Sep 27, 2012 |
…so this is love… is one of my favorite Blogs. She’s also on twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We connect a lot.
We connected through BlogHer’s NaBloPoMo over a year ago. Since then, I’ve followed her touching stories of being a child therapist, her struggles with infertility, and her amazing adventures in life. Right now, she’s in the middle of a cross-country journey with her husband Casey, her mom Sandy, and their two dogs.
And yesterday, she drove through my part of the world. How awesome is that?! I may live in a little nowheresville-type place, but it’s on the direct connect from L.A. to Vegas. When I heard Jenn would be driving by, I insisted they detour off the freeway and we meet up for coffee!
Being calm and subdued as usual.
It was just like meeting up with an old friend. There was no awkwardness, no debilitating silence. Just a great hour spent with a great friend and her family.
Blog Family: Sandy (mom), Casey (husband), Jenn
We started by mixing up our Starbuck’s. At the appointed time, we both texted each other, “Here”, only to find “here” was about five miles apart. I quickly drove to their location and entered the store. I recognized them immediately, which was a great comfort. I was nervous there might be the pretense of a public persona vs. private, and I wasn’t sure which I’d be encountering.
On my way there, I thought to myself, “I should have warned her I’m a hugger.” But there was no need. I stepped in to the ‘Bucks and there they were. She rose immediately and embraced me like a long-lost friend. Hugs, handshakes, and how-do-you-do’s all around, and we sat down with our lattes and started talking.
There was no “get to know you” chatter. No deep questions. We already know so much. We’re connected nine ways to Sunday. Meeting in person was just the icing on the cake.
New Old Friends
What’s better than wonderful? Terrific? Heartfelt? When they left, there were hugs all around, and I felt a little sad. I was mentally scheming of ways to follow them to Las Vegas. Now that would be a fun pin in the map!
I loved hearing about their trip so far. Favorite moments? Too many to mention. Plans gone awry? They go with the flow. Expectations? Exceeded. Adventures? By the Bucket Load.
I love living vicariously through her posts: the visits to places I’ve been (The Henry Ford Museum). Photos of places I’ve yet to see (Hershey, PA). But my favorite so far is The Story of Road Warrior.
Abundant with photos, her Blog documents the little moments in her life as well as the big ones. Today she posted on Instagram: her dog Skeeter was checking out a picture of us on Facebook. Not to be outdone, Little Cat is now on Instagram, checking out Skeeter, checking out us.
Stalker
Because we do things thoroughly, me and Jenn. That’s why she’s such a great friend. And I’m pretty sure this meet-up was just the first drop in the bucket.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 26, 2012 |
Dear Amy,
You don’t know me, but from what I’ve heard in the past two weeks, we would be good friends. I’m a childhood friend of your brother-in-law, Dan.
It was just over two weeks ago that I heard from a friend that his brother passed away.
No. That’s not right.
It was just over two weeks ago that I heard your husband was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Since then, I’ve cried. I’ve prayed. And I’ve paid attention. I’ve wondered what it must be like to be you: a mom with four young children, left alone. Dan has shared your strength and faith with me and with many. And I see that while you are now without your husband, you are definitely not alone.
The Community has really reached out to help you. And it inspires me. It’s what a Community is supposed to do.
I pray for you and your kids every day. I hope you don’t feel terribly alone. I pray that God’s arms are supporting, comforting, and protecting you.
I wish I could be there with you. I wish I could get to know you and your kids. I’ve heard stories of how strong and wonderful and considerate you all are.
We’ve suffered some losses in our lives, but I don’t equate those with your loss. Ours was outside the immediate family. And even though I have an inkling of your pain, it can’t compare to what you’re really going through.
I want to say, I’m sorry. I’m sorry there are people in the world who have no hope. Who feel they have no support and no reason to live. I’m sorry they feel the need to take out their anger, depression and frustrations on those around them. I’m sorry the world is so confused, and your husband had to pay the ultimate price.
But I’m so thankful your husband paid the price. I’m so thankful to know that there was someone out there willing to put his life on the line no matter what. Willing to help others before himself. And willing to share his faith with all who would listen.
Your husband is no longer physically here, but his legacy is. And I’ve been so touched by reading stories on his Facebook page, and reading your own postings.
You, Patrick, and your children are so very inspirational. I’m so sorry it took his loss for so many in the world to see that, including me.
But I want to thank you for the encouragement you have personally given me. You don’t even know me but you have encouraged me to keep going. To not give up. To not be selfish. To love. To forgive. To move on.
No. Matter. What.
You are a remarkable woman. And we would be great friends, I just know it.
So if you’re ever in my neck of the woods desert, I’d love to offer you a great cup of coffee and get to know you better.
Until then, I’m just so sorry for your loss, and wish there was so much more I could do.
With love, hugs, and many prayers,
Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
To donate to the Patrick O’Rourke Family Trust, just click here:
This post is linked up with Pour Your Heart Out at Things I Can’t Say.
Sep 26, 2012 |
Welcome back for another “What’s the Word?” Wednesday!
“What’s the Word?” Wednesdays is a link-up that allows other bloggers and readers to share whatever they want to talk about. Think of it as a virtual coffee date with some great friends. What’s going on in your world? Tell us all about it!
A few things to remember:
- Each week’s link-up is valid from Wednesday through the following Tuesday. So if you link a post today, you can still come back and link another post tomorrow! In fact, you can link up as many posts as you want.
- If you add a link, please put the badge on your post as well.
- Each week has a new link-up. Please make sure you grab the correct Badge Code.
- Be sure to check out what others are posting, and even leave a few comments.
- You can now show your “likes” by voting for your favorite links.
So, c’mon. Join the conversation. After all, a great coffee date is one where everyone gets to chat, dontcha think?
