins on someone’s tin roof.

Gift of Friendship

Pumpkins on the roof

Here is a beautiful picture of a pretty display on the street – a shop perhaps?Β  in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

Gift of friendship

Pretty display in Jaisalmer

Thanks to Tara Lemieux for this lovely image:

Gift of Friendship

Today’s Menu

Now, let’s head over to Unknown Mami’s place for this week’s world travel itinerary!

Unknown Mami
Question for you:
What did you do on Valentine’s Day?
Love, Vidya
Compassionate Parenting Vidya Sury
The lovely watercolor art in the Featured Image at the beginning of this post is courtesy elpl.org
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68 comments

vanita February 17, 2013 at 6:08 pm

thanks for the shout out sis. cough medicine stinks man. so glad you’re up to a post, means you’re feeling better. best news I could get today.
Ravi is an awesome photographer sis. love these pictures.
vanita recently posted…Never Miss a Moment

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:36 am

You’re my sunshine, Vanita. Hugs. Yes, Ravi is awesome. πŸ˜€
Vidya Sury recently posted…With Love and Gratitude

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Keepie February 17, 2013 at 7:47 pm

OH I LOVE the two boat pictures. The red and blue one is awesome – – – that photo would make a GREAT poster. And the boat at sunset, all loaded to the gills with people, that is a stunning photo too.
Keepie recently posted…A Little Nostalgia in My City

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:31 am

Hugs, Keetha! I’ve missed you. I know I have lots of catching up to do! And I know I will, too.

I think I’ll print that boat photo and show it off on my wall.

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Sandi Amorim February 17, 2013 at 8:38 pm

The thing I love most about friendship is that distance makes no difference to true friends. xoS
Sandi Amorim recently posted…A Love Affair with Yourself

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:30 am

Yes, Sandi! You are a bright shining light to me! Hugs and thank you for making me feel wonderful, and being my friend!

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Elle February 17, 2013 at 11:05 pm

So happy to see your beautiful new post dear One. And am glad you’re feeling just a teensie bit better. Here’s to your great health and vitality blooming again.

Love the pics. I’m dead jealous – what a great photographer. Sigh – got a ways to go. But it’s still fun.

I’m grateful that you’re in my life Vidya.

Love Elle
xoxo
Elle recently posted…What Happens When You Fly With Usher?

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:26 am

Hugs, Elle. And thank you for the loving messages you always send me! I am glad you are in my life, too, soul sis! πŸ˜€ I used to be jealous of Ravi’s photography but got over it when he gave me carte blanche to use them. He’s an amazing person, overall!

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Tara R. February 17, 2013 at 7:11 pm

Love the blue shots – the boat and the glass jars. A wonderful splash of color.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:37 am

Tara, I thought of you when I uploaded the photos. You’re among my favorite photographers, too! Thank you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Paradise Found

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Laurie February 18, 2013 at 1:28 am

The blue boat was beautiful. As far as what I did for Valentine’s Day, I spent in traveling. However, the day before, I assisted some lovely children in making handmade cards. In Central America, Valetine’s Day is called the Day of Love and Friendship. So, we stressed the value of differing types of love and everyone seemed content to make cards of differing types.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:25 am

Laurie, I find that blue boat quite mesmerizing and I am seriously considering making a print for my wall. I love the concept of love and friendship for Valentine’s Day. My first ever V. card was from a colleagues at work and it was so beautiful.

Would love to see some of those cards! Your SIMC post is breath-taking! Love, Vidya

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Cathy Taughinbaugh February 18, 2013 at 1:52 am

Hi Vidya,

Glad you are feeling better and that you had people reaching out. I love Sandi’s message to you. That seems so fitting. You have been such a joy to know and it is wonderful that no matter where we live, we can reach out and be friends. Glad you had a reading with Angela. I’ve done that as well and it was a wonderful experience!
Sending love and hope you are 100% soon!

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:23 am

Thank you, dearest Cathy! I love that we can reach out and “touch” too! You are a great inspiration to me! Love you!

