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Jeanne Blomquist's avatar

Patti, you may be aging but I think you are getting wiser. You are also a good writer because I didn’t lose interest in reading your story. I could have just passed it by in parsing my many emails. Maybe you should think about being a writer and sharing more of your stories. BTW, I live in Michigan and I think it is a beautiful state.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Hi Jeanne, thank you so much for your kind words, I appreciate the compliment. Michigan is a beautiful state, it's just not my happy place. Wilderness geography is my jam, that, and/or large metropolitan areas. This is a wonderful place to grow up (and visit) but I had my fill, so we shall see what happens here in the near future.

Are you on the east side of Michigan? (Just guessing!)

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Carl Petersen's avatar

Nice read my Love. Happy Easter 🐰 🐣 💓

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Thanks for taking time to read and share it, honey. See you soon!! I love you.♥️

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Shlee's avatar

Patti, the whole thing resonated with me.

I crave adventure and travel and am obsessed with finding ways to do it cheaply and I'd love the type of work you're seeking. And I , too, sometimes forget I'm married haha and that he'd hate these types of adventures. He's such a private person, he'd feel uncomfortable staying/working in someone's home for months on end.

I was so excited to travel Guatemala for my 40th birthday. I was committed to doing it cheaply and staying for no more than 2 weeks. But when the date got closer I realized I couldn't fathom leaving my kids for 2 weeks, even though my husband was supportive.

It wasn't my time and I had to let that dream die. For now. I agree, it's all about timing.

PS I think this was my favorite newsletter yet! I felt so connected to what you were saying-- almost as if I'd written it myself

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Shlee, you and I are sisters in spirit. It's interesting how we married the same type of partner, mine loves to travel but the adventure part (my version) wouldn't be his favorite. Timing is the key, that and compromise. Luckily vacationing isn't going to be a timing thing... my thirst for Colombia will be on a solo adventure and he's all for that, haha, this way he doesn't have to go, at least not until I recon first. A will. A way. 🤗

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Shlee's avatar

That's funny! My husband has no interest in South America either-- thinks it's too dangerous to take our kids there so I'll be going solo eventually, too (or hopefully finding some fun ladies to go with).

Sisters in spirit! I like that :)

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Patti Petersen's avatar

It drives me nuts my husband won't go to South America. If I have to crawl there I'm going to find a way to go!

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Shlee's avatar

Same Patti!

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Janice Walton's avatar

Hi Patti, What a big decision!. The older I get, and having lived through the past eight years - mostly alone - the more I realize that the most important thing in my life was having that one special person by my side; the other stuff didn't matter as much as that.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Hi Janice, If you were 30 years younger and had been married for a time this would have a completely different outcome (I think). But what's really important to me (now) is that our marriage stays strong and tight-knit. He's my rock. I tend to be "up in the air" and go as the wind blows... luckily he's well-grounded and understands my need and thirst for adventure. It'll happen, maybe not as I imagine it will, but maybe even better. I made the right decision for now.

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Craig A Williamson's avatar

Thank you for this Patti. Be encouraged as you encourage others.

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John Dolan's avatar

Great story & better learning. I appreciate your essay & what you shared. Thank you.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Thank you, John. I appreciate you reading and commenting.

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Carl Petersen's avatar

Patti has been hacked. She will not restack as her villan has done. Beware

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Rocco Pendola's avatar

Wow! I'm happy to hear you're okay. You articulated some heavy topics super well here, with lightness. Buen trabajo.

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Patti Petersen's avatar

Gracias, Rocco. No point in getting too heavy on paper (already a load in my head).

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