Photo by Simone Uriartt
Today’s good news story comes from the Good News Network. Here it is in its entirety. Also, for those concerned about Twiggy. The operation was a success, and she is home and resting comfortably. She had a torn meniscus as well as a ligament, so the surgery was a must-do. Twiggy will see you all next Thursday. Thanks for all your messages and well wishes.
Top 30 Most Delightful Things That Happen Unexpectedly–Like Finding Cash in Jeans or Compliments from Strangers
A new poll compiled the top 30 most unexpectedly delightful things to happen, including pulling cash from the pocket of an old pair of jeans, getting a surprise refund, and receiving a compliment from a stranger.
The survey of 2,000 adults found 36 percent love it when someone lets them jump the line in a supermarket and when they find a treasured item that had been lost.
Driving through a run of green lights, catching a whiff of a familiar smell from your childhood, and hearing your favorite song pop up on the radio, also feature in the top 30 list.
(Imagine feeling double the joy if you run into all green lights while your favorite track begins to play!)
Commissioned by Alpen Delight (UK snack brand manufacturer), a spokesperson for the snack brand said: “The nicest things are those which are totally unexpected, and they don’t have to be big things—sometimes little moments lead to big smiles.
Respondents guessed that unexpectedly delightful things happen to them an average of twice per week, and it automatically puts them in a good mood.
But it’s not just being on the receiving end of these unplanned surprises that brings the most joy. 77 percent of those polled find making others happy improves their mood, too—which is why 36 percent try to do this as often as they can.
Such acts include smiling as they walk past another person (52%), just being there to listen to a friend (50%), and telling someone they’re proud of them (38%).
Nearly four in ten have cheered up others by making the effort to cook someone a meal or by letting another driver into their lane while on the road.
And a generous 19% find joy in paying for the meal while out for dinner.
84 percent of those surveyed by market research firm OnePoll, said these moments in life restore a little hope in humanity. And half say they’re more inclined to pay such moments forward if they’ve been on the receiving end themselves.
“It’s good to see how people enjoy delivering, and not just receiving, lovely surprises,” said the Alpen Delight spokesman.
TOP 30 UNEXPECTED MOMENTS OF DELIGHT:
1. Finding money in a coat or jeans pocket
2. Getting a surprise refund
3. A compliment from a stranger
4. Someone letting you go ahead of them in line at a store
5. When the radio plays your favorite song
6. Receiving a bonus at work
7. Constant green lights on the road
8. Hearing your baby’s first word
9. Your partner randomly showing affection
10. When someone actually understands what you’re talking about
11. A familiar smell from your childhood
12. A loved one randomly telling you they’re proud of you
13. Finding a treasured lost item
14. Waking up before your alarm and getting to sleep for longer
15. Getting upgraded – on an airplane or at a hotel
16. Thinking it’s Thursday, but it’s actually Friday
17. When a child starts a conversation with you
18. Receiving a postcard
19. Hitting the exact number when getting gasoline
20. Getting home from work and finding someone else has cooked dinner
21. A work meeting getting canceled last minute because the boss isn’t in
22. Seeing a funny car license plate
23. Getting asked for ID when you’re way over 21
24. When you’re brought breakfast in bed
25. When you and your friend say the same thing at the same moment
26. When your teenager wants to spend quality time with you
27. Your neighbor bringing over a baked good
28. Bumping into an old schoolteacher – and they recognize you
29. Catching the eye of your favorite artist during their performance
30. Witnessing a proposal in public
The good news here is that if we recognize these things that delight others, we can easily do just that. Today’s JohnKu talks about doing unto others. I hope you have a fabulous weekend.
Pay it Forward by John W. Howell © 2023
A list of thirty,
Things that delight other folks . . .
Pick one, go for it.
Fiction Favorites 
[…] Friday JohnKu – AKA- TGIF – Fri-Yay/Good News […]
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Thanks for sharing my post today.
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Thanks for the Twiggy update … and cheers to the success. Now, let’s hope she’s a good patient …. but will she be able to control herself from the angst of FedEx, Amazon, and UPS trucks?
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That is why we have heavy drugs. She is not allowed to do anything. (poor dear)
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I’ll take some of that.
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🤣
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Hooray for Miss. Twiggy!! What a lovely way to start my day. ❤
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Thank you, Annette.
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Thank goodness Twiggy is doing well. And thank you for another great post of Good News. I hope you have a wonderful weekend, John. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. I hope you have a peaceful weekend too. 🤗
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Found a dollar in the parking lot the other day. Put it in the doughnut cup. Today is doughnut day at work. Good times.
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You are living now. That doughnut will be the best. 😁
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This post sure brought a smile. Just reading that list brought back many fond memories! Thank you very much, John.
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I thought it was a good list. Thanks, GP.
