As a little girl, my mother taught me to use a code word if I was in danger and couldn’t speak up

By
Monica Pop
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When I was still just a child, my mother taught me to use a code word if I ever felt uncomfortable around someone or felt like I was in some sort of danger but couldn’t say it outright. When I had daughter on my own, I decided to do the same with her. I explained how that worked and we came up with our secret word together.

However, I had no idea she’d use it that soon.

Namely, my girl, Amy, splits time between me and her dad, my ex-husband Dave. In fact, she’s staying with me but visits him often.

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Despite our differences and everything that had happened between us over the years, I know that Dave is a good dad who’d never harm our daughter. That’s is the reason I got extremely scared when Amy used the code word while staying at her dad’s one day.

Dave called me on the phone, saying, “Hey, Amy was eager to talk to you.”

When she got on the phone and I asked her about her day, Amy said, “It’s fun. I was at the park yesterday, and I drew some pictures this morning. I drew a dog, a tree, and… But I wish I could have a blue marker so I could draw blueberries.”

At that moment, my heart sank, “blueberries” was our secret word.

Was Amy in some sort of trouble?

“Don’t worry baby, I’m on my way, and don’t say anything to your dad.”

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I got into my car right away and headed to Dave’s place. When he saw me at the door, he was surprised. “Claire, I wasn’t expecting you,” he said.

“Well, I hope you don’t mind picking up Amy a bit early this time,” I said.

It looked like he wanted to protest, but he decided it would be better if he didn’t make a big deal out of it, so he agreed.

I could notice Dave was distant. It was as though something bothered him, but I was quick to leave the house and learn what scared my daughter that much.

She gave her dad a goodbye kiss and entered the car. But the moment she shut the door, she started crying.

“What’s wrong, honey,” I asked her.

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“Mom, dad wasn’t acting as usual. He was talking to someone on the phone and he was yelling so much. Then he slammed the door. I got scared, mom.”

“It’s okay, baby” I told her. “Daddy probably had a bad day, that’s it.”

That evening Dave called me on the phone asking about Amy. It was then that I told him why I picked her up. I explained that she had used our code word, that’s how scared she was of his yelling.

“A code word? What’s that?” Dave wanted to know. I explained everything to him and it was obvious he was very sorry for scarring our daughter.

“Things have been hard at work right now,” he said.

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I was proud that Amy found our code word handy when she felt uncomfortable and used it.

At that moment, I felt a profound gratitude for that small piece of parenting advice my own mom had given me so many years ago. The code word started as “just in case” thing, but I realized it truly worked well in a real life situation.

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My sister abandoned her adopted daughter after having a bio son

By
Monica Pop
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My sister Erin became a mom of a baby boy, Noah, and the entire family traveled few states away where she lived to celebrate the much-anticipated arrival of their bundle of joy.

Excited to meet my nephew, I bought a bunch of baby stuff and a teddy bear for Lily, my beautiful goddaughter whom my sister adopted some two years prior.

However, when we arrived at Erin’s suburban home, I noticed that Lily’s plastic slide wasn’t in the yard. The little garden she and I planted that summer was also gone. Puzzled, I knocked on Erin’s door, and the moment I got inside together with our mom and dad, Erin appeared at the door, holding her son in her arms.

“Everyone, meet Noah!” she said excitedly, turning the baby towards us.

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As I looked around the place, I noticed all of Lily’s toys were missing, including her drawings and the photos of her that were proudly placed all around the living room the last time I visited.

Finally, I asked, “Erin, where’s Lily!?” still smiling and holding her gift.

With all the indifference I’ve ever seen in a person, my sister said, “Oh, I gave her back!”

Being certain I misheard her, I asked for clarification. “What do you mean you gave her back?”

I could see our parents’ faces went stone cold as they too wondered what was actually going on.

Midjourney

“Well, I always dreamed of becoming a mother, and now that I have Noah, why would I need a daughter?” Erin said, “Lily’s going to be just find, they’ll find another family for her.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Erin, are you mad? That girl called you Mom for two years. She’s not a toy to return her, she was your daughter.”

My sister, obviously, didn’t think the decision to abandon her adopted daughter was a big deal.

“Relax, sis,” she said to me. “She wasn’t mine anyway. It’s not like I gave up my own child. Lily was just… temporary.”

Her words crushed my heard. How could my own sister be so cruel. What was she even thinking when she made such a crazy decision?

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At that moment, all the memories I had with Lily flashed in front of my eyes. She was my sweet little girl, my greatest comfort through my miscarriages, my goddaughter, and now my sister gave her away… just like that!

