Parting Ways Final Thrust

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Trepidation Prior Fresh Start

Letting go of fantasy, our youth move seeking safer options in life, earnings on merit not Cadre deployment, this last week has been one of turmoil. An emotional roller-coaster ride between new adventure or comfort within family realm, I could see it etched into his face, dread fighting an invisible monster knowing time has arrived.

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Shadows of past comforts slowly ripped away, turning to face the East a huge step into the unknown. Never roamed far it is a massive step doing it alone. Frozen in memories watching sunsets, or Woody chasing Hadeda out the garden all familiar, with happy sad moments ticking off, almost time to fly.

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Long Winding Road

Working together meeting the challenge, medical, police clearance, visa, banking, insurance, writing a will, buying ticket all documentation takes approximately six months on the last leg alone. Continued work commitments, daily sense of belonging enjoying meals together, guiding a family member in a framework of normality.

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Exploring Options

Invitation from childhood friend to open his home made Mother feel more 'confident'. In time, making contact with family not seen since a little boy, this will open opportunities to learning more of this beautiful world from cousins living abroad, yes all born in South Africa.

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Long term planning has been in the making, no one moves permanently without good reason. Not obtaining point structures within countries blows certain visa out of the water to work, alternative option is being honest with both the visiting country and yourself, a fact finding holiday to witness opportunities first hand.

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Opted for an extended vacation, purchase a return ticket, life might not work out the way you planned, not having a job offer extended to you or online interviews lined up, make yourself available in person. Nothing beats a face to face interview in any country.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Take Off Winter Solstice

Eventually overwhelmed controlling emotions, brave face offering advice, now looking for a corner, somewhere to hide, curl up like a dog in the sun trying to absorb a feeling unbeknown to me, contaminated with Hives irony, itchy and scratchy, now is me time to recover!

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Having Hive with many very good friendships made over the years where I can express these roller-coaster feelings, knowing many are experiencing similar. Letting go, wishing our youth well, going with our blessings and a piece of your heart.

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A world filled with trepidation prior to a possible fresh start, always remembering when you love enough you know when to let go. We all face times in life when we both excited and scared at the same moment in time, I too have itchy feet....

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Hopefully now I will settle down to enjoy communicating more, commenting and enjoy getting back to daily routine having missed many days of late, thanks for reading and look forward to chatting more regularly.

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All photography is my own using a Canon PowerShot SC730 HS, resized for easier loading, writing is my own.

Thought for Today: "Traveling is learning." - African Proverbs

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Hello dear friend @joanstewart good day
I know very well what you are going through and all the bureaucratic procedures that have to be done to complete all the documentation for a trip of this nature. The departure of a loved one is not something that one has planned, but life has something else in mind and you have to accept it as it is, and support our young people to achieve their dreams, it is a real shame, that this dream was lost. obtain in a different country. but hey, things are like that.
The best of successes for your son.

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Soon it will be the younger son and his wife who had almost everything ready to go when the pandemic hit, they lost so much, I will see how I am able to assist them next.

Our families are being torn apart which is not what makes anyone happy, they must make a life where they feel comfortable, we traveled and always return with no reason to think life as we know it would change so drastically. We live in hope and thanks for kind words @jlufer !LUV

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I am very sorry for what has happened to your son and wife because of the pandemic, a situation that has caused a great disaster in much of the world; I have no doubts that it will be able to help them overcome the situation, success in it.

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We will slowly work toward helping them across, life takes many strange turns of late, who know what tomorrow may bring?

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Beautiful your post, our life is a roller coaster as you express it. And it is always good to let go, to free ourselves, to detach ourselves, to seek new frontiers, making management of the many or few resources, but above all the experience acquired on that path, my dear Lady.

I am riding on that puzzle, in the wonderful autumn of my life, resignifying my being and being and bringing out the best of my inner girl.

Thank you for this sublime moment with your post.

Greetings to you from my beautiful and sunny Caribbean.🌺

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One learns throughout life, each experience is new as is every sunrise or sunset.

Thanks for lovely comment and enjoy each moment deciding your destination!

!LADY

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Thank you very much. Life is free and you have to enjoy it. Over the years, we understand that we are nothing more than the experiences that shaped us.

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We only have one go at it, never easy when certain things need to be done.

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Beautiful and amazing flower. It's color so beautiful. You have shared also some beautiful photography which are looking so amazing

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Always looking at nature to balance my mind, thanks for visiting.