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What a wonderful list. Just reading it made me feel good. I’m happy Twiggy is on the road to recovery. That’s great news, John.
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Thank you, Jill. 😁
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A great list. I agree with all of them. We witnessed a marriage proposal at a Spanish restaurant about 12 years ago. It was so special. Thank heaven Twiggy is OK. Snuggles from me.
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Thank you, Darlene. Each of these items could be a great memory. 😁
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Great news for Twiggy. Not sure I agree with #30 on that list. Sounds awkward, especially if the answer is no.
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Ha ha ha. I’ll bet there have been a few of those. Thanks Charles.
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What a neat list — thank you for blogging about it. Many of these are certainly relatable, like a loved one saying they’re proud of you. But the one about hitting the exact number when pumping gas… that was an unexpected item in this list of unexpected happenings that bring delight, so that also brought delight 🙂
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I have never hit an exact number so if I did I would be delighted too. Thanks Dave. I agree it is an odd one to see on a delighted list.
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Just last week I made it down the entire length of NASA Rd I without hitting a red light, and you can believe I was grinning the whole time. I hope the Twigster’s recovery goes as smoothly.
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Thank you, Linda. She’s doing well today. Your story reminds me of the time I lived in Indiana and there was a road that had a series of lights which I never made. One night coming home from work I made all of them and then there was the last. I knew I had to speed up to make it which I did. I was so focused I didn’t notice the police car behind me. After I made it through the light he pulled me over. I explained what I was doing and he thought it logical and let me go. 😁 Obviously I was delighted. I never made those lights again.
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That made me laugh out loud, for reals!
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The cop actually laughed as well. Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed the story. 😊
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Happy that Twiggy’s OK. Send her my love.
Good list! As for #21, having a meeting canceled at the last minute for any reason is an unexpected moment of delight.
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Thank you, John. She is doing well. The canceled meetings I always loved was the performance review meeting. Delightful.
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Glad to hear Twiggy is home and resting. The green lights always put me in a good mood. Have a great weekend, John!
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Thank you, Teri. I hope you have a great weekend as well.
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I really like the one flower forcing itself through the floor boards.
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Love this post John. It is so inspirational. I’m so pleased to hear that Twiggy’s surgery went well.
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Thank you, Lynne. e are happy too.
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I recently found some files from an old computer on a rewritable CD. I thought some of them had been lost forever. I found writing, genealogy notes, and more. That was a treasure!
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How delightful, Joan. 😁
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A wonderful post and list, John. So many of these are just simple acts of kindness and showing someone that you care. Easy to do and free of charge. Thanks for the inspiration.
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I agree, Diana. Thanks for the good words.
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Happy FriYAY, John! I love this list of 30 things and smiled as I read.
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A smile is a delightful thing too.
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I’m going to have to go with #5. Instant mood brightener. There is chair dancing involved.
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Ha ha ha. Good choice, Liz.
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I thought so!
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😊
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It’s good to hear Twiggy’s surgery went well. ❤
That's a great list, John, and thinking of doing something on the list for somebody is surely positive. 🙂
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I think so too. Tim. Thanks.😊
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You’re welcome, John. 😀
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😊
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#17. It always makes me smile–and laugh– when a child is sitting in a shopping cart and as I walk down the aisle, they wave and say, “Hi!”–like we know each other! So cute.
Glad to hear all went well with Twiggy. Girl did it up big time, didn’t she?!
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She did it up big time. That’s Twiggy though. Go big or go home is her motto. Thanks, Lois. 😁
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You have a wonderful list.
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Thank you, Molly Shea. 😊
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I am so glad Twiggy’s surgery went well. We should be hanging out together. 🙂 What a fun list of 30 things to lift your mood. I’d have to say getting a long stretch of all green lights makes me giddy!! And especially if the radio is playing one of my favorites. Happy weekend, John. Give Twiggy lots of love.
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Thank you, Jan. Yes, you and Twiggy should hang. Of course who would take care of the two of you. I hope your weekend is happy as well.
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So happy to hear Twiggy is doing well today. Give her an extra treat for me 🙂 Love this list, I always try to do something nice when I can. I know when someone does for me. It sure brightens my day
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Those acts do brighten a day, Denise. I hope you have a swell weekend. 😁
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Thank you, you too!
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😊
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GREAT news about Twiggy. And this post is a wonderful reminder of how to brighten people’s day. I’ve tried to do this for a long time – it’s so nice when people say thank you!
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I agree, Noelle. It is nice.
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So happy Twiggy’s on the mend – now to keep her quiet while she heals!
As for this list, so many are things that I enjoy receiving and giving. I’m still basking in the feel goods when I think of the time I gave a woman a compliment on her beautiful eyes – she was feeling invisible until then.
Happy Friday to you and your household!
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Thank you so much. Happy Friday to you too Dale.