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Fran Sorin February 18, 2013 at 3:06 am

Hi dear Vidya-

You are a spirit full of love, compassion, and joy~ Every one of us who knows you is touched by the beautiful being that you are. xxoo-Fran
Fran Sorin recently posted…How VIADUCTgreene – An Elevated Urban Garden – Is Going To Change The Face of Philadelphia

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:22 am

Hugs, Fran. Your lovely words instantly raised my spirits, as they always do. Oh, I fondly treasure that lovely birthday card you sent me last year! Hugs!

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Alison February 18, 2013 at 3:42 am

Sorry to hear that you were not well -hope you’re better now. Coughing really sucks.

How wonderful of you to share your friend’s pictures – they’re beautiful!
Alison recently posted…Dear Future Friend

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:21 am

Thank you Alison! Hugs! πŸ˜€ I loved the look of your latest post. In fact, I wanted to add that quote and then realized I forgot long after I published the post πŸ˜€ Glad you are my “present” friend, Ali!

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Vishnu February 18, 2013 at 4:16 am

hi Vidya – hope you continue to feel better. thanks for celebrating your friendships which is no doubt medicine for any sickness? Also, lovely pics as usual. Not sure which of the first two boat photos I like better. They are both striking.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:10 am

Hi Vishnu! Oh, nothing like a shower of love to heal! I love all the photos and find it hard to choose. Happy you like them too! Have a great week!

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Sandra Pawula February 17, 2013 at 10:49 pm

I’m so sorry you’ve been unwell! Same with me. I don’t know if it’s been allergies or a head cold, but it’s the same feeling of needing to stay in bed. Hope you feel better soon.

Thank you for sharing the warmth of your friendship and these lovely photos. Sending all my love to you and wishes for your improved health.
Sandra Pawula recently posted…A Simple Way to Balance Your Emotions and Revitalize Your Body

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:29 am

I would have limped over with a big bowl of sweet corn veg soup had I lived near you, Sandra. I hope you feel better soon, too! Hugs. Loved your latest post! Thank you for being my friend!

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Betsy/Zen Mama February 18, 2013 at 4:49 am

Vidya,
So glad you’re beginning to feel better. I feel blessed to have you as friend as well. Who would know that we could find such friends online. Sandi sent me one, too, that totally warmed my heart. And how wonderful to get a reading! Can’t wait to hear how it went!

PS Ravi is indeed a great photographer.
Betsy/Zen Mama recently posted…Boldly Conquer Fear!

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:08 am

You’re right, Betsy! Internet opens up such unlimited possibilities. Sandi totally rocks! πŸ™‚ The reading was superb and transported me through a range of emotions, naturally, but the overall feeling was one of gratitude, love and happiness. I treasure it.

Ravi is one of my closest friends and the best. Hugs. So glad we are connected,Betsy!

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Ben February 18, 2013 at 11:59 am

I was also impressed with the self-love posts around valentines day. Just when I was thinking “it seems most people don’t realize this” I was pleasantly surprised to see the message being spread! πŸ™‚

I hope you are getting better.

I love the photos you put up, those would be some great places to explore.

-Ben
Ben recently posted…Never. Give. Up.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:07 am

Thank you, Ben, yes, I am feeling better.

Yes, those photos are fabulous, aren’t they? And they come from some really charming places. But India is full of treasures. πŸ™‚

I loved the trend in self-love posts especially because they were all so empowering to read.

Thanks again, Ben.

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Rahul February 18, 2013 at 6:31 am

Hope you are keeping well now! The pics and the contents were a delight Vidya:)

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:07 am

Thank you, Rahul!

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Hiten February 18, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Hi Vidya,

Keep smiling, my friend. πŸ™‚

When I read your comment about having a cough even after an infection has passed, it got me thinking about how true this is! A strange one…

The pictures were great and I loved the menu one.
Hiten recently posted…How to Give a Great Presentation

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:05 am

Hiten (I am always tempted to address you as Hitel-bhai! :-))

The menu is lovely, isn’t it? Something that will never go stale, ever. Hugs and thanks for coming by!

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Hiten February 19, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Hi Vidya,

Yes, please call me Hiten bhai if you would like to!

