Friday, November 10, 2006

Seattle

WARNING: this is a big post - almost as big as a Portland Pancake!!

Okay, I know that I said that I wasn't going to post until Dec. 1, but I couldn't let the week I just had go by without some mention.

If you take a media studies course they will often tell you that when it is raining in a movie it means that a profound change is taking place. Well it poured in Seattle last week and I indeed came home deeply altered.

I have been reading the posts that some of the other women I shared this journey with have written and have cried a little bit more each time I have read them. What a weekend. I am a bit aware of the weirdness of sharing such an intense and personal time on such a public forum, but I need to say this: Several months ago I was reading about another group of women and another gathering that happened. I was so happy for them and also jealous of their connection. Within a few days I started my own blog and my own journey. It has been an incredible adventure.

I went to Seattle hoping that I would make some friends and that we would be able to help each other along our various paths. What I received was so much more than that. We watched each other open and grow and ache in many ways. We cried and we laughed and we fought and we struggled and we listened and we danced and with each moment the bonds between us grew and deepened. It wasn't easy and at times it wasn't fun, but the result is time and friendships that have changed me for the better. I feel so honoured and blessed to have been a companion and a witness on this journey that we are all on. (And yes - they are as gorgeous and creative and brilliant and charming and full of life and fiesty as they seem on their blogs - more so even!)

But my trip didn't end there!! On Sunday night Liz and I went to see the Indigo Girls in concert. (Sigh!!) I truly have loved them since I was 15. Every time I listen to them I have the experience of a certain line or lines speaking directly to who I am right then. This time was no exception. I sang right along with them as loud as my tired voice would allow and I am sure that if you were to have seen me you would have seen that my face was shining as I thought about my soul sisters.

And then the week was still not over!! On Monday Liz and I got back in the car and drove to Portland to hang out with Alexandra and Laini!! Alexandra and Laini (along with Jamie and Claudia) were my very first blogging friends. We connected right away and I have loved them since our very first email. Soon after that Laini and I started Sunday Scribblings together so it was absolutely wonderful wonderful to meet them in person! We went out for sushi and then hung out in Laini and Jim's house (which is amazing - it oozes creativity and inspiration and magic from every corner!) then the next day we went out for the biggest pancakes I have ever seen (They were bigger than the plates! I picked chocolate chip - MMMmmmm MMmmm!!!) and then they took me to the mother ship: Powell's City of Books. (a whole city block and four floors of BOOKS - new and used mixed up together!!!) I walked around it feeling overwhelmed. I needed six hours and another pancake to have done it justice! WOW. (And yes - Laini and Alexandra and Jim are all even more wonderful and fiesty and creative and gorgeous and full of life as they are in their blogs!)

So here I sit. I am back home, incredibly exhausted, but filled with the joys and the memories of an entire week of incredible connection. I was so nervous to meet these people but there was never any weirdness with any of them. As soon as our grins met we were chatting like old friends. I miss them all deeply. I feel strange - like there is a hole in my heart because I am missing them so much, but at the same time my heart feels more full because I know that they are in my life. I felt them all today as I went about my job - like an invisible force field of cheerleaders and defenders - not present in body but there nonetheless.

You have altered me, my friends. I promise to be braver and more creative and fiercer in my dream chasing. Thank you.

(This photo was taken by Thea. They all scolded me for having so few pictures of myself on my blog so I am starting with a small picture that is all me!!)

And now I mean it - no more posts again until December first. I have a dream to chase.

19 comments:

Colorsonmymind said...

Ohhhh how I love that I caught this moment of you in a pic that I can stare at all day long!

Your post fills me almost as much as your delightful hugs.

Your voice speaks in my head-the melodic twists and turns that come through so delicately and delightfully.

Those eyes-I mean holy shit those eyes melt me. This pic does them no justice at all.

Your peeks around corners... your laugh.... your understanding... your strength... your love and most of all your dancing......so special and dear to me. I will repeat again and again. You complete me.