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This is so deep, it holds more meaning than the eyes meet.
Dearest @joanstewart I know you will be fine, just hang in there for a little while and everything will fall into place !LUV

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Really hoping things go his way, me I will take it one day at a time keeping contact. Thanks for the kind thoughts and love, sending some !PIZZA to not cook later and !WINEX celebrating a future for all.

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(Edited)

PIZZA!

$PIZZA slices delivered:
joanstewart tipped johannpiber
joanstewart tipped ibbtammy
@johannpiber(1/20) tipped @joanstewart (x10)
jlinaresp tipped joanstewart

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Hello, Joan!

The roller coaster of emotions when the younger ones leave is so huge. It is a bittersweet feeling, on the one hand, we are proud to see them make their way and on the other hand, it is so sad that they have to go far away from us. And even though technology today helps, it is so much missed to be able to hug them. But we have to let them spread their wings and fly out of the nest in search of a better future.

A big hug

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A beautiful expression of how you feel... the many things going on, in your country, how they have affected some of your cousins. Loss is hard to deal with! Change is difficult.
I like the nature pictures you have captured here, especially the second to the last photo of birds!
@joanstewart, I'm thinking of you always, my sister!
!WINE

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Youth are moving with no work being made available, crime exceptionally high, most locked up in the home here all the time. He made the right decision, will be with childhood friends who I know will help him find his feet.

Time in nature still my balancing act in life, holding onto sanity.

!LUV to you and have a wonderful Friday, he is safe and will settle now.

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Words to evoke tears of sympathy and compassion

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Son is forty-one never goes out due to circumstance, this will give him a fair footing hopefully to enjoy life as we remember it.

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You know am curious if this was all you did during the summer holiday? Is the holiday over yet? Well looks like you got quite a handful, but i observe you learnt being aquited with nature and being free with yourself and the people around, quote me if am wrong thou☺️

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Mid Winter here, being in nature is my time of letting go all the baggage we carry in life.

Embracing a close relationship with my son it has been difficult, now I hope he finds a better life to settle and enjoy.

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Yahh that is what all parents wish for their children, ohh so the summer holiday has ended then or hasn't began?

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It's only just begun, life takes another path!

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Ohh i see well dont forget to share post of the beautiful weather then, will be on the look out

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Awe Joan, so the time has finally come, happy and sad, truly bittersweet! Sadly our talented skilled young people are leaving in droves, looking for a better future. Praying for you and your family, especially that your son finds his feet in a strange new world. You can always visit once he's settled.
We've survived losing our son to the Netherlands but we already hear about the positive changes they are loving, still miss some of SA, but overall happier.
Take it easy now, all those months of stress does take its toll!

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Being with childhood friends I know they will support each other and keep contact with us here.

He landed safely, totally exhausted his friend met him at the airport, kept him awake to end of day. After a shower and meal he went to bed, sure to be feeling more human when he wakes up.

Saying goodbye to many youngsters 20's - 40's leaving to destinations all around the world seeking safety, or work based on merit. One Father we know told his son he is so angry with government making life so much worse for everyone.

No one envisaged the next generation would need to take flight under new "Democracy", we all stood firm in making change before 1994.

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It's good that he has friends over there, and I wish him the very best! It's a sad sad state of affairs what's happening here in SA, I used to think people were crazy to leave our beautiful country, but my rose-tinted glasses have become tainted. Escaping to the country is good for holidays but with services falling apart it's no longer a viable option for retirement unless one has money to go off the grid altogether!
It's going to take time to get used to having our children across the waters but they certainly have a brighter future than here.

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When people said we would be another Zimbabwe in 30 years I did not believe it could happen, yet here we are!

Children must try make a better future for themselves, we are of an age where moving country would work. Going into the countryside not an option either being too dangerous in remote locations.

Still looking to assist my younger son and daughter-in-law, decision making time over the next few months.

You must be getting excited with going over soon to visit, see the other side of life!

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When people said we would be another Zimbabwe in 30 years I did not believe it could happen, yet here we are!

And I say 'SNAP!'
Honestly did not believe it would happen, but look where we're now at, just awful😒

We can't wait, should get our Visas this week.

Take care Joan🌻

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Exciting you will enjoy the Netherlands, it is totally different to hills here. Ready to ride a bike again?

One can weep for some of the people, instead we get up, start working to try help, it is the best we can do, everyone counts...

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Awww... Excellent article, beautiful lines, you have moved me... I am in Venezuela, here it is usual that many of our relatives leave for another place.... I myself have my eldest son out of the country and a good part of my family has also left.... I understand very much what you are going through... I send you a hug and my best wishes that everything will always be ok!

