On October 3, 2011, I told my first story here. A story of fear. A story of finding perspective. A simple story of childhood and discovering the artist in me.
My feet are firmly on this path now. With you. This examining of small moments to recognize the bigger picture.
This journey of drawing near to God and these minutes, these days. Seeking to recognize places we feel, give thanks, heal, dream, extend, love.
What joy to write. What joy to encourage and be encouraged. What joy to experience the beginnings of beautiful community in a place I never expected.
I’m amazed at a year of this thing an old people-pleasing perfectionist said she would never, could never do.
I can hardly believe how much I love this, how many words still live in me.
And I can hardly believe you are not completely sick of me.
Happy One Year to us.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
I’m so glad you have more words for us! We could never tire of you:) Happy Bloggy Anniversary!! xx
Thanks so much for your kind words, Smidge!
So glad to have found you and your stories. I read a lot of posts everyday. Many of those writers challenge and charge me. Many of them stretch my understanding, bring me a sense of solidarity and help sanction what I know must be made so. Your words do those things, too.
But, your words and spirit have also given me a greater gift…the deep knowledge of another heart stretched and wound round people and places and a purpose I dare say I share. I have found many teachers, many mentors in this bloggy land…in you, I may have just found a friend.
Congratulations on a wonderful year! Here’s to many more.
Kim
Kim, so touched by your words. These things you speak of — only God could do this. I’m awed, and grateful…for this journey, for you. For friendship through shared hearts and lives “wound round people and places and a purpose.” The body doing what the body does with the glorious head. And all the while we’re being renewed. Unbelievable, really. Thank you for journeying with me, friend.
happy bloggy day, my cherished friend. so proud of you! just think….hearing your words at our girls weekend about the woman wiping jesus feet with her hair….and look where HE has taken you. i love it! so proud. xoxo kinny
Thank you, buddy. I cherish you and your encouragement, and I couldn’t imagine a first audience more loving and supportive. You and the girls being there in that way helped me claim the courage I needed to do this. It’s incredible what God does when we give it away — whatever our “it” may be. Love you, friend.
Congratulations Ashley…..My heart is bursting with joy! Thanks for letting me walk this journey with you…You are a profound encourager of the power of story….forward now, more is to come.
Sweet Angela, all the words you’ve heard, all the processing you’ve helped me do, all the encouragement given to find my authentic voice, all the ways you’ve affirmed me and this thing in me…I am so so grateful. I’ve learned so much about freedom in writing from you, too, my dear. I love you and our journey of seeking, and connecting, and making sense of life through words.
I agree with Kindz … so proud of you, friend! Looking forward to many more years (and words!) to come. :)
Thank you, Mags, and thanks for all the atta-girls along the way!
I agree with others! I’m so proud of you & happy to benefit from your journey of blogging…Happy 1 Year with many more to come!
Thank you, sweet friend. Thanks for journeying with me!
It’s been a good year. Thanks for making the effort. Brendan loves you too and your blog and your family. (He’s home sick today.)
Thanks, Shelley. Please tell Brendan I love him and appreciate the ways he keeps me writing. It is good to share stories with these precious little people. Please tell him, too, Shel, that I’d be honored if he ever wanted to share one of his stories with me. :-) Love to you and your dear family.
Happy Anniversary! Cheers to many, many more years of writing and discovery!
Thanks so much, Donna! I really appreciate you joining me on the journey. So much more to discover, isn’t there?
Happy Anniversary, friend. You have celebration on your lips and in your heart I can tell. Can’t wait to go back into the archives and read more of your wonderful heart. So glad that we bumped into each other in our bloggy world. Your spirit and joy and love for words is infectious, contagious. I have found a kindred spirit. And that’s a God gift on your anniversary, I should be the one bearing gifts. Cheers.
Bless you, sweet friend. Thanks for all your encouragement…it means so much. I am deeply grateful to have met you on this journey. What joy to share this love of words and, through that, a love of so much more. I count you a precious gift, Elizabeth!
Happy Anniversary, dear friend. What a beautiful thing you have entered into and have chosen to share with others. What a gift this has been to others, but I stand in awe of what it is doing in you.
Thank you so much, my dear friend. I am blessed in this in so many ways. Thank you for sharing with me, encouraging me, loving me in all the ways you do. Grateful, grateful.
How lucky we all are that you showed up so full & true, Ashley. I feel deeply blessed that we have connected…what a precious, shining spirit you have. I feel lulled by your words, by you.
Happy 1 year!
Thank you, Julia! I feel so blessed, as well. And the gifts of connecting just keep on coming, don’t they? So grateful for your heart oozing color and poetry and love.
Yep, we still love you & your writing, too!
You’re so dear. Thanks, my friend!
Well, I skipped in at the end of your first year, but I’m looking forward to knowing you through your stories here in the second year. Really, after reading just one post, I could relate to you on so many levels that I, too, wonder if I will have found another bloggy friend as this year passes…
I feel the same, Amber. Thank you so much for reaching out. I look forward to growing in friendship and our love of words this year. :-)
This isn’t for the “five-minute”thing that I meant to access. I’m trying to say ‘thank you’ for your sweet card and letter of condolence. It was good to hear from you, honey. The card is exquisite and your note expressed your sorrow perfectly. His death was so unexpected and I am really at peace because he didn’t have to suffer long, nor endure the indignities of a nursing facility. We gave much to each other and laughter much. My iPad thinks for me, honey, and inserts stuff that I don’t want, including ‘ laughter’—above paragraph. Thanks again, for the lovely note.
My love, Grams.
Sent from my iPad