My friends – this is how I felt after reading each kind
comment on my last post:
Sustained
Affirmed
Challenged
Supported Encouraged
Cared for
Loved Valued
Reminded
Listened to Acknowledged
Understood
Helped Embraced
Inspired
You all brought me to tears.
I have never had so many people offer up the wellspring of support and
good wishes I received from you – and to think this came from people whom I
have not met. I cannot begin to express
my gratitude – You lift me up! I feel
closer to this global community of writers than I do to anyone I can see and
touch (outside of my family). I was not
unhappy – quite the opposite, in fact.
But now I soar! Thank you and
thank you and thank you.
Quotes for the day:
Strangers are just friends waiting to happen. ~Rod McKuen
We
can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts
are
conscious of our treasures. ~Thorton
Wilder
Oh! How beautifully you expressed your gratitude! How did you think of doing that?
ReplyDeleteI am so glad - and yes, you have displayed your feelings well!
ReplyDeleteLove your format and glad everyone could help. This is an amazing group of people but to commit to 30 days of writing...we would have to be, right???
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing, isn't it? Words bring us comfort and closeness and you don't even know these people, but you do know them through the words they share. It's an awesome feeling to have this in your life. You were in my thoughts all day. Keep sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so glad that all is good! Sometimes we think we need more of what ever . . . but really all we need is right in front of us!
ReplyDeleteI did not respond to your post yesterday - mainly because it struck a chord and I did not feel ready to. I think there's a difference between lonliness and solitude - I have few friends, but that's because I like my solitude. As I have aged, I have come to accpt who I am and feel comfortable with it - I think that's the key - accepting yourself for who you are. And you reached out to this community - an act that required much bravery and self awareness.
ReplyDeleteJulie...you fit the quote that Ruth put up today...you had the courage to write about emotional pain. Maybe some of us have found some kindred spirits through this writing experience. That is so exciting to me. Tonight I'll be starting to work on my piece that is emotionally challenging. Thank you for paving the way.
ReplyDeleteI love the way your feelings float on the page -- you have captured perfectly the way I feel after reading comments from this community! By the way, I read your post from yesterday and I want you to know that I understand how you feel. Husband and I have struggled the past few years because all (no really, ALL but like 1) of our close friends from high school and college have gradually moved to other towns and other states. We hardly ever get to see or talk to them, and we haven't really made any new friends. I travel between 3 schools during the year so it's pretty much impossible to really get close to anyone at work, and Husband works in a small building with nobody who's really close to our age. Like you, we enjoy time with our families (and luckily, we are each others' best friends!), but sometimes we crave other friends to spend time with! Your post was so courageous and descriptive. Thank you for being brave enough to share! (P.S. I love your quotations at the ends of your posts!)
ReplyDeleteI didn't read your post yesterday but I will tonight...what a beautiful way to thank people.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I did not respond to your post yesterday primarily because I had parent teacher conferances and did not get home until after 10 PM! But, I have been thinking about you and your post...and connecting...reflecting.....I too have few near and dear friends as most of my dearest friends from the last 30years are no longer in my day to day circle...some have retired...many have relocated...While I socialize at work and talk ...I do not enjoy the "happy hour scene" and have family and other responsibiliites and joys....thus, I do not have a lot of friends...but the few that I have...and see...rarely..or talk to...rarely...are near and dear....I must admit that I have already started to connect to and associate with people from this SOL community ...like you...that I wish I could know in real time....but alternatively...I am planning to continue on Tuesday...and hope you do too....you are indeed a kindred spirit...
ReplyDeleteI wondered how you felt after all the comments. I'm glad you're soaring. When you wrote this post, I was thinking that you could create a great book character from all your wonderings and questioning. What would your character's name be and what does your character want above all else--a soul sister? Or does she find something else in the process that is more important? What would she do to find one? Just a thought since you already know how to write.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I love this TWT community. The support is amazing. I love the word cloud of emotions you created. "But now I soar". Great line, by the way. Have a great weekend
ReplyDeleteJulie, I just finally read all these posts, and the awesome comments you received, both earlier and today. There is so much good to ponder here, including your own words. Thank you. I liked what one person said, that it depends on how you define friend & then what do you want to do about it?
ReplyDeleteAnd, I can't believe I posted so little time ago & you wrote fast & told me you just bought that book. Wow-what serendipity! I will try to do a map just the way I want it soon, & you should too. Remember, the map is for you. Just do it! And find some beautiful colors like your words are!
With your appreciation cloud and individual replies to comments you have brought smiles to many faces. You have brightened the world.
ReplyDelete