It happened again

Apr 08

It seems it is the week for random connections.

Do you remember Elevator Girl?  She was the first stranger to recognize me from this blog, and we had soul-connecting chat in the hospital last fall.  This morning I was sitting in church at the end of the service, and Elevator Girl tapped me on the shoulder, and said, “I can’t believe it’s you!  I’m the Elevator Girl!”

I nearly squealed with excitement (and I’m really not a squealer), because I  have been doing all this thinking about how these connections that I perceive with “strangers” are so real and powerful, and how they keep coming back to me.  Obviously, I’ve blogged about it the past two days: I’ve been thinking about it a lot.  Elevator Girl told me that today was her first time at my (our) church, but that she (and her family) loved it, and that they are going to start coming regularly.  This makes me weirdly happy; I’m not sure why.

Cancer + Vulnerable Writing + Internet Over-Sharing Blogging = Friendship

Real, intimate, authentic, brave, bold friendship.  This is real, people.

More new friends (who, technically, I haven’t actually met) have been introducing themselves via comments and emails, and I get to feel so encouraged by their hope/connection/optimism/faith/story.  I understand that people get into my story.  I mean, it’s interesting; I can see that when I take an objective step back.  However, it is SO FUN for me to hear your stories in return.  And through these random meetings, bold introductions, blog comments, and emailed narratives, I do feel like I am sitting down and having a cup of tea with you.

And, like most other young moms, sitting down with a cup of tea and friend is pretty much an ideal way to spend an afternoon…

I love that God keeps shaking out more and more beauty from the ashes.  The starting point here was cancer, talk about ashes.  And look at the spectacular greatness that has happened along the way.  I can’t wait to see what comes next.

4 comments

  1. Immediately, this was brought to mind:
    ” to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
    They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”
    [taken from Isaiah 61:1-3] ♥

  2. If someone decided they liked my church/church program and decided to come, it would make me (did make me) feel super happy too! Cause that happened to me this weekend!

  3. HI!!! It’s Elevator Girl!!!!!! I think it is tooootttallly awesome that you found another friend the very day before at the book fair (that really wasn’t!)…way too awesome. And let’s remind you, I only met you once in person and your hair wasn’t even really there that time. I just KNEW it was you. CRAZY. and yes, I will stare at the back of your beautiful red head this sunday too 🙂 And I will bring my hubs up to meet your hubs. it will be good. really good. Oh, and I was at Glennon’s book signing on Thursday night, as were you, and I was probably standing what, like 8 feet next to you? but you know what? that wasn’t our night. that was your and glennon’s night. that was a night to bookmark and remember forever. sunday was our day. and i am so glad it was !!!!!
    This.is.so.neat!!
    xoxoxoo
    heather

  4. Kathy Swim /

    It is truely an amazing thing when you open yourself up to others what wonderful moments occur. There are no coincidences! I love your blog!