I love you sweet pea.
XOXOXOX

boho girl said...

everywhere i go i see you peeking around the corner, then you nestling me in your bosom and you making me swoon with your gorgeous blue doe-like eyes.

i miss you so much my heart is aching.

i need you to dance to Madonna in my kitchen soon!

i love you, M.

xoxo

Susannah Conway said...

you better warn Mark, cos i'll be coming to see you soon, my love. you were the perfect travelling ocmpanion, but more than that, you made the weekend so special, with your laughter and kindness and just all-round fabulousness. i miss you so much.... i'd happily get on another 9-hour flight with you, sister :-) (ps. i got my headphones today - so we can Skype the night away - hurrah) xox

Anonymous said...

Oh, the first pictures of your beautiful faces and spirits together! Thank you for sharing your beautiful experience with the rest of us. Each description that I read of this magical weekend fills my heart more and more. These connections that we long for...they exist and they are true magic.

Letha Sandison said...

Oh Meg, I want to dive into this picture and give you a big hug!! I think you might give the best hugs ever!! I miss your smiling face, sweet and loving countenance, tender knowing and silliness.

You are such a delight in so many ways and I feel so darn blessed to know you. To be able to be a cheerleader for you as you chase those dreams down and bring your special brand of magic into the world.

I miss you are feel your absence keenly me dear!

XOXOXO

Amber said...

I am so happy for all of you! It looks like it was so moving for all of you, in everything I read. That is wonderful!

And you should have more pic on your blog, because you are a pretty, pretty lady! Beautiful eyes.

:)

Deb R said...

I've been hoping for some group photos of y'all and here they are! Thank you so much for sharing them and for sharing your thoughts about your wondrous time together.

Deirdre said...

As I read through all the posts about the weekend I keep coming back to the same word: magic. What a gift this week was for all of you.

Claudia said...

I have missed you but I´ve been keeping track by reading the magical posts of all the other amazing "Seattle Sisters"...you are all truly beautiful.

paris parfait said...

Sounds like a magical journey, full of powerful connections and joy.

Anonymous said...

Meg, so glad you had such a wonderful time. And having met Liz and Laini (in Portland), I know PDX must have been a fun stop after that incredible weekend. And Powell's? Well (as a former Portlander) it's quite hard to explain the experience to someone who's never been...so glad you got to go! :)

Anonymous said...

if this makes any sense, meg, i missed you. i'm glad you gave us a little something to go on, for a while...and thank you so much for your support the other day.

Laini Taylor said...

Oh Meg, it was so wonderful to see you in person! I hope Jim and I can come visit you and Mark in England and spend more time together some time. I'm so glad you gals all had such an incredible experience in Seattle. And glad you made it home safe!

tara dawn said...

Thanks for writing about this trip and sharing such an incredible experience. Of course, I would be lying if I said I wasn't jealous...how I long to have this same type of experience with such creative and inspiring women. I am so happy for you! And I LOVE the pics...keep posting them gorgeous girl!
Love to you,
TD

Anonymous said...

oh sweet woman,
this is a glorious sharing!

blessed BE! :)

may i have your email addy darling? i want to reply to the sweet comments you've left on my website...

and HAPPY dream chasing, rocking woman!

Alex S said...

I wish I could have spent more time with you Megg, but I am grateful for the time we had! You're as joyful and funny in person as in your writing! Next time hopefully we'll all get to see you on the European side! (But come back & visit anytime!)

Anonymous said...

Megg--So nice to "meet" you, too! (You commented on my blog.) I've bookmarked your blog for further enjoyment. Congrats on the half-marathon, and for your trip to the U.S. I look forward to reading much more...

Carla Sonheim
www.justblogme.com/carlasonheim/

Darlene said...

Happy Thanksgiving Megg
to you and your family

Enjoy :D

xox darlene

Anonymous said...

Megg,
I came across your blog and your words, and all of them, lovely...
i am fairly new to blog land, but am finding it so wonderful, although, i think that i am a bit shy to go and say hello to anyone..intimidated by them...

anyhow, Canada misses you too..although..it's getting real cold..so you might not want to miss it for a while!

I look forward to saying more hellos to you and participating in Poetry Thursdays and Sunday Scribbles..