It was a simple tip of the hat. Grace didn’t think that anyone else besides her had even noticed it. It wasn’t anything that the average person would notice, let alone remember at the end of the day. That’s why it seemed so unbelievable that this little gesture would ultimately change the course of the world.

Rhonda prided herself on always taking the path less traveled. She’d decided to do this at an early age and had continued to do so throughout her entire life. It was a point of pride and she would explain to anyone who would listen that doing so was something that she’d made great efforts to always do. She’d never questioned this decision until her five-year-old niece asked her, “So, is this why your life has been so difficult?” and Rhonda didn’t have an answer for her.

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Was it a whisper or was it the wind? He wasn’t quite sure. He thought he heard a voice but at this moment all he could hear was the wind rustling the leaves of the trees all around him. He stopped and listened more intently to see if he could hear the voice again. Nothing but the wind rustling the leaves could be heard. He was about to continue his walk when he felt a hand on his shoulder, and he quickly turned to see who it was. There was nobody there, but he heard the voice again.

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I’ve rented a car in Las Vegas and have reserved a hotel in Twentynine Palms which is just north of Joshua Tree. We’ll drive from Las Vegas through Mojave National Preserve and possibly do a short hike on our way down. Then spend all day on Monday at Joshua Tree. We can decide the next morning if we want to do more in Joshua Tree or Mojave before we head back.

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I haven’t bailed on writing. Look, I’m generating a random paragraph at this very moment in an attempt to get my writing back on track. I am making an effort. I will start writing consistently again!

Don’t forget that gifts often come with costs that go beyond their purchase price. When you purchase a child the latest smartphone, you’re also committing to a monthly phone bill. When you purchase the latest gaming system, you’re likely not going to be satisfied with the games that come with it for long and want to purchase new titles to play. When you buy gifts it’s important to remember that some come with additional costs down the road that can be much more expensive than the initial gift itself.

The time to take action was now. All three men knew in their hearts this was the case, yet none of them moved a muscle to try. They were all watching and waiting for one of the others to make the first move so they could follow a step or two behind and help. The situation demanded a leader and all three men were followers.

It was that terrifying feeling you have as you tightly hold the covers over you with the knowledge that there is something hiding under your bed. You want to look, but you don’t at the same time. You’re frozen with fear and unable to act. That’s where she found herself and she didn’t know what to do next

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