Apparently, Erin and her husband didn’t want to split their love between Lily and their biological son. The worst thing of all was that they believed that the decision to abandon her adopted daughter wasn’t a big deal. She even accused me for blowing the situation out of proportion.

As we argued, someone knocked on the door. To Erin’s surprise, it was karma coming to get her.

Two people from Child Protective Services asked to speak to Erin. Apparently, her neighbor, the one they always argued with, alerted the services of Erin’s decision to abandon her adopted daughter the moment she welcomed a biological child in her life.

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“We have some questions regarding your adoption process and your ability to provide a stable home for your son,” the woman, who introduced herself as Vanessa, said.

“We have grounds to believe that you rushed the adoption termination and skipped essential counseling before giving up custody of your daughter, Lily.”

Erin and her husband, David, claimed they followed legal procedures but Vanessa said they were alerted they returned the legally adopted child with no apparent transition plan, and that made them question their judgement as parents.

Erin broke into tears, but I didn’t feel sorry for her, not even a bit.

I simply couldn’t be around Erin a second longer, so I left.

Midjourney

All I could think of was Lily. I wanted to know where she was and how she felt. But learning all that wasn’t easy. The information regarding her whereabouts were not public.

Thankfully, thanks to my lawyer, we managed to track Lily down. She was placed in a foster home. My heart broke. She changed a couple of foster homes before my sister adopted her, and now she was going through the same once again.

Luckily, I got the right to visitation, and it didn’t take long before I filed adoption papers myself. Lily was a huge part of my life, and unlike my sister, I couldn’t turn my back to her.

It took a lot of time, patience, and a bunch of paperwork, but Lily was finally where she belonged, by my side.

Once the adoption process was final, my husband, Aaron, hugged me and said, “We finally did it.”

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His support and his love for Lily meant the world to me.

Last week, Lily turned six. She had a beautiful birthday party.

She sometimes hoards food, afraid it would be taken away, and has nightmares, but over time, she will be a lot better. And yes, she was convinced for a long time that she did something wrong and that’s why my sister abandoned her.

Lily, my sister’s adopted daughter whom she didn’t like any longer became my world.

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An Abandoned Pup and a Grieving Old Man: A Life-Changing Bond

By
Bryan Seal
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You wouldn’t think abandoned puppy becomes old man’s miracle would be the backbone of a real-life story, but that’s exactly what happened to 91-year-old Burt. After losing his wife and son, he felt like his world had ended—until a tiny pup showed up in a cardboard box and turned his solitary existence into something worth living again. Two years later, when that same dog disappeared, Burt’s quest to find him sparked a turn of events that proved miracles can come at any age.

A Chance Encounter in the Autumn Wind

It began on a crisp fall morning. Burt, weighed down by sorrow and his cane, was on his usual walk to church when he heard a faint whimper. There, inside a soggy cardboard box on the roadside, cowered a trembling black-and-white puppy. A handwritten note read: “Take care of him!” The old man’s heart, hardened by the deaths of his wife Martha and their son James, melted at the sight. For a moment, he felt a warmth he thought had left him forever. Without a second thought, he scooped up the pup, whispering, “Sometimes you show up just in time,” not knowing this abandoned puppy becomes old man’s miracle he desperately needed.

A New Reason to Smile

Burt christened the puppy “Sebastian,” the name Martha once said she’d give a second child if life had been kinder. Day by day, Sebastian grew healthier, filling the silent house with playful barks and unconditional love. Whether bringing Burt’s slippers at dawn or greeting him with a full-body tail wag after a grocery run, Sebastian lifted Burt’s gloom and drew him back into the world. Neighbors often caught glimpses of the pair slowly making their way through the streets each evening—an old man and his loyal dog, each leaning on the other for companionship.

The Thursday That Changed Everything

Two years later, on a restless Thursday in October, Sebastian vanished. He seemed agitated all morning, barking at distant howls from the park, presumably triggered by a female dog in heat. When Burt let him into the fenced yard, the dog slipped out through an accidentally unlatched gate. That quiet house was no stranger to loneliness, but this emptiness cut deeper than any wound Burt had felt since losing family. He placed missing-dog posters around town, offering a meager reward—just his famous pot roast and a heartfelt thanks. Days stretched on, with no sign of the pup. The spark in Burt’s eyes began to fade, proving how quickly an abandoned puppy becomes old man’s miracle can vanish from your life.

