I have no idea what time it is. Or what day. Between the hour time difference from Illinois {where I stayed for three nights and breathed in deep Midwestern kindness, love, and fresh air...} and the holiday yesterday {yes, I know it was Columbus Day, but I still say the actual holiday was my birthday...} I don't know which direction I'm going in, if I should be making breakfast or snack or cake for breakfast {for the win} or what.
I had a lovely time away. I had the chance to drink tea and have fellowship with my sweet, first blog friend. In person. I had dinner with two other friends, one who I have worked with for years, and is a creative visionary of sorts! The other... she is a kindred spirit, a writer who challenges not only herself, but her readers. I love that. And I feel so blessed and honored to call all of these women my friends. I get teary thinking about our hugs. Our stories.
Every now and then I get all confused and make things way more complicated than they should be. Sometimes I do that with blogging. But ultimately, blogging has brought me closer to people who make my heart sing in ways I would never imagined possible. In my every day life I do not talk about the creative process. Or writing in general. Or about the balance of creative soul vs. motherhood. And then I even more rarely talk about faith in person. About God's love and the creativity that can come from Him... it just doesn't happen. So finding time where there are no children around to take attention from *right here* in front of us, it is precious.
There is also something so powerful about bringing online friendships to face to face hugging friendships. It takes a lot to be honest and open online. But it takes even more... authenticity maybe?... to be the open person that the anonymity of blogging can bring out in us, in person. Seldom have I met someone in person who has not been as they led me to believe in their writing. I have been blessed in my interactions with fellow writers.
I'm settling back in at home, getting ready for school in a bit, navigating the waters of routine. Sinking in with a full, open heart, and memories that will propel me forward in writing. In being. In keeping these important friendships alive and well.
ahhh it was so nice to finally hug you too. thank you for the visit. xo <3
ReplyDeleteHappy belated birthday, Corinne! It sounds like you spent it in a beautiful way.
ReplyDeleteI love what you have to say here about blogging and the community you have created through it. I found myself nodding along, reminded once again of how blogging gives me the chance to talk about things that I never talk about in my off-screen life, except with the handful of blogging friends whom I have come to know in person.
I'm still sad that I didn't get the chance to meet you the summer I was pregnant with Baby Sister. But I know our paths will cross one day. I hope that day is soon. xo
Creative visionary - puhlease!
ReplyDeleteIt was so great to meet and spend time with you, next figure out how to get us to the East Coast :-)
How is that the hard part? We know how to drive! ;-) Silly.
DeleteI often wonder what it would be like to meet my blogging friends in person. I think they might be surprised that I don't talk nearly as much as I write. There might be awkward silences!
ReplyDeleteYour trip sounds wonderful, what bliss!
I may never see the fields the same ever again after driving the roads alongside them with you. Those three days were a blessing and refreshing in ways I don't yet have words for.
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