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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Writing the tough stuff is healing and catharctic, and it’s a gift that we can share these feelings with each other.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Marcia<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Group1 [mailto:group1-bounces@bluegrasspals.com] <b>On Behalf Of </b>Sally Rosenthal<br><b>Sent:</b> Thursday, August 23, 2018 8:45 AM<br><b>To:</b> Marcia Wick <marciajwick@gmail.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Critique Group 1 <group1@bluegrasspals.com><br><b>Subject:</b> [Critique Group 1] About Sally's August submission<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have a poem to send, but it will be a few days late. I spent all day yesterday in the emergency room with my husband. On the way home, he came to the very sad decision that he cannot take care of his service dog Pumpkin. Her puppyraisers are picking her up this evening for a two-week trial which will probably morph into retirement. She is almost 14 and already mostly retired. Her raisers love and understand her, but her leaving will leave a very large hole in our hearts. The next few days will be rough, but I will send the poem as soon as possible. It needs a few tweaks. It, like Marcia’s recent submission, is very personal. Please keep in mind, as you read it, that there are some good days when I still catch glimpses of the person I married.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sally<o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>