Desperation and a Helping Hand

At the police station, Burt’s plea fell on largely dismissive ears. Yet among the chuckles, a young officer named Charlie stepped up, promising to watch for Sebastian during his off-duty hours. Burt clung to that sliver of hope, continuing to search empty lots and calling the dog’s name until his voice cracked. Then, out of nowhere, Officer Charlie phoned him, urging Burt to come to an abandoned well near the old Miller property. Charlie had heard frantic barking echoing from below, and when he shined a light into the darkness, he glimpsed a star-shaped patch of fur on a dog’s chest—Sebastian’s unmistakable marking.

A Miraculous Reunion

Firefighters lowered themselves into the dried-up well, eventually pulling Sebastian to safety. Exhausted, filthy, but alive, he rushed into Burt’s arms as if to say, “I’m still here.” Witnessing that emotional moment was half the neighborhood, moved by the loyalty between a man and his dog. In that instant, nobody could deny how this abandoned puppy becomes old man’s miracle truly shaped Burt’s life. Sobbing into the dog’s muddy coat, the old man realized he wasn’t alone after all. Kindness from strangers and unwavering devotion from a four-legged friend had shattered his walls of despair. By evening, Burt had an entire team—firefighters, neighbors, even the once-skeptical officers—pledged to celebrate the dog’s safe return.

That night, Sebastian lay curled at Burt’s feet while the old man gently stroked his fur, tears of gratitude warming his cheeks. He recalled how Martha used to say that love sometimes arrives in the most unexpected forms. Sitting in his small living room, Burt whispered, “You truly saved me, Sebastian.” The dog’s gentle gaze seemed to reply, “No, we saved each other.” If that’s not the perfect testament to how an abandoned puppy becomes old man’s miracle, nothing else could be.

All Images Including Featured Image Are From Freepik.

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Mysterious Gifts Reunite an Elderly Woman with Her Long-Lost Son

By
Bryan Seal
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Loneliness had become Emma Richards’ constant companion – until a series of anonymous parcels began arriving daily. Little did she know, my long-lost son found me would soon become the twist that changed her life in ways she never expected.

An Old House, an Old Heartache

Emma’s world felt impossibly quiet ever since her husband John passed away seven years ago. With no children to fill the silence, she kept to her routine in a small, somewhat rundown house. Days blurred into weeks, and her contact with the outside world dwindled to the occasional polite chat with neighbors who moved on quickly, busy with their own lives.
But one cold morning, she heard the doorbell ring. When she opened the door, a masked delivery man handed her two large boxes. Confusion warred with curiosity as she signed for them. “Ma’am, these are anonymous,” he said. “But rest assured, they’ve been cleared for safety.” Emma had no clue who would spend money on her—a lonely widow with no family in sight.

Surprising Packages Pile Up

From that day forward, the mystery deliveries never ceased. Every box contained thoughtful items: groceries, clothing in her size, even some shiny kitchen gadgets. At first, she assumed it might be an old friend playing a prank or a local charity mixing up addresses. But when she asked the delivery man—who introduced himself as Ted—he smiled warmly, saying someone clearly held her dear in their heart.
Soon, Emma found herself waiting for Ted each afternoon, offering him tea or cookies and chatting about trivial things. He was kind, always brushing off her questions about the sender with a gentle shrug. After a few weeks, she received a sealed note that read: “Tell me what else you need, and I will provide it.” Bemused, she wrote a short list, not wanting to burden anyone.
Although she appreciated the help, she couldn’t shake the feeling that these gifts carried a deeper meaning. Could it be that my long-lost son found me, or was she simply daydreaming?

A Vanishing Delivery Man

Then came the day when Ted didn’t show up. Worried something might have happened, Emma hurried to the local post office to look for him. But to her dismay, no one by the name of Ted worked there. Each explanation left her more confused, her mind racing. She returned home to find a small package by the door. Inside was a single key on a ring and a typed letter. Reading the words made her hands tremble:

“Mrs. Richards,
I found out one month ago why I always felt like something was missing. My long-lost son found me might sound like a dream, but in reality, I discovered I was adopted. I hired a private investigator, and after digging through old files, I discovered you are my birth mother. I know you and Dad had no means to raise me back then.
Please don’t feel guilty. I’m grateful for the life I had—but now, I want you in my life. I bought a new home and would love if you’d move in with me. Use this key if you decide to come.
With love, your ‘delivery man,’
Ted.”

A History of Heartache Revealed

Emma’s tears blurred her vision. The truth she’d guarded for decades—that she and John once had a baby they were too poor to raise—now collided with this hopeful confession. They had left their infant at an orphanage with a note expressing regret and love. She’d never seen him again. Yet here he was, the kind stranger who’d spent weeks making sure she had everything she needed. Indeed, my long-lost son found me, and he’d chosen compassion over resentment.
Eager to confirm this miracle, Emma prepared to leave her house to search for Ted. But before she could step outside, a gentle knock sounded at the door. She opened it to find him standing there, mask-free, a mixture of nervousness and relief in his eyes.

