In our Maritime History Gallery at Old City Hall, visitors have written “Messages in a Bottle,” sharing their thoughts to “cast out” to sea. Here’s a selection of messages to read. We hope you’ll visit our Maritime Gallery and leave your own message of encouragement.
A Museum visitor leaves a “Message in a Bottle” at Old City Hall.
Hope. The future holds hidden resources that you don’t yet imagine.
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Author Brenda Ueland said, “All we ever really need are stubborn courage, relentless generosity, and a light heart.” (We need all three now more than ever!!!)
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Love is all you need!
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Bellingham is a magical place. I will be forever grateful for the positivity it has brought into my life.
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I am stuck on an island. Please help me!
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You’re awesome!
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I wish for everyone to be healthy, safe, and happy. I want lasting peace for every person in the world because everyone deserves that.
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I think of you all the time…All the time…
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I want to encourage you to live your dreams. Just begin and don’t be afraid!
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From the ashes a fire will be woken. From the shadows a light shall spring. Renewed shall be the blade that was broken. The crownless again shall be king.
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Everything is great.
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Uncork your passion.
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Smile.
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Life is short so enjoy it & live it to the fullest!
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All the little kindnesses, the smiles & picking up litter, count. Plant a tree and a decade later the birds will know. In 50 years your work will shine. Only you could do such.
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Put your mind in a positive and peaceful state so that anything you say and do reflects this attitude and never lose grip of reality and the beauty life has in store.
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You’re the bees’ knees.
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May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.
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Do good things in life!
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Don’t let anyone take you over, or tell you what to do. You’re awesome, and you should know that. Stay gold.
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So when you’re near me darling can’t you hear me? S.O.S.
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I have never felt a love so strong, as if the moon would run into the galaxy if it ever fell apart. My heart, my soul in T.L.S.
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I love Books.
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I love cows!
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“It’s been a Long Strange Trip” North Side rules!!
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Hey, if you read this you will. You are so nice! What’s your favriote [sic] color. Write back.
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I am weird and awesome.
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Peace to ALL.
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Remember: We are all made of star stuff.
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Beauty is all around just open your eyes!
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Help. Being kidnapped. I encourage you to find me.
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Pie is awesome. Lila, age 8
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Everybody is different and likes marshmallows!
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Lovin life.
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When one door closes, another one opens…opportunities abound!!
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Climbing is Amazing.
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Kiss often!
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Save me! I’m “lost” in a museum full of easily breakable items. A klutz’s worst nightmare. – lost person.
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Ever upward!
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Recovery is Possible.
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May the FORCE be with us all!
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Do it big, with grace without expecting applause, but anticipate great synchronicity.
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History is a mystery, do your pat and live well.
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Have you been on a boat?
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Make your goal and be positive. Dream Big.
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Dear Daughter o’ Mine – Thanks for teaching Dad & I how to be better people…living in “the now.” Be well and always know you’re loved.
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Thoughts are things, choose good ones.
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Just keep swimming.
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Lots of Love from Munich.
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Today, I got to share and be blessed by the wedding nuptials of Brandon & Breanna. May their love be as long as this building is old! And beautiful.
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Hey there, if you read this you are the most awesome person in the world!
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Respond to Hate with Love.
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We are Visitors on Mother Earth. Take good care.
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Dear Stranger, May your days be filled with love, joy, and lots of beautiful memories. Like pizza.
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Whatever you do, take care of your shoes.
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Dream as if you’ll live forever. Live as if you’ll die today.
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Beautiful Museum! Thank you! The Rupe Family
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I’m not from Bellingham, but this museum told me a lot!
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This Museum is Awesome!!!!!!! X 1,000,000,000
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Love this building. It’s a magical place with lots of history that makes me even happier to live in Bellingham…..
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Best Place ever. Thank you.
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Dear Mueseam, I love your excibits. I also love history.
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El museo es una ventana al pasado. Hay que saber de donde venimos para saber a donde vamos…
Translation: The museum is a window to the past. We must know where we come from to know where we are going…
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I hope lots of people come here.
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I think this place is awesome.
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Take pride in your history because history is how we learn and become better humans.
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I’ve lived here for three years, and today is the first time I’ve been here. The plaintive echoes of simpler times disheartens me. But I am not alone. My love, Allura, has taken me here. At least I can hold her while seeing the causes of my melancholy.
