32 Comments
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Naturegirl's avatar

This story is so beautiful. I'm going to print a copy and frame it for my great niece (arriving in October). This is a message we all need to keep in mind. And, of course, she will be getting The Circles All Around Us, The Fantastic Bureau of Imagination and Fail-a-bration! And I LOVE The Powers of Ten! I showed this video to my students every semester. Thank you for the inspiration and hope you send out into our worlds.

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Brad Montague's avatar

The image of this story hanging in a frame for a little one just arriving into the world isn't something I imagined, but it's so beautiful. Thank you so much for the kind words, for reading, and for living such a thoughtful life. SO cool to know you've shared Powers of Ten with your students! It really should be required viewing and more widely seen by all ages. I think it's a great visual for reshaping how we see ourselves and others in the grand scheme of things. So good. Really grateful you're part of this space here and for the care you're carrying into your corners of the world. Really, really grateful.

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Jacob Souva's avatar

Lovely, friend.

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Brad Montague's avatar

This really means a ton coming from you, Jacob. Your work continually lifts and lights me up anytime I experience it. Grateful for YOU! I hope our paths can cross in person sometime for a meal and goofy chat about all the things.

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Jacob Souva's avatar

Seconded. 🤞👍

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JL Gerhardt's avatar

I love this. Beautiful. Tender. Something soft and true when so much feels hard and wrong.

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Brad Montague's avatar

This means so much coming from you. I so admire the many ways *you* hold space for tenderness and truth in your work. So grateful for you, your voice, your family, and your heart (especially in a world that can feel so hard and wrong). Here's to those good soft and true things that last!

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JL Gerhardt's avatar

I keep waiting for the day when the Montagues and Gerhardts find the right good thing to make together!

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Reading With Bristol, LLC's avatar

That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you.

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Brad Montague's avatar

So honored you'd take the time to read. Thank you for these kind words!

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Bethany Welborn's avatar

This is beautiful. Thank you, Brad. I would definitely buy a print of this, if it’s not too long for that.

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Brad Montague's avatar

Well, THANK YOU, friend! means a lot coming from you. Truly. Maybe it isn't too long, but just needs the right shape. That's something I gotta figure out. Super grateful for your kind words and that you took the time to read and that it resonated. THANK YOU!

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Relyn's avatar

Oh please tell me you are working on the illustrations needed to turn this into a book. I need it. I think the whole world needs it. Thank you for this.

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Brad Montague's avatar

AH! Thank you so so so much. This one might want to grow up and have pictures added to it and live between two covers one day. We'll see what happens. For now, I'm just really really really grateful it found its way to you. For real. Thanks for the encouraging words and for cheering this on into the world. WAVING AT YOU!

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Lori's avatar

Wow, you wrote this poem! I didn't see an author named and so I searched online, what came up was Max Lucado's book, but not this poem. Many other ocean themed poems turned up ( and boy, and rock themes.) I think your poem is profound and like everything else you write, it is inspiring. Please sign your name, by Brad Montague at the end of your poem (edited to add, lol <3 ) Thanks for sharing the Power of Ten video as well!!!!! I really appreciate you sharing your newsletter with us.

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Brad Montague's avatar

Lori, thank you so much for these kind words (and for going on such an internet adventure to find the source!) Made me smile. I did write this! I do need to do a better job in the future of adding my name to the things I share on the internet. Appreciate your gentle nudge. REally grateful you're here and part of this little corner of the big, big internet.

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Marc Joblin's avatar

As always, lots to think about here. Thank you!

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Brad Montague's avatar

Thanks for the kind words, my friend. Always encouraged by YOU and your amazing kids.

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All of J's's avatar

SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

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Becky McMorrow Braun's avatar

Beautiful!

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Charla C's avatar

Beautiful!

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Ryan Dunlap's avatar

This felt like it could be cousins with Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s The Little Prince. Very lovely.

Also, happy to hear you’ll be at STORY this year! I’ve already got my ticket. :)

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Minaz Ansari's avatar

It feels so good to read this Brad. Transform it into a picture book titled NO SMALL THING :)

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Wandering With Soul's avatar

I loved this. I do love the ocean. It is timeless.

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Jason Tomlinson's avatar

I will certainly be returning to this.

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Brian & Chris W's avatar

"The heavier stuff, like guilt and grudges and regrets and stuff, I keep tumbling around until they soften. Eventually, I send it all back as sea glass or sand or something else lighter and surprising."

We go to the shore of Lake Michigan often to collect beach glass.....I imagine all the pieces being whole, then broken somehow....but tumbled and rolled in the water until the beautiful small piece lays on the beach for us to find.....just like us! Thank you for your words!

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