A Word on Blessings
I've just spent the last few hours reading emails, and I've come to the realization -- not for the first time -- that I am one lucky chick.
I've said it before, but I'm always awed by the relearning of it, that girlfriends are the best treasure a girl could ever have. Over the years, I've joined a handful of scrapbooking email groups which have entitled me access to some phenomenal women. Let folks say what they like about society's alienation from real personal interaction due to chat rooms and emails. This medium has provided me with some real, honest to goodness friendships that have born me through some tough times.
Today was the perfect example. A couple of days ago I posted a short message about feeling depressed, which I attributed to my continued struggle to land a job. The outpouring of support and affection from these generous, warm-hearted gals was staggering, if also a little embarassing. Too much attention to me and my problems in the group for my comfort zone; I certainly didn't want it to seem like I had been routing for pity or coddling. But, I would be lying if I didn't admit that it sure did make me feel good.
Leave it to girlfriends to share personal experiences so that -- suddenly!!! -- you're not a freak, but one inside a community of shared experience. Equally as valuable to me were those who shook their virtual fingers, chastising me for not staying on my medication. They filled my in-box with attachments on where to apply for medication discounts and information on new, highly-effective generic brands. Gifts of love.
Sometimes I've even received heart-warming messages out of the blue. One time I shared with my AAC list that my band, Knotwork, had just enjoyed a super fun performance. We had just been introducing our next number when a little boy walked right up to me and said, "You know what?" It still tickles me that every one of us stopped what we were doing and focused our attention on him. It shows me that the guys enjoyed the interaction with the kids in our audiences as much as I always do. I said, "What?" of course. The little boy stepped forward and held out a little contraption toward me. He said, "I have a musical instrument, just like yours." He was holding an empty yogurt cup filled with raisins. He showed me how it rattled when he shook it...just like my accoustic eggs. I expressed delight in his musical treasure, then pretended dismay as I looked at Dean and said, "Oh no. I've been replaced, haven't I." That got the hoped for laugh from the audience. Then we invited the young fellow to join us in a tune, and we jumped right into a rollicking tune in which the little boy could rattle away without disruption.
I shared how much I had enjoyed this little moment, and my dear friend, Cheri, sent me the sweetest message. It was so precious to me, in fact, that I saved it. She wrote that I had a gift for making people feel, if only for a moment, as if they were the most important person in the world. My God! Is there a person out there who really believes this of me? It makes me want to work hard to be worthy of her assessment.
Anyway. Today I am feeling very very lucky. I may not have a job and I may have no money in my bank account. But I have friends. So I'm rich beyond measure.
I've said it before, but I'm always awed by the relearning of it, that girlfriends are the best treasure a girl could ever have. Over the years, I've joined a handful of scrapbooking email groups which have entitled me access to some phenomenal women. Let folks say what they like about society's alienation from real personal interaction due to chat rooms and emails. This medium has provided me with some real, honest to goodness friendships that have born me through some tough times.
Today was the perfect example. A couple of days ago I posted a short message about feeling depressed, which I attributed to my continued struggle to land a job. The outpouring of support and affection from these generous, warm-hearted gals was staggering, if also a little embarassing. Too much attention to me and my problems in the group for my comfort zone; I certainly didn't want it to seem like I had been routing for pity or coddling. But, I would be lying if I didn't admit that it sure did make me feel good.
Leave it to girlfriends to share personal experiences so that -- suddenly!!! -- you're not a freak, but one inside a community of shared experience. Equally as valuable to me were those who shook their virtual fingers, chastising me for not staying on my medication. They filled my in-box with attachments on where to apply for medication discounts and information on new, highly-effective generic brands. Gifts of love.
Sometimes I've even received heart-warming messages out of the blue. One time I shared with my AAC list that my band, Knotwork, had just enjoyed a super fun performance. We had just been introducing our next number when a little boy walked right up to me and said, "You know what?" It still tickles me that every one of us stopped what we were doing and focused our attention on him. It shows me that the guys enjoyed the interaction with the kids in our audiences as much as I always do. I said, "What?" of course. The little boy stepped forward and held out a little contraption toward me. He said, "I have a musical instrument, just like yours." He was holding an empty yogurt cup filled with raisins. He showed me how it rattled when he shook it...just like my accoustic eggs. I expressed delight in his musical treasure, then pretended dismay as I looked at Dean and said, "Oh no. I've been replaced, haven't I." That got the hoped for laugh from the audience. Then we invited the young fellow to join us in a tune, and we jumped right into a rollicking tune in which the little boy could rattle away without disruption.
I shared how much I had enjoyed this little moment, and my dear friend, Cheri, sent me the sweetest message. It was so precious to me, in fact, that I saved it. She wrote that I had a gift for making people feel, if only for a moment, as if they were the most important person in the world. My God! Is there a person out there who really believes this of me? It makes me want to work hard to be worthy of her assessment.
Anyway. Today I am feeling very very lucky. I may not have a job and I may have no money in my bank account. But I have friends. So I'm rich beyond measure.
posted by Rhonda L at 6:04 PM
1 comments