!discovery 28
!VSC
!PIZZA
!BBH

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Those with sufficient wealth to protect home and family stay.

No longer is our land a place where one could safely say you hand down homestead through generations, those days are gone!

Thanks for kind words, yes your country has been through a battering for a long time as well, wishing you a wonderful Friday.

!LUV
!WINEX
!LOLZ

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You are going through many changes Joan. It’s unfortunate when young people have to leave their familiar surrounding but they may see it as an exciting opportunity for work and meeting new friends.

Time never stands still as we sometimes wish it would. Take care my friend and know that others care. 💕

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If he were a confident young man I would be happier, perhaps his friend will bring out the best in him as they have grown up together, plus his friend is a mischievous 40+ with a lovely wife we know.

As we chatted normal daily event I said to him no one knows what time we have left, nor what tomorrow may bring, go and explore it might surprise him.

Thanks for kind thoughts and have a wonderful day Jo with !LUV

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Beautiful words, Joan, this post shows your loving feelings and how much you're missing him already.
Everything's planned and all will work out fine 👍

There's only a little bit of water between you and your son and today's technology will make it feel as if your son was only in the next room 😊

!invest_vote

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We were texting each other through long waits at Customs in the early morning yesterday, then his final destination too which took almost 2 hours.

He managed as a first time flyer and is safely with his friend who met him at the airport taking a days leave.

Regular contact is not a problem in this technical day and age which is great, I remember travelling not able to phone home, post cards written and posted along the way.... Times have changed and so must we. !LOLZ

!LUV it's Friday, have a good one!

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So he arrived well without any problems - it can only get better from now on 👍

I remember the time when we had to wait till our neighbor has finished his phone call before we could phone 😂 !LOLZ

Have a wonderful weekend 😊 🌞

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Jet lag will take a couple of days before feeling more settled. Sounds like a busy weekend with friends so that should take his mind off things.

Things he noticed already, no car guards, people drive according to rules of the road, it's clean!

Enjoy the day, cool with sunshine over here, typical winter morning !LOLZ

!LUV and !PIZZA with a drop of !WINEX later..... much later!

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Yep, hanging around with his friends will have helped a lot in the first few days and in the coming days. It's great that he has friends who have already been in the country.

I know what you mean, the roads are different everywhere and people are driving different ... much different in South Africa if I remember some stories of Zac 😉 !LOLZ

Since last Wednesday I'm having pain in my right shoulder - can hardly lift my right hand. That's why I haven't been much online. It's a bit better today, but still I can't drive a car. Luckily my wife and I are working together 😁

Wishing you also a wonderful new week 😊🌞

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Aches and pains creep up on us, I flared out into Hives and did not go to a doctor will manage to get through just taking it a little easier. More work coming down the line now with tax and other awful have to do things....

Have yourself a good day, take care of that shoulder. I have the car now to get back into the saddle, my son was using it over this last year, I was spoiled like Lady Godiva being taking everywhere.

!LUV
!LOLZ

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I don't go to the doctor - like my father says "it came by itself and it will go by itself again" 🤣 !LOLZ

It seems that your life has also changed since he's gone, you also have to learn some things new or how to do them alone again 😉

Wishing you also a wonderful day 🌞

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Have not been to the doctor, my Dad always said after 40 they always try find something!

Life will slowly adapt, need to get out and find my own feet again, been a long time coming.... !LOLZ

!LUV always a way forward, have a good day hope the shoulder is feeling a little bit better.

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It's like when the police stops you: if they want to find something they will find something 🤣 !LOLZ

To know he's fine and happy will help you a lot 😊

My shoulder gets better each day and hopefully I'll be able to get out for some photos on the weekend.

Wishing you also a great rest of the day 🌞

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Doctors need to be guided as well, too often put people on tablets without actually going into the why? I am forever telling my little lady off, repair the fault without the drug overload....

He found his Roobos tea and honey, sounding a lot better already, loves the yogurt, new tastes he is learning. Meeting people at ten pin bowling they attend twice a week with his friends.

Good to hear the shoulder is playing the healing game, look forward to your next outing shooting some pictures again.

!LUV Happy Thursday, with a wee drop of !WINEX 🙃medicinal you know!

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I rarely take tablets / drugs, but in the past days my shoulder said twice "take one or I'll hurt you even more" 😂 !LOLZ

The air smells different, and also the food, and I believe that like here in NZ you can also drink the water directly from the tap. His friends keep him busy and that's good and helps him to settle down.