Reunited at Last

“Mom,” Ted whispered, voice thick with emotion. Emma’s heart clenched at the unfamiliar yet intimate word. She let out a sob, pulling him into a shaky hug. “I’m sorry, dear boy,” she murmured. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
Ted gently rubbed her back. “I’m not angry, Mom. You did what you thought was best. The question is… can we start fresh, together?”
Emma nodded through tears. The day was surreal, like she’d wandered into someone else’s life story, but the warmth in her chest told her it was real. No more secrets, no more regrets. She locked up her old home for good and hopped into Ted’s car, resting her hand on his. If she was truly honest with herself, she’d dreamt for years that my long-lost son found me one day—and that day had finally arrived.

A New Home, a Renewed Heart

Ted’s house was bright and lively, filled with the sound of children’s laughter—his kids, Emma’s grandkids. They greeted Emma with wide smiles, ready to show her around. That night, after the excitement calmed, she and Ted sat by a window, sipping tea, talking about everything from recipes to their shared love of old jazz records.
It took a while for Emma to fully let go of her guilt, but Ted’s unwavering kindness chipped away at her fears. He wanted her to be a grandmother to his kids. “We have years to catch up on,” he said. Emma nodded, tears brimming again, but this time they were tears of joy. She found herself thinking, “Life might just be generous enough to give second chances.”

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She Vanished from the Maternity Ward, Leaving Our Newborn Twins and Only a Note

By
Bryan Seal
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I can’t believe my wife left me in the hospital on the day we were supposed to come home together with our newborn twins. I was bursting with excitement, lugging balloons and homemade decorations, picturing how perfect it would be to bring Suzie and our daughters back to a cozy house. But instead, I found an empty bed, two sleeping babies, and a note that changed everything.

My Wife’s Sudden Disappearance

Nurses told me Suzie had checked out earlier that morning, claiming I already knew. I stared at them, speechless, as tears threatened to spill over. The note just said, “Take care of them. Ask your mother WHY she did this to me.” That single line replayed in my head on the drive home. Why would my wife left me in the hospital on such a momentous day? The more I thought about it, the more confused and angry I became.

Unraveling the Truth

At home, I confronted my mother, suspecting she’d somehow driven Suzie away. She swore she hadn’t, only that Suzie had confided fears of feeling neglected, alone, and anxious about motherhood. She’d told Suzie she’d support her whether she stayed or not. Could Suzie have misread that as a push to run? I shuddered at the idea that my wife left me in the hospital because she felt she had no better option. So I spent nights phoning her, texting, hoping for any response. She finally called, revealing she’d sought solace at her sister’s place to cope with the overwhelming weight of new motherhood.

A Chance to Rebuild

Sighing with relief, I asked Suzie to come home, promising we’d seek help—therapy, shorter work hours, and real conversations about her mental health. Over time, we learned that sometimes postpartum fears or depression can be misunderstood, turning a well-intentioned comment into a reason to flee. Yet we managed to heal, day by day. It felt surreal that my wife left me in the hospital over an emotional storm we could’ve weathered together, but we were determined to grow from the experience and raise our daughters as a united family.

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My Husband Left Me for My Old Friend After I Miscarried — Three Years On, I Saw Them and Couldn’t Stop Smiling

By
Bryan Seal
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I never dreamed my husband left me after miscarriage would describe my life, but it did. In the blink of an eye, Michael—the man I’d built five years of history with—ran off with Anna, a friend from my high school days. For months, I wandered through heartbreak, convinced my life had fallen apart. Yet destiny tossed me into an encounter years later that reminded me how heartbreak can lead to hidden blessings.

The Early Years and a Sudden Change

Back when we shared our tiny home, Michael and I were content with cozy movie marathons and lazy Sunday brunches. My high school buddy, Anna, practically lived in our living room, catching up on every personal milestone. Then, I got pregnant, and while it felt like we were stepping into a new chapter, Michael began acting strangely withdrawn. Just when I needed him most, tragedy struck: I lost the baby. Soon after, my husband left me after miscarriage, and it was like he’d taken the last piece of my heart with him.

The Cruel Twist of Betrayal

Although I battled daily with grief, I tried to stay strong, leaning on Anna’s reassuring words. But the real shock came when she vanished too—right about the time Michael said he “couldn’t do this anymore.” My mother was the one who pieced together the puzzle. She stumbled upon Anna’s social media, plastered with pictures of her and Michael living it up on sun-drenched beaches. I realized how my husband left me after miscarriage wasn’t the only gut-wrenching blow: my best friend had replaced me in the life I had planned.