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I can only begin to thank Whatcom Museum for their hard work and dedication to keeping our history alive. Long live Whatcom County!
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Please come. There is so many cool photos and history. It is so fun and interesting.
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“The museum is AWESOME and really gives lots of information. Hope it stays here for a LONG time.
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I love Musem
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I love old things, just looking at them feels speisel. Lydia, age 8
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Thanks. I learned a lot!
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I think Bellingham is a very cool place, and I think this museum is very cool.
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I love looking at history.
Don’t be afraid to love.
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I Love Life.
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Follow the Golden Rule.
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Keep Going. Stay positive. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
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Never Give Up.
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Be your biggest fan!
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You are really cool! I think. But it’s not my opinion that matters.
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In a gentle way, you can shake the world.
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Live. Love. Laugh.
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May there be forgiveness.
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Sup guys? Wonder when you will find this. Plus never help anyone who wrote for help in this bottle.
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May the world live in peace.
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You are important.
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Give peace a chance. Que la paz prevalezca.
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Life is full of surprises.
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When life gets hard, or when you’re going through pain, just pray. Meditate. Don’t think.
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May we live in a good life. P.S. our whole planet.
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Not all those who wander are lost.
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Dream Big.
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Help the orcas!
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Save the salmon!
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Life Loves you, so Love Life.
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I’m glad I’m here.
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I will be there for you when you fall. – Floor
Your existence is much more important than you probably think. Keep faith. Stay hopeful. You are important.
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Do what makes you happy.
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Peace and love with a wonderful man.
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She is the calm, amidst my stormy seas.
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Be strong, Be loving, Be Powerful.
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World peace.
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If you believe in your dreams, they will come true!
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All ways look ahead, and keep a huge smile on your pretty face!
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No matter what you go through, love life & yourself. It gets hard, but you can do it! I have.
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Advocacy and compassion and caring for All
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Acceptance…Respect…Affection…Support — Great Relationships.
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Peace, love & light.
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Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.
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Be kind to everyone and you will have it returned.
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Have POSITIVE Vibes.
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If you like to do something, then don’t quit!
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May this year be sweeter than the last.
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Get a new job as an accountant.
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Always remember that love conquers hate — and we all have the capacity to spread a little love every day.
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May the road rise to meet you. May the wind pound at your feet. May the world live to your standards and may you always have love in your heart.
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May all beings be at peace with each other, love each other, and have compassion for each other.
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We shall survive, my little one. Fear not, for tomorrow is yet another day.
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Believe in yourself.
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Wishing you great happiness, health, success & prosperity.
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Document and share as much news and information as you consume, that way in the future our ancestors can review history and learn about what was, comparing it to what is.
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I hope all of your dreams and everything you ever wanted comes true!
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Be the change you wish to see in the world.
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You + mom + me have the best time at places. Thanks Mom + Thanks Dad…and thanks Alice (little sister). Alice is really nice to me. – West, age 5
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You are stronger than you know.
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Don’t wait! & go catch the wave.
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You determine your future, never let someone get in the way of that.
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Try not to die.
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Carry on!
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Bill and Julie moved here in Blaine, WA, a month ago. We love it!!
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I love my mom.
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History is important!
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This is a really cool exhibit (Maritime history)
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Hi. We are enjoying the museum.
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I love this museum, its relly cool!
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This! Museum! Is! Super! cool!
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This place is the best museum ever.
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This museum and its artifacts are priceless things we can’t take for granted. We need to appreciate them for all their natural history and beauty.
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Explore life like a toddler – constant wonder and curiosity!! (1st visit to the museum with our toddler – fantastic experience.)
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I hope you like this Musem because there are a lot of good stuff here.
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I love all your old photographs and I liked the way you turned the old city hall into a museum.
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If you’re visiting (or planning to visit) around Christmas, check out the trees. They’re cool!
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Thank you to those that came before for “logging,” no pun intended, all the early successes and fails of the early years. Fascinating.
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I like this place.
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Wonderful report of interesting struggles, defeats and happiness thru the years. Thank you for the wonderful preservation of history. Bravo!!
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It was just a dream.
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My mom is the coolest!
