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Happy thirteen years of sharing the thoughts inside your beautiful brain with the world. I've been following you for a lot of years, though if I'm honest I don't know how many, but you always strike the right cord with everything. Maybe the universe just knows that those specific words are what I needed to hear? You are loved and appreciated and I'm happy to be a supporter of you and your dreams.

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Ahh sometimes this brain does NOT feel beautiful haha. Most times. It means worlds that you find it so, that you show up, that you participate, that you enrich this place with the spirit of You. You are loved, so very, and I hope you know this.

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Wow! Tyler, I Love this story of cause and effect. It really gives perspective not to just the physical typewriter, but how you mentally react to the world around you. The act of creating something new is not exclusive to the catalyst, but includes all the experiences of life up to that point which influence your reaction. And that, in itself, is precious.

I was just reminiscing yesterday with my partner about old poems created almost thirty years ago, and the events which inspired them. It’s not so hard to remember the exact moments that led me to create them. These were and are not created in hopes of fame/fortune but in response to a thought, an event, an emotion… with a desire for expression and in response to a need to create. They are precious not in terms of value to others, but like family, in terms of the emotional reward to have and hold them in your heart.

For example, I still get emotional about a poem ( a haiku story of sorts) written nearly ten years ago, just two days after my partner had a major stroke and was laying in a coma at the hospital. Just looking at it now brings back powerful emotions of the time AND gratitude of today.

I appreciate you and how much you share with us on this blog about your creative process. Signal Fire is such an appropriate title for this community. Looking forward to continuing support of your work.

Here is the poem I noted above…

Calendars do lie (2015)

Subtitle: There is always hope

Calendars do lie

They assure many future days

Life gives no promise 

Hope springs eternal

If you forget fear and time

The waters will flow

Mountains do not move

But hands and feet do wonders

One rock at a time

A light in the dark

Casts no shadows only hope

If you turn to it

I am here today

I am the glue that ever binds

An unbroken bond

Where we hang our hat

Can’t always be the same spot

Find another nail

Walk with me a while

A short while or a lifetime

One step is progress

Where we want to be

Is not always where we are

So we carry on

Life gives no promise

But grants us all, strength and will

There is always hope

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"Life gives no promise," is such a beautiful, melancholy, and astute observation and truth. It truly doesn't. Never would I have imagined the adventures a book of poetry would have given us, never would I have imagined this life. What a thing. You write why I write, to express the unexpressable within, and I Love that. You can feel it here, we can all feel that From you here, and it's worth everything in the world.

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Happy 13 years! I can still picture your poems on one of the early Instagram layouts, before multiple photos or reels were allowed. I still have screenshots of poems going all the way back to 2013 and was so excited to get your first book with the signed print of a typewriter, and how the excitement carried to all of the books you’ve published that have a home on my shelf. I even read one of your poems at my dad’s funeral, and later ordered a signed print that hangs on my wall in my home. Thank you for being you, for sharing your words, you’ve touched so many lives 🤟🏼

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Gosh what a weird nostalgia looking back on the first days of Instagram, when it was all new and I was the only weirdo posting poetry there hahaha. It's overrun now. As for the poem you read at the funeral, if you wanna email me your address, I'd love to send you a signed copy of it if you don't have one already. Thank you. So much.

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It really is! Thank you so much, I did actually order a signed print of it not too long after but I do appreciate the offer!

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Wow 13 years. I had to get on the ‘gram to check, and it turns out I’ve been following you most of that time. Back when you could just make a few clicks and regram a post, I shared a few. Back then I assumed you were well established and had been doing it for years. Glad I found you when I did. I look forward to reading your posts on here and hope it continues for many more to come. (This is as close to social media as I get anymore) I will definitely be preordering your next book. Cheers to many more 🥂❤️

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That is so magic, and so amazing, and so appreciated. Truly. Cheers to you being here, cheers to all that's coming.

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Echoing many of the sentiments already shared today, happy thirteen years! I truly hope lucky 13 is a year full of magic, wonder, and success for you and Lady G. Know that the words shared (and time needed) are so appreciated. I’m happy to have found Chasers of the Light, albeit many years late, and even happier that it lead to this rad community. It truly is something of wonder, to look back with what we know now and see exactly which of the moments we thought so small played such large roles in the life we lead. Looking forward to where year thirteen of this journey winds, and very excited for the new book!

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13 is always lucky, so I think this will be too! It means so much to hear things like this, very truly, that the words, the messages, the life I share resonates in some way with wonderful people like you. Thank you for being here, and for the steady knowledge it gives me that you'll be here in the future, too.

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Thoughtful words of encouragement! I found your poetry on Instagram at around poem 300 and have been following along ever since! What a ride.

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300 means you're a VERY early adopter! Within the first year! Did you ever go back and read the first 300? :) Thank you for being here. So much thank you.

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Lucky 13, lucky us. Thank you my love for taking the leap, in so many ways, thank you for following your heart, for encouraging and inspiring so many of us to do the same. You are the torch bearer of hope and curiosity and I am so lucky to love you. Happy 13.

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No you, no me. No us, no this.

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I loved this story but one thing is missing. I want to see the typewriter!

I am so thrilled to hear that you have another book in the works. I love pre-ordering, waiting impatiently, and making a pilgrimage to my local bookstore to pick up a brand-new-to-the-world book. Few things are more exciting.

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YOU ARE SO AMAZING. As for the typewriter, your wish is my command. Hold tight...

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T.K.G,

I found you on Pinterest and was immediately clicking "pin" for everything you wrote. My Pinterest board for writing & poetry. You have enriched my life. Thank you for sharing your gifts. 🌸

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THIS enriches My life. Thank you so much for joining us on this wild ride.

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I am very excited for the new book, too! And I will for sure be preordering the second you tell me to.

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Your support = such a gift. Truly. Thank you again and again as usual ;)

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I have no idea how many of the 13 years I’ve been here but probably most of them. Your words continue to enrich my life to this day. Thank you for taking a chance on your dreams.

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Every year you've been here has been a gift to me. Thank you for letting my dreams have the support they've needed.

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Happy 13th anniversary! Thank you for sharing as you do. This community is rare & so magical.

And, biggest thanks to Lady G. I love how she encourages you. What a gift

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You're so very right, what a gift she is. I love how YOU encourage THIS place. Thank you!

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I love the origin story! 💓 You just never know when life is going to throw open a door to a whole new adventure...may we always be wise enough to walk through and may we always be present enough to experience gratitude for each moment. 💫

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I'm so glad you loved this :) I fully agree, you never know what will completely rearrange a life. Always go for it.

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Tyler, no doubt. My son was just invited to join an elite football ⚽️ academy in England and since it's his dream to play professionally, we're now moving to the UK! Maybe one day he'll play for Liverpool. 😉

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Happy 13 years! Your words seem to always be just what we need at the time. I’m so grateful you shared them with us!

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Thank you so much! This is such a lovely compliment. Truly.

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Just now getting to this as I've been spending less time online this week. Congrats! I'm forever grateful for finding your words and for that leading to your words of encouragement. I would have given up a few times without them. I'll write a poem tonight in your honor. And please be as transparent as possible about the new book. I think most of us don't know what a difference pre-order versus buying after release ect means for an author. Would love to support you in the most effective way.

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