A long while ago an online friend sent me this photo in a thank you email. I hadn't done much -- just lent an ear during a very trying time she was struggling through. I saved the email, because the kindness expressed in it was so heartfelt. I was grateful I had made a difference, however small, in this faraway friend's life.
Today I ran across this photo again, and it made me think of all the people I have never met who have bettered my life and whose existence on this earth give me hope. There are so many - Christie M, Annie K, Ashley - my kindred spirit way up North, Margie, Rosemary, sweet Alysa, MariaG, 'Saint' Debora U, Blessed, MagicFaerie,...
I couldn't possibly list them all.
And I thought, how wonderful. How wonderful that we can reach across miles and oceans and be there for one another. How wonderful that we can make friends through 'the ethers', not just through common routes. A larger world of kindred spirits and dear hearts is open to us in a way it never was before. It's easy to give the internet a bad rap; it is so abused by so many. But wonderful kinships can form this way..I've experienced it myself.
So I want to thank all the readers who have been there to offer hope when I've felt hopeless, prayers when I've felt unable to pray myself, an ear when I've needed one, a gentle word when I've ached for one, and even a cheer and a 'bravo' when I've shared a rare victory. You are sooo appreciated. You are gratefully and soulfully acknowledged. You matter.
These past few months, as you know, have been some of the most difficult of my life. I haven't even been able to share details for fear of causing problems with my adoption. But some of you know because you've emailed, written or even called. I'll share everything once I can do so without fear, though that may be a good six months from now! I just wanted to say I am humbled and grateful beyond words to so many of you. Even though I have been silent, I have been thinking of you and sending my gratitude up to the heavens. I hope you feel it raining down on you when you are most in need.
Remember, you matter.
Love love love love love. Crazy week here, moving 20 minutes away has never been so stressful. I know Birnam Wood is supposed to come to Castle Dunsinane, but Castle Dunsinane was never supposed to move, in my recollection.
ReplyDeleteStill here. Still reading. Always thinking of you
Ah! If that was my name I just saw.... Well, I think I died. Lol!
ReplyDeletePraying for you and yours!! I've been thinking of you as I see the progress of the Russian-US adoption treaty on the news.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to hearing yiur news if/when it's shareable without putting your adoption at risk. In the meantime ill just pray more!! Hope it works out -- you, N, Anua and D all deserve a happy ending!!
Was just thinking there might be an update on your blog today! I am but a bit player in your cheerleading section, but I'm still part of it! Thanks for being there on the web, and sharing your life with us!
ReplyDeleteI saw that little picture next to your post title on my dasboard, and thought "That's just what I feel about you!" (And took a moment or two to daydream about somehow making a visit.....so rare the blogfriends, I've met in person.)
ReplyDeleteYou are that person for me, (and I feel like Alysa!)
Awww thanks Keri. I think of you and pray for you ... And for you children. You are an inspiration and you absolutely DO matter! Praying that "things" get brighter soon:)
ReplyDeletexxxo
Thank you for sharing your life with us. You inspire many of us. YOU MATTER! Debby_in_MA
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet. I pray for you often! Praying for CLEAR DIRECTION and for a couple of more kids to come HOME!
ReplyDeleteKeri, I've been thinking of you. I don't know if I'm the Rosemary you meant, but I'm happy to think it might have been.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of when I was little (like age 3) - one of my earliest memories is of watching "Romper Room" on tv with my 2 yrs-older brother, and when "Miss Nancy" looked in her "magic mirror" to say hello to various children "out there", one of the names she called was "Rosemary." I was so thrilled! And of course, my big brother being a big brother, insisted that she must mean some other Rosemary. But I knew she didn't. LOL.
I think of Anya, and Nastia, and D., and your former summer hosting child, and hope the very best in life for all of them. My Sasha is doing pretty well (will be 11 in August).
Love from across the ether,
Rosemary Clark (posting as anonymous because I can't ever seem to log in on here)
Rosemary, it WAS you I meant! I called you from my magic mirror:))) First, you are the only Rosemary I know, and 2nd, you have been incredibly supportive, loving and present for me in my struggle...starting with Nastia on FRUA and later ith Anya. I cant believe we've never met face to face, bc I feel I know you. Lastly...I watched Romper Room waiting to hear my name for what seemed to me to be decades. She never did say Keri:(((( But I had a dream once when I was 4 or 5 that she did, and that was good enough for me:)))
DeleteThank you and I'm so glad Sasha is doing well <3