4/8/10

Transcending

I hung up the phone, cutting short a conversation that would have no end if we had our way, and sat in a happy and contented glow. I had been talking to my friend Ellie, and when I read her an excerpt from Kelly Corrigan's book The Middle Place, I didn't have to explain what I loved about it. She just knew, she got it, and that's why I read it to her. I knew it would hit the same part of her heart-gut as mine. To someone else, maybe even my loving husband, the simple-but-poignant-to-me paragraph may have fallen flat. But that doesn't happen with kindred spirits. Our souls high five at the recognition of the same things in the same way.

We women do transcend, don't we? We sit in moments together that smack of eternity and grace. We forgive each other our inevitable annoying quirks and mistakes. And as we watch each other struggle through this game of growing up, we do it not from the sidelines, but more like piggy back, holding on tight and staying on for the ride no matter what it brings. It's beautiful.


And that is why I cry through this:



This is what I have with my friends. I'm so grateful. And so often, I wish I lived close to all of you, my online friends, so we could do more of these things. For now, we'll continue to do what we can on the world wide web or the phone, and we will call each other 'real life friends' because we are, we transcend too.

Hat tip to Lindsey, my favorite book recommender (that's totally a word) and a true kindred spirit.
I transcend every time I read your blog, lady. And I thank you.


Also, I had the most amazing conversation with Elizabeth yesterday. She knew nothing about my conversation with Ellie and yet she used the word transcend in just the way I was searching to describe it.
And that is when I felt the definition of the word. Again.
Thank you, Elizabeth. It was so good to float around on a moment of grace with you.



Piggy Back
Mackenzie, loving me through it, all those years ago
and still today.

27 clicked right here to comment:

Lindsey said...

Wow, Heather - for someone that I think of as utterly transcendent - in your words, your observations, your LIFE - to say this about me is hugely flattering. THANK YOU!
Right back at you, and then some.
xox

michelle said...

Kelly Corrigan speaks straight to my heart. Her words always inspire me....which is why I keep reading (and listening to them over and over).

Susan Berlien said...

I just did my makeup to go an ECFE birthday party and now it's running down my face and I'll have to do it oever again...but Thanks.

Shawna Cevraini said...

I am sniffling and crying here with you. Thanks so very much for sharing these beautiful thoughts about girlfriends.

We truly are blessed! Thank YOU!

Cynthia said...

Shoot, that made me cry too! I am blessed with good friends but no one is more precious than my 4 sisters. We're so close, so deeply entwined. The greatest gift my parents have ever given me is them. That video just made me appreciate them all the more.

Annette Lyon said...

That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Denise said...

I, too, adore Kelly Corrigan's books. (Have you read LIFT yet--wow). I had the opportunity to meet with Kelly once and she is just as real and wonderful in person as she is in her words.

I've always loved that video--thank you for the opportunity to see it again. And I'm thrilled to have found your blog (through Lindsey).

Happy Thursday.

Angie said...

The sobs are gut-wrenching.

LOVE this. Oh, how I love Kelly Corrigan. My quote book is full of her stuff.

Thank you for sharing this. Thank you for sharing you.

wendy said...

Your souls did a high five.
that was Awesome!!

I love how we draw strength and learn from each other.

Life Laugh Latte said...

Funny...because I just watched that youtube again last night. Kelly and Edward were friends of ours before kids and cancer. We live an hour from each other, and my hubby left his job at TIVO where he and Edward met. We just ended up not keeping in touch after that. Then one day someone gives me her book. I had no idea who Kelly was...because i knew her as Kelly Lichty. 20 or so pages in I have this aaa haa moment and grab hubs and say...this is our Kelly. The one we prayed for, the one our bible study group prayed for, she wrote this book! I loved it so much! It truly is a beautiful example of who she really is. I love all of her Youtube videos as well.

Becky said...

Oh tears... so beautiful. Love you my IN REAL LIFE friend.

*gigantic hug*!!

Sarah Bessey said...

*tears*

LutherLiz said...

I'll have to read this book clearly.

Ann Imig said...

I love that piece. I love the way she read it. It is so true.

We will transcend.

I hope someday we have time for a long conversation. I think I will start by returning your email now.

Maggie Ginsberg-Schutz said...

NOW I know why I know that name, Kelly Corrigan, the one I've been trying to place since your email--I've seen this video before. I sent it to my book group a year or so back. Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

Yes.

I LOVE YOU HEATHER.

xo

Ash said...

The most blessed of souls have that - I'm so very glad you're one of the lucky.

Anonymous said...

I was thinking about you today and that you "get me" in some big ways. Remember the feet in the dirt? Just needing to find ground? I was thinking about that today and it felt transcendental to me. Thank you, Heather.

One Crafty Mother said...

Oh, I love it when you make me cry, because I do it nodding my head and full of love, understanding, kinship and hope. And growth - so much growth. Thank you for growing with me. I am blessed and grateful to know you.

-Ellie

Unknown said...

Hey dude...wow. I have seen this video before but it was awesome to see it again. And yes there were tears even with this second viewing.

I am blessed to have some truly amazing women in my life...many of them live too far away from me. Including you.

My time in this blog world, a world that many don't really understand, has been such a gift for my spirit. The creativity and the dreams of like-minded souls humble me and inspire me. Thanks for being one of those souls to me....

xo
Lee

Corinne Cunningham said...

I'm not joking when I say I have no less than six books Lindsey has recommended on my bookshelf, a few read, the rest waiting patiently.
Loved The Middle Place, for all the reasons you said. Women are incredible :) We rock!

charrette said...

Heather, this was SO GREAT -- and so universally true! I'm going to forward a link to about a hundred of my friends!

Kazzy said...

You are a prophetess. :)

Sarah said...

ahhhh......

Hope said...

That excerpt made me teary. I am really happy to have a new author to explore. Thank you!

Meredith said...

Wow. This is my first introduction to Kelly, but it won't be my last exposure to her, I assure you. This was beautiful and moving and hit me down deep in the heart. I will be sharing it with all the transcendent women in MY life. Thank you.

Sara said...

Absolutely my favorite book! Knowing that you love it, I'd love to hear your other recommendations or favorites! Gah Or was so good. I cried when it was over.

Meredith said...

I wrote about this and posted this video and linked to you today. I hope that's ok. I really had no choice--there was no other way to process it for me--it's weighed on my mind since last week.

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