In fact, I’m changing my comment from keep smiling, my friend to keep smiling, my sister! πŸ™‚
Hiten recently posted…How to Give a Great Presentation

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:38 am

I can safely now say “kem cho” next time! Hugs!
Vidya Sury recently posted…The Gift Of Friendship

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Evelyn Lim February 18, 2013 at 2:29 pm

Hi Vidya,

Hope you feel better soon. I am very impressed that even though you have not been feeling well, you are still able to publish such an amazing post. You have got many beautiful pictures here!

Love and blessings,
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim recently posted…How to Mend a Broken Heart and Move On

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:04 am

Evelyn, literally with a little help from my friends! πŸ™‚ My friend Ravi is a fine photographer, besides being a wonderful person. πŸ™‚ Thank you. Love you for coming over and making me feel gooooood!

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Joy February 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm

Love to you…and a huge energetic hug full of refreshment!
Joy recently posted…28 Days of Love: A Current of Energy

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:03 am

I feel it, Joy! I feel it all the time. Love you!

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Glynis Jolly February 18, 2013 at 4:28 pm

I was hoping you’d be feeling better by now. Take care of yourself. We’ll wait until you can return well and happy.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:03 am

Glynis, I am feeling much better. πŸ˜‰ I limp faster. I am trying to thumb my nose at my ailments, hopefully they’ll be disgusted with my cheerfulness and run away fast. πŸ˜€ Thank you dear friend!

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Debbie February 18, 2013 at 6:32 pm

Great picture. The menue is my favorite. Can’t serve anything much better. Wishing feel much better soon. I had that cold and cough and it does take time to rid of it.

Thank you for sharing this post. it put sumshine in my day.
Debbie
Debbie recently posted…The Shocking Truth About Violence in Today’s Society.

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:01 am

Debbie, I fell in love with that menu the minute I saw it! It is such a great poster to start every day with! Hugs! Glad you enjoyed it too!

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Pattu February 18, 2013 at 5:53 pm

Lovely pictures Vidya. The unseasonal rains and moisture also causes throat infections!
Pattu recently posted…The Hyderabad Horti cultural show 2013

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:02 am

Thank you, Pattu! Yes, you are right. And Bangalore weather you know, is crazy at this time. Cold nights and hot days. πŸ™‚

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Terri Sonoda February 19, 2013 at 12:51 am

Love the photos! Thanks for sharing, Vidya. I’m so glad you’re beginning to feel better my friend. I hate that coughing part too! Big HUG!
Terri Sonoda recently posted…Oh no you didn’t just give me that for Valentine’s Day!

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:00 am

Hugs, Terri! Yeah, the cough is like a curse. πŸ™‚ Our weather is partly to blame. Still, I am happy I work from home – what a big relief! Big hugs back at ya!

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Unknown Mami February 19, 2013 at 12:24 am

I am so sorry to hear of your difficulties, but the outpouring of love surprises me not one single bit. Thank you for sharing those beautiful pictures.
Unknown Mami recently posted…Ever Dream of Winning? #Positivismo #PremioLoNuestro

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Vidya Sury February 19, 2013 at 3:00 am

Hugs, Claudya! I have too many things to be happy about, compared with the temporary sickness πŸ˜€ Ravi’s photos are always a treat!

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Angela Artemis|Powered by Intuition February 19, 2013 at 1:22 pm

Dear Vidya,
Ever since we met online two years ago – I felt immediately that we were kindred spirits and I liked you instantly! As Sandi said in her comment – distance has nothing to do with friendship. I think we are all “psychic” to a degree and tune into each other that way whether we know it or not. We know when we like someone and we know when we don’t.

I’m so glad I met you and I’m so glad I heard that little voice that day telling me to “skype with you.” I’m sure it was your mother who orchestrated the whole thing!
xoxo,
Angela
Angela
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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:40 am

Dearest Angela! πŸ™‚ Your comment gives me such a wonderfully warm feeling. I love how we’ve grown closer over the years. I am grateful for that special aura that draws us to each other in a positive and nurturing way. Hugs. I know that the stars were perfectly aligned when you said Let’s Skype. πŸ˜€ It was an experience of a lifetime for me. Hugs! Yes, my Mom rocks!
Vidya Sury recently posted…I am Enough – An Affirmation

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My Inner Chick February 19, 2013 at 2:46 pm

Oooo,that menu is divine.