Rebuilding From the Ground Up

It took every ounce of willpower to push forward. Knowing he’d cheated, I filed for a divorce with proof of the affair. Despite the heartbreak, I came out with the house—and more importantly, my self-respect. I found a glimmer of hope in Daniel, a kindhearted man who understood my wounds. When we eventually welcomed a baby girl, I discovered a joy far deeper than what I’d imagined with Michael. My new life was unexpectedly peaceful, no longer weighed down by lies or half-empty promises.

The Sweet Sting of Karma

Three years later, I pulled into a gas station. That’s where fate let me see them again—Michael and Anna, hunched over a broken-down car, bickering as his credit card got rejected multiple times. Their toddler was crying, tension crackled in the air. I stood a short distance away, recalling the day my husband left me after miscarriage, and how I’d imagined they would be living in bliss. Yet there they were: strapped for cash, exasperated, and clearly worn out. A wave of relief coursed through me—I’d escaped that life. While I felt a twinge of pity, I also felt triumphant. Sometimes, the universe has a funny way of restoring balance.

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The reason dogs often chase people

By
Monica Pop
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It is in the nature of dogs to chase after things, whether it’s a ball, a tree branch, or another object. It’s an activity they truly enjoy. But have you ever wondered why they chase humans too? If yes, we may have the answer.

One of the reasons why dogs chase people is because of their drive to pray.

These creatures have an innate instinct to chase moving things. Also, they are territorial animals and sometimes chase people in order to protect their territory. When dogs start barking, growling, or showing teeth when a person approaches their home, they may show this kind of behavior because they feel threatened for their territory.

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Further, dogs sometimes bark at people and chase after them when they encounter new experiences. No matter how strange this sounds, the new people they meet have their own scent, certain body movements, as well as behaviors that the dogs haven’t experienced before, so they feel threatened. The truth is, dogs are just cautious in such situations.

There are certain human traits that can make dogs angry. For some dogs, it may be wearing glasses, while for others, it could be wearing a hat. Some dogs are also angered by certain people’s voices.

It is a well known fact that the dog is a man’s best friend, so, when the dog chases after strangers and barks at them, it may be because they believe they are protecting their owner that way.

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One valuable trait dogs are believed to possess is sensing human’s nature.

These animals are keen observers that watch and remember human’s actions.

Sometimes dogs show aggressive behavior, such as barking and chasing after people, because of past experiences. They may have been hurt by a human in the past and are now cautious around new people.

One way to prevent your dog express anger against other people is to treat them well since they are little, to expose them to different noises and scents.

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What also helps is a good training and a little reward in form of a treat when they behave good around other people. Positive reinforcement is never a bad idea.

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19-year-old football player suffocates on his own stomach acid

By
Monica Pop
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19-year-old Luca Manolache was a professional football player who played for Metaloglobus Bucure’ti until August 2024 before he was forced to put his career on hold due to a series of health issues.

Reportedly, young Luca suffered from prolonged dizziness, bloody stools, and chills. He lacked energy to finish even the first halves of the matches during the past couple of months, as per the Daily Mail.

During a match, his symptoms were so severe that the club needed to call an ambulance.

At the time, young football player Luca Manolache complained his vision turned black.

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His condition worsened once again on February 28 while he was out with a family members. Ambulance was called one again, and while the young football player waited for them to arrive, he called his mother. “Mum, Mum, I can’t do it anymore,” he told his mom.

His mother reported she had heard her son asking one of the nurses if she thought he was going to die.

As per The Sun, while Luca was inside the ambulance, he once again complained that his vision was black.

His mom rushed to the County Hospital in Târgoviște, Romania, but he passed away before she got there. It was Luca’s siter who called her mom and told her of her brother’s passing.

According to the doctors, they tried to save him, but while doing so, his body began to negatively react with his stomach acid which led to drowning.

The club he played for expressed their disbelief and sadness over the loss of Luca.

“We are shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic loss. His love for football and his smile brought happiness on the field. 

“The last appearance in the Metaloglobus shirt was on August 24, 2024, in the match against CS Afumati, playing 10 minutes from the reserve position. 

“Following the game against CS Afumati, the player complained of fatigue during training, which led the technical staff to stop him from training and recommend thorough medical examinations. 

“Rest in peace dear ‘Mano’. Sincere condolences to the grieving family, the entire Metaloglobus family is with you in these devastating moments,” the club posted on the social media.

We are so very sorry for this tragic loss.

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