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“we came across a lone poppy and I said: ‘that’s how so many of us have felt during the past three years.’ Then we saw a few more poppies, and Dimitris said: ‘look, there are other poppies calling out’.”

This almost brings me to tears Abi.

God love you.

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Utterly wonderful, what a journey, the photos of the lone poppy.... just wow!😢😢

The lovely people you met, I believe you were meant to.

Just beautiful 😍

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This is lovely.

I’m reminded of my dear departed Grandfather who would’ve been 100 last week.

He was a sailor, a renegade, and fought in WW2. He liberated the island of Symi near Rhodes. He hated Winston Churchill because he was a warmonger.

He saw unspeakable sights and lost many friends. The toughest of the tough but to me he was my big soft Grandad. He never talked about the war to me. He loved Greece and developed a penchant for the ouzo.

Kos is beautiful. I’ve holidayed there several times and have fond memories of a tiny place call tingaki (I think that’s right). The people were so very kind.

The lone poppy resonates. I’ve just been to a charity event at a football club. Boy, was I the odd one out. I’ve never felt so out of place but I’m comfortable being by myself now. Being part of this group is a god send and makes me feel less alone. Thank you Abi xx

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You are born writer Abi. This is beautifully written and so full of life. Very moving.

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A beautiful journey so vividly written I journeyed with you too, there is something about the Greek people that make you feel like family.

Thank you for sharing as sometimes personal experiences feel quite private for the emotions they stir Abi.

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You write so beautifully Abi, I felt as though I was there with you. Thank you for sharing with us.

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Just thank you. I needed to read that today. ❤️

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Divine read Abi , felt transported there! Thank you how lovely , over this weekend. Yes we are the poppies and need to stay grounded just like them.

I hope everyone is having as good weekends as possible ❤️💛❤️

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Beautiful. I am that alone poppy 💔

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Wow what a lovely picture you paint of Kos. It’s a great place I went years ago but you saw more than me. Your writing is beautiful x

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Lovely article Abi.

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How wonderful, Abi. You clearly connected with the place and the people at a very deep level.

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Beautiful read Abi. Many years ago I lived on the island of Rhodes, this took me back to all the wonderful things Greece has to offer away from the main tourist haunts.

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A lovely piece Abi ❤️

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Beautiful and moving story Abi, thank you for sharing 😥❤️🙏

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Beautiful Abi x

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