Since I have been blogging I have received many comments, emails and letters. Most of them are thoughtful greetings of gratitude and praise, others are asking for advice, some simply to say hello, and others asking me to pray with them for something.
The first three years of blogging, I responded to every comment, email and letter I received. It became a full-time job without monetary value, but rich in the sense of community. I did so willingly until my Father went into the hospital and later died. After that, I rarely wrote back, to any email, comment or letter. Simply put I did not have the energy to do so.
Over two years have passed (… nearly three years!) I am no longer grieving, nevertheless, I cannot go back to responding to every email, comment and or letter I receive. Ask my family and closest friends how lackadaisical I have become in regard to responding. Wait is lackadaisical a word?
Yesterday Elaine wrote in the comment section that it was her last day of chemo treatment. I remember when I had chemo. I remember the last chemo session I had. I remember the hope and fear that sat by my side. Elaine, Jenna, Jill… I often am sitting by your side in prayer, in hope that all is well…soon.
Another commenter, Zosia left her job after sixteen years to move back to Poland. What newness is in the air! What mixed emotions you must be carrying, packing, and unpacking… Certainly, your quitting your job and moving makes others think about what they want, and what they need to do to make it happen.
Judy O. and Bramble do you know each other? Both of you are taking Zumba lessons… what is Zumba? African dancing? A dear friend of mine, Frances, takes African dancing… and her naturally blond hair and blue eyes are only English by birth. Her soul is rooted in Africa.
I might not write back, I might not respond, but I do pray. I do believe that this blog and those who leave comments and read the comments have a collective power that can offer goodness, inspiration… hope. I think that is why many of you find this blog inspiring. Not simply because I put a few words and a photo or two on it. But because those of you who gather here are wonderful, generous, caring, easy going, delightful bunch. Your energy is positive and attractive.
Years ago I went to Lourdes with Annie. I took a handful of medals, and a list of names of people that many of you asked me to pray for. Annie and I prayed, tossing medals with peoples names attached to them into the spring at Lourdes. When we ran out of medals we wrote the names on flower petals.
I often wondered what happened to those we prayed for….
George and Priscilla's daughter…
Taylor Parker of Chico…
Colette's love…
Kay who was having foot surgery…
Michael and Rebecca…
My friend Elaine asked me to pray for her husband Marshall….
Firvidas, daughter Daria who was fighting for her life….
Marie-Noelle's children's friend Christophe…
Angela Marie's son Robert who was going to Kuwait and Tommiea who's husband serves as well…
Alyson Thrift and Abigayle Van Cleave, who were struggling with cancer….
Your prayers and thoughts have helped me. Have helped my friend Shelley, have guided many who read this blog looking for inspiration, hope, kindness…healing.
I guess I am saying thank you. I suppose I am saying that even though I cannot respond back to everyone, I do think of you, pray for you, wish you well and am grateful for your being part of this blog.
(If ever you want to respond to a comment of the blog please feel free to do so.)
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