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Thank you, kind sir!
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😁
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I’m so glad the surgery went well and Twiggy is recovering nicely. Of course, she has the best caregivers in the world to help her along 🙂
I love this good news list. While it perks me up when I have an unexpected pleasant surprise, I’m also one of those who gets more of a lift when I offer a small kindness to others. Sometimes it is something as simple and easy as letting someone with two items go ahead of my full shopping cart at the supermarket. Sometimes I have to get a bit more involved.
I’ll tell you a story:
One day I was leaving a parking lot and saw a weather-beaten old guy standing at the corner with a sign asking for help. I had seen him there lots of times but never interacted with him. Something came over me. I had a green light so I couldn’t stop. Instead, I went around the block, fingers crossed that there’d be a red light when I got to the corner and I could stop. There was a red light. So I rolled down my window and handed the guy a bottle of water with $5 stuck to it (my usual MO).
We started chatting (it was a long red light). He told me that making someone smile made his day. I gave him my biggest smile, and we both laughed. Then the light turned green and I had to leave. But he had made my day.
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Great story, Marie. There are so many opportunity to get a smile if folks would take the time. You were sweet to drive around the corner.
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Thanks, John xo
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😊
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I really delight at finding money I “tucked away for a special reason,” then “forgot” where I’d put it! It’s like birthday and Christmas, all rolled into one! Glad to hear Twiggy’s recovering nicely — give her a hug from me and the Monk.
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Thank you, Debbie. She loved the hug.
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She should get lots of them every day!
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She does
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It’s the simple things that count and cost nothing or very little. Don’t spoil Twiggy too much. I’m glad the surgery went well. Thanks for the update and have a good weekend.
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Thank you, Jo. Have a great weekend too.
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I hope you received my response. It disappeared 🌷
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I got it – Great news about Twiggy, such a sweetie! Loved the list of delights🙂 It was marked as “someone.” 🌹 Thank you.
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Haha, anonymous has struck again 🙃
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Yes, indeed.
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I really enjoyed this list! It makes me smile and validates that even the smallest things are the most important. Thank you for the update on Twiggy!! I hope she gets extra treats and a new toy.
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She is doing well. Total bed rest for her. Thanks, Jennie.
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Good news! Thanks, John.
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😁
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There is only six that I have not experienced. I do love to pay it forward. It makes me feel good about myself. Great news about Twiggy!
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This does not surprise me that you play it forward, Pam. 🤗
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Many fond memories of meetings being cancelled, John.
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Yes indeed.
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I know I’m late, John, but it doesn’t diminish my pleasure in reading this post at all! Loved every word, and am reminded to do MY part in spreading happiness whenever and wherever I can. Thanks for a truly uplifting share!! You’ve made my morning! 😀 ❤
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marcia. I hope you have a great week.
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😊
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YAY about Twiggy!
I’m always late to the party, so the last to get a treat.
This is the good news today, really.
Nice list of things.
I’m guilty of complimenting strangers.
So, I am happy I made the list, from the other side.
Fun JohnKu!
ɉǩ OX
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You should be proud of complimenting strangers. I hope you are. I say hello to them and sometimes they are dumbfounded.
Ochse OX
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It feels good to make someone happy. It’s an easy reward for me.
Brilliant! We’re expanding into international horizons!
Bue 🐂🐂
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amoureuse 🐂
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Got me!
I thought …it looks like love, but it’s probably an OX!
🐂💋
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French…Lovely OX
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💋💋💋
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😊
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10, 16, 19, 23 are so funny. 26 is great. I do try to let cars in (except maybe if I’m in a hurry), and I love paying people compliments too. Just before leaving the brewery the other night, I told a woman she was beautiful. I hope it made her day.
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I’m sure it did.
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Thanks. 🙂
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It’s nice to read something that gives people hope. Because man, it seems as if the stuff is running low in most places!
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It is nice.
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Thanks for all these happy thoughts John. And glad to hear the good report about Twiggy. 🙂
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Happy thoughts are always good for sharing. Twiggy is back to her high maintenance self. Thanks, Debbie.
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Lol, that is great to hear! 🙂
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Except we have to keep her on limited movement for eight weeks 😳
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That’s the hard part.
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Sure is.
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I’m so happy for Twiggy, dear John! Great news indeed!🌞🌞🌞🌷🌷🌷👍🍻🍤🍤🍤
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Another report tomorrow. She is doing very well. Thank you for your good wishes. 🍰 🥂
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I’m feeling your pain, Twiggy! (gonna be up for meniscus surgery sometime too!) Hope you’re gettin’ better!
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Good luck with that. Twiggy had a torn meniscus and ligament. Best wishes, Willow.
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Poor Twiggy!
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It was bad. But doing okay now.
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It must have been so scary!
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It just took a long time for rehab. The surgery was the easy part.
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