Vidya,we must SKYPE, too.

I want to See you!

Love you more than 8 black panthers drinking water in Lake Victoria.

Xxxxxxx
My Inner Chick recently posted…I Rise I Rise I Rise

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:42 am

Hugs, Kim! Lovely Menu, isn’t it? It is easily one of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. Fills the heart.

Yes, we’ll Skype. I love you more than thirty peacocks dancing in the gentle drizzle of rain!
Vidya Sury recently posted…The Gift Of Friendship

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Jodi @ Heal Now February 19, 2013 at 3:05 pm

We love you and wish we can do more! Rest my dear and keep loving yourself up!
Jodi @ Heal Now recently posted…Writing To Heal-Words To Heal By

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:42 am

Love you, too, Jodi! Thank you!
Vidya Sury recently posted…With Love and Gratitude

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Ken Wert@MeanttobeHappy February 20, 2013 at 3:28 am

You continue to be in my heart and prayers, Vidya! So glad you are improving. Thanks for the beautiful post with the beautiful message and the beautiful photos.

Love you!
Ken Wert@MeanttobeHappy recently posted…3 Inspiring Quotes from the First 3 Presidents

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:43 am

Ken, you’re the best and have taken up permanent residence in my heart. Hugs! πŸ˜€ I am in love with the photos myself! Thank you for being!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Let’s Be Friends

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Laura February 20, 2013 at 7:02 am

So happy you are feeling better :). Great pics thank you for sharing! And I agree Vamita is a life saver. Hugs girl keep those healthy vibes around you.
Laura recently posted…Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe – Tasty Tuesday

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:44 am

Thank you, Laura! So glad we met through Vanita! πŸ˜€ Appreciate your lovely wishes!
Vidya Sury recently posted…Paradise Found

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Suzie Cheel February 20, 2013 at 7:24 am

I love Sandi’s message it does sum you up so well. I am sending you healing love energy and light and sorry you have been feeling so poorly. You are amazing thank you sor all you do and who you be and I love Ravi photos have pinned some the menu is awesome
namaste
Suzie xxoo
Suzie Cheel recently posted…Love Challenge: Day 6: You Are Beautiful

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:37 am

Thank you, Suzie! You are a ray of sunshine on a daily basis for me. πŸ™‚ I am loving your Feb challenge notes! I am grateful for your love and healing energy. I feel much better now – just waiting for the wounds to heal. Love you! Namaste!

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Roshni February 20, 2013 at 11:36 pm

Such beautiful photos!! Hope you are feeling much better!
Roshni recently posted…The world is your oyster

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:35 am

πŸ™‚ Yes, Feeling better, Roshni. Just waiting for the wounds to heal! Thank you for visiting!

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Carolyn Hughes February 20, 2013 at 7:20 pm

As always it’s such a joy to visit your bright and friendly page Vidya. I love your menu! Have a wonderful week πŸ™‚
Carolyn Hughes recently posted…What’s love got to do with it?

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:36 am

Hugs, Carolyn. I was thinking of you when I wrote this post!

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Josh February 21, 2013 at 5:39 am

Hi Vidya,

Your posts are always like a big bowl of sunshine.
Josh recently posted…Four Flights

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Vidya Sury February 21, 2013 at 5:45 am

πŸ™‚ Ah, reciprocated several times over, Josh. Loving your blog too! And glad you’re back “there” πŸ™‚
Vidya Sury recently posted…I Just Received A Gift

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timethief February 23, 2013 at 11:23 pm

Hi Vidya,
Friends are wonderful people who are so important to our lives. Here’s a rhyme I learned as a child that I have never forgotten:

Make new friends,
but keep the old.
One is silver,
the other is gold.

Thanks so much for being my new friend. do hope you are feeling better and have healed up from your tumble. I apologize for not visiting sooner but I took a fall down our stairwell and my back was out of alignment. I’m getting physio for it and expecting to feel better soon.

Namaste

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