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To my son…Be kind. Be gentle. Be sympathetic. And always love yourself and others equally.
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Surround yourself with family & friends and enjoy the life you have. Good Luck!
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My cat can eat a whole watermelon. Send more watermelons.
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Let Love Rule. Peace, joy and abundant goodness to all.
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May you live to be 100.
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Live in the moment; savor each day.
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You’re awesome.
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You are beautiful.
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Celebrate your life by being in joy.
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Where are you?
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When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hold on.
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Love is Love is Love is Love.
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Be kind! – Harrison
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Hi. I love you.
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Dear Pirates! I hope you find treasure. But if that doesn’t work, call your mates. If you can’t, Call us! Edward & Alaina. P.S. Beware of Danger.
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Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. You can make it. Push through.
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I wish that Eva will go to farhaven middle school and that we stay friends forever.
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Every morning, when I wake up, I choose to be Happy!!!
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Trust yourself.
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I hope my Grandparetns get this because they are in Russia and I miss them. PS. If you are reading this I will say thank you for understanding me.
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You should not be told things you are not!
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You can do it! Don’t know what it is you’re doing, but I believe.
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Love surrounds Bellingham.
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This is my secret: Love isn’t always enough, but sometimes you meet someone who is willing. Look and work to make love enough. That person is all we can hope for, that and lots of gummy bears.
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Hi. Hope you’re happy. Bellingham Rocks.
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Dream Big! Go Where Your Dreams take you! Always choose to Dance!
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An abundance of true everlasting love flows into me now! And so it is.
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There is exactly enough time to enjoy the things you choose to…
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Live to Love.
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Today is your day. Make it happen.
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Have a great and prosperous life.
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“I am not at all interested in what a man is. Rather, I am interested in what a man can become.” – Jean-Paul Sartre
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Peace to all – Please – and soon.
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Zack…Congratulations on your graduation from WWW today. You will be an asset w/your environmental science degree. Go forth and conquer the world. Do great things. XX Mom
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Write something nice.
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Love is out there! I didn’t believe it, but it’s there.
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Follow you dreams!
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Life is a daring adventure.
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To our children, and our children’s children. Take whatyou have learned here, all that you have experienced from this enchanting home ~ our Earth…and may it resonate its song, and dance always within your soul.
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Life is short but are good times are the best times and bad times should be left behind us.
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Women’s rights are human rights. Persist! Resist!
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Whoever finds this note will receive love and happiness.
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Love your neibor.
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Hello friends. I hope we have a play date.
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Hurray! People are waking up and taking good care of our earth now, and nature now, is awakening.
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Don’t throw garbage in the water.
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Kindness is always in our power, even when fondness is not. Always be kind.
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Move to New Zealand & write a book.
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Love heals. Trust in the power of kind hearts and open minds.
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Live the life you love, Love the life you live!
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Your miracle is only moments away.
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Be happy, Do good, always smile!!
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No matter how hard it is, you can do it! I always need someone to tell me this to get through hard days, and now I’m telling you. You got this.
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I love Bellingham!
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How many shrimps would you have to eat before they make your skin turn pink?
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You are not at the best part of your life yet. Let me know how it goes.
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Enjoy life! And food! And mushrooms! And Manga!
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Be who you are no matter the circumstance.
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Dear Finder, I am proud to write this letter because of the educational experience to it.
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It is hard to be 13.
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I love old times.
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Do more of what makes you happy, life is too short to live halfhearted.
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When the world turns its back on you, Become so outstanding the world turns around to look at you again.
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There is always a silver lining – you just have to look past the cloud…
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You control your own happiness, don’t let yourself down!
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Be Happy!!!!
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Water is like life, sometimes it can be rough but it’s always moving.
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You are awesome.
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Everybody party!
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Believe…it’s FUN.
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Peace to all man.
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I love Olivia. She is the best sister ever.
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LOVE.
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I love Frankie.
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The Chargers are the best team ever. GO Chargers!
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May Peace & Love Flow throughout the world in ocean waves.
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Spend yourself wisely, and be the best you can.
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Thank goodness the fish traps were outlawed in 1935.
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You can do it!
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Always be the positivity you want to see in the world. You never know the power of a kind smile until you’re on the receiving end.
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Delight in the little things.
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