Wednesday, July 7, 2010

building strong bridges + a gift for you...

yesterday was nothing less than amazing,
thanks to all of you who helped build the *bridge of love*
i am at a loss for words at all your loving kindness
but i had to at least say thank you!!!

I started out by giving a gift to my mother-in-law. Yes sir-ree bob. It felt good so I didn't stop there. I even got my hubby to join in so he gave a gift to my mother, who least expected it. Then I phoned a friend who made me laugh so hard when she answered the phone "WHAT?!?". She knew what I was up to - go figure. ;) So I had to move on to a less suspecting recipient. I started to make a scrap quilt for my friend BJ to hopefully bring her a little comfort - I should be finishing the quilt top today. (when life throws you scraps, make a quilt). This random act of kindness thing was quite addictive so I continued. I helped another friend write letters to close accounts of her recently deceased mother. Writing the words was too much for her to bear right now. I was happy to do it. We wrapped up the night by reading handwritten letters her mom had saved from the 1950's (sixty years ago - during the Korean War)! Such important milestones captured in words - marriage, pregnancy, birth, and good ole gossip. We laughed so deeply at how similar her mom's relationship with her BFF was to ours. It was a lovely moment.

It got me to thinking of you. Empress Christina of Soul Aperture always encourages us to preserve the art of penmanship by writing letters to one another. The 1950's letters I read last night were written in the most beautiful sea-foam green ink. I think I'll find a special ink pen to write one of you a little note.

If you'd like to receive a handwritten letter from me, please leave a comment here and I will randomly select a winner this Friday (July 9, 2010).

Empress Christina will also send the winner a blank card from her shop so they can write a sweet letter to someone else. (isn't she the sweetest?) one love.

21 comments:

Cindy said...

Se'lah, oh how nice of you to help your friend, reading the letters would have been interesting, you are a good friend, I would love to recieve a note, may we all continue making stronger bridges.

Gail said...

HI Se'lah

I feel your love every where, wow and you are a true and good friend. Fascinating letters, huh?
I picked daisies from our garden to add to my "meals on wheels" for my Mom - she was delighted. Today, she is in surgery, I/we are praying hard for good outcomes. Amen.

Love to you
Gail' peace-hope-kindness

Gayle said...

And thank you for holding such a special event yesterday!

Sharon said...

Oh, I can just picture that beautiful sea foam green ink! I wonder if it's possible to find great inks like that nowadays? I've been looking for the perfect writing pen for years. There is no gift better in our fast paced world than a hand written letter! I got one recently when my sister and daughter-in-law each passed. It helped.

Your random acts of kindness were very special and certainly built a bridge of love. You are always an inspiration to me. Thank you. Love to you -- Always. Sharon

Chris said...

This is beautiful. I loved all the randoms you did yesterday. "Ancora imparo", I am still learning says Michelangelo. What a wonderful friend you truly are.

Chris said...

I love to write letters but only have one, possibly two, who love to write the old-fashioned way with a pen and paper. Penmanship has definitely suffered over the years, so has spelling. Those letters from 60 years ago are priceless. Fifty years from now will there be any letters written the old-fashioned way?

Dori said...

Handwritten letters are so wonderful. On my trip back home recently, I found a letter that my father wrote to my grandmother during his time as a soldier during WWII. I have one other and I will cherish them both forever :)

GailO said...

Just stopped in via elk's blog and wanted to say hello and mention that I have recently been reading letters that my sister saved that she received while in the Peace Corps in the early 70's...Gossip galore!...and it just brought back the sound of my grandmother's voice...and my own silly 20 year old voice ....Hand written letters should never go away and a new goal of mine is to start doing more letter writting:)

Tracey said...

Your day of bridge building sounded absolutely beautiful. It does make you want to go on & on, doesn't it? Hope your friend finds comfort in your scrap quilt - what a treasure. Handwritten letters: the lost art. My mother still to this day writes cards/letters while the rest of us adopted the keyboard as our 'writing tool' of choice. I find that even when I send snail mail, I still type as my handwriting has fallen by the wayside. Would love to receive a note & most certainly on Christina's beautiful cards. You are truly a blessing SeLah! :-)

margie said...

oh yeah.

Unknown said...

I have such positive gravitational pull. look at what you've sparked!

I posted on my RAK here:
http://marlieandmommy.blogspot.com/2010/07/love-em-with-kindness.html

kath said...

If you send me a letter I'll send you one back. I have the PERFECT card sitting right here beside me.
xoxo

Unknown said...

I do miss the days of written letters, I used to have boxes full of them, now I have files on my computer instead.

Umā said...

Lots of good random acts of kindness going on here. I must admit some of the acts I started yesterday did not get finished yet. But they will be soon ; )

A letter from you and a card from Christina? Who wouldn't want that?! Count me in.

christina said...

one love~ my sister.

SE'LAH... said...

One love, Christina ;)

Prayers sent up, Gail and Sharon.

Teresha, that's awesome! Loving it.

Thanks to all. You really are the best blog friends. Don't tell the rest I told you this: I hope you win. Lol.

PinkInklings said...

'when life throws you scraps, make a quilt' oooh, that's a keeper!
I love old letters and was very proud of the gold stars I got for penmanship.
I am so glad there is another generation of folks who will keep the written words flowing.
You and Christina are definately a dynamic duo! :o)

Tracy said...

You give from the heart always, I love that about you my friend! Tuesday was such a great day. It was wonderful to visit around see what everyone planned on doing for others. A LOT of doing and love happening! And once you start with the giving, you just want to keep going! LOVE all you did the other day... And so lovely this idea of handwritten letter. A letter writing revival sounds good! Do count me in on this fun. Between sniffles I've been doing my charity knitting. ONE LOVE ((BIG HUGS))

Birdie said...

"You must be the change you want to see in the world" Mahatma Gandhi. That's what you are Se'lah. You are the difference! You make a difference! Peace, love and hugs to you dearest one.

Lisa Johnson said...

Thank you to both of you! Such sweet ideas! ; )

graceonline said...

Compassionate soul, I so enjoyed reading your kindnesses. Thank you for sharing them. What a special time with your friend. Surely you and she deepened what seems an already close bond. That is the stuff I imagine will make for a life well-lived when one is very old and remembering the things that matter.