Haven't seen my camera for two weeks, but if my shoulder says yes I want to go for a walk with it soon.

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Exactly what I told my doctor my parents kept Asprin in the cupboard, that was all!

Enjoyed the food most when traveling, each country unique to flavours and way of cooking.

Camera goes everywhere with me, sounds like getting up your mountain must be something you really need or drive in van and hike, hopefully on the weekend.

!WINEX

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I know people who have a whole drug store at home, or even when they travel they have everything with them, just in case 🤔 !LOLZ

Yep, I love most of the food in other countries and it tastes best when you are there.

9 from 10 times I have my camera with me. It's raining here, so I will probably not take photos today, but still enjoy the trip with my wife 😁

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Drugs on scripts 6 months required with doctors covering letter, copy of pharmacy receipt to enter country. Younger generation tend to be more medicated compared to our zero drugs we did at that age, except the experimental ones....

Food always tastes better when someone else makes it.

Enjoy your drive and outing!

!BEER

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True, I can see it on my own kids who don't wait too long until they take a pill against headache. I haven't even taken the experimental drugs 😃 !LOLZ

Saturday I made a trip with my wife, and Sunday I was on a short hike - very bad weather with even some snow. Haven't had a look at the few photos yet, but just being out again was great 😀

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Younger generation don't have the patience to wait it out, quickest solution to every problem.

Snow in Summer sounds a little topsy-turvy how the seasons have changed, time to take out the photos to enjoy what you captured when you have a moment.

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I think I haven't been that different, but luckily there haven't been that many pills when I was young 😅 !LOLZ

Anything can happen in the mountains above 2000 meters 🌨️

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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One definitely has to relate to the change from then to now, some lessons learned along the road, some good, others not so good, but it is after all called growing up into an adult... 🙃

All mountains come with their own character, can change so quickly!

!WINEX

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I completely agree and I wonder when I will grow up to become an adult 🤣 !LOLZ

The weather can change from one minute to the other in the mountains. Yesterday morning I have had lovely views and moments later I was in the middle of a cloud ☁️ ... or above 😄

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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Brilliant inversion, head above the clouds again, good to see you out and about enjoying what you do best!

!LUV
!WINEX

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Thanks a million kindly, Joan, it was so good to be out there again, and hopefully next weekend I will be out again 😊

Have a !PIZZA from me, served with !LUV
!invest_vote

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I can relate to this Joan, yours and your son even better, when I left Nigeria in 2008, my Visa came suddenly after so much trying European Visa.

Mom had moved from Nigeria to Benin, after dad passed away so we only visit her in Benin. My moving to SA was such a rush I could not go see her in Benin first before I left for SA.
Returning back home now and she is no more the only consolation was to visit her grave, I still long for her now and then.

You had a beautiful time with your son, doing all the paperwork together is beautiful. He has made the right move, I have a strong feeling about that.

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Life, more often than not is turmoil, trying to make right decisions, not easy for quiet souls who would much prefer to enjoy a peaceful quiet life.

Reminds me of Janis Joplin - Piece Of My Heart one is ripped apart! Mothers keep going trying to hide the feelings deep down, keep strong... a-ha - Crying in the Rain (Official Video)

Both those who stay or one that goes it is never easy. Enjoy your Saturday, something good comes out of the bad most times.

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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

A path well-worn and taking that route may provide comfort, but blazing a new course stirs up feelings and excitement that otherwise one may never experience.
I may be wrong, but it sounds like you may soon be blazing a trail in your life.

The pictures that you choose to include with your words always go together like Apple pie and ice-cream.

Good luck in the contest

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My son is blazing the trail, I am watching from the sideline at the moment, hope he makes it over there, one more son to go....

Trust you are both well and having a quiet life enjoying your summer breeze through the trees.

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This is the good thing about Hive and having these links that we have created with wonderful people through the years, here we can unburden ourselves and for sure someone will care about what you say and will pray for you, send good wishes so that everything in your life gets better.

I from this humble corner tell you that this too will pass and soon you will be back to 100%. The good thing is that technology keeps us together and allows us to share more often.

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Late to the party I am, but I love this post, and identify with it so much.
This!

Having Hive with many very good friendships made over the years where I can express these roller-coaster feelings, knowing many are experiencing similar. Letting go, wishing our youth well, going with our blessings and a piece of your heart.

You are not alone. WE are not alone. Gotta keep reminding myself of that...!!!!
Thanks for sharing your musings and photos.

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