I am not going to name names in this post. Please do me the honor of knowing who you are.
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Scene 1:This is a bamboo forest in Iran. Only this year did I learn how beautiful Iran is, and that is because a special blog friend sent me some incredible photos of her country.
Scene 2: A blog friend sent me an email yesterday and called me her Heart Sister. Instantly something fell into place for me: 'blog friend' doesn't come close to how I feel about many of the relationships and friendships I so gratefully enjoy from blogging. One of my best friends in my "real" life here and I have been calling one another 'sister friends' for a number of years now, and because I don't have any sisters and she is damn close to one, that term is already reserved. So when my friend said 'heart sister', I knew that is close to perfect.
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Scene 3: I read the Boston Globe editorial on Iran today: "Despite beatings and arrests, students in Tehran and many other Iranian cities showed that they will not be intimidated...There are 3.5 million university students out of a population of 70 million in Iran, and they have always been the nation's conscience, the source for revolution."
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Scene 4: I open a holiday card that arrived in the mail and I find two hand painted angels--one called 'kj's angel' and the other with the most unique breasts that make me laugh out loud, and I thank God for a Twinkly Heart Sister who has touched me deeply with such a special gesture. I don't have her permission to share these gems yet, but I hope to. She is my twinklierest twin.
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Scene 5: I know that my Heart Sister in Iran cannot get regular internet access, lives in fear, worries that the rest of the world does not accurately know the situation in her country. I pray that the prayers and thoughts of many of her heart sisters and heart brothers can somehow protect her.
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Scene 6: My heart sister in Winnipeg has been sick and I worry so much for her. I sometimes wonder why I let myself love her so much. But then I think of her smile and her incredible mix of irreverence and humor and grit and unfailing generous KINDNESS and WISDOM and I can't imagine not loving her. She is irreplaceable.
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Scene 7: Heart Sisters. Hmmm, is that what these special women are to me? (and several men, you know who you are too, who may have to suffer the indignity, if they are willing, of being my Heart Sisters too). Often without physical bodies, without the connections of community or work or mutual friends, my Heart Sisters have taken residence in my life, for real. I do not say this as metaphor. I mean for real. From Australia, Argentina, England, Malaysia, the Nederlands, the Philippines, Canada, British Columbia, India: my Heart Sisters from across the globe.
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Scene 8: Heart sisters in Rhode Island, California, Sydney, Oklahoma: each has moved from the blogs to my "real life" and has lifted me up and carried me across when I was pretty down and out. And there is recently the growing wonderful potential of a West Coast heart sister who skips when she walks and uses her camera to find magic in the mundane.
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Scene 9: This is real: I have been given the gift of bonafide Heart Sisters. Thank you thank you thank you Universe. You know who you are, don't you?
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Scene 5: I know that my Heart Sister in Iran cannot get regular internet access, lives in fear, worries that the rest of the world does not accurately know the situation in her country. I pray that the prayers and thoughts of many of her heart sisters and heart brothers can somehow protect her.
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Scene 6: My heart sister in Winnipeg has been sick and I worry so much for her. I sometimes wonder why I let myself love her so much. But then I think of her smile and her incredible mix of irreverence and humor and grit and unfailing generous KINDNESS and WISDOM and I can't imagine not loving her. She is irreplaceable.
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Scene 7: Heart Sisters. Hmmm, is that what these special women are to me? (and several men, you know who you are too, who may have to suffer the indignity, if they are willing, of being my Heart Sisters too). Often without physical bodies, without the connections of community or work or mutual friends, my Heart Sisters have taken residence in my life, for real. I do not say this as metaphor. I mean for real. From Australia, Argentina, England, Malaysia, the Nederlands, the Philippines, Canada, British Columbia, India: my Heart Sisters from across the globe.
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Scene 8: Heart sisters in Rhode Island, California, Sydney, Oklahoma: each has moved from the blogs to my "real life" and has lifted me up and carried me across when I was pretty down and out. And there is recently the growing wonderful potential of a West Coast heart sister who skips when she walks and uses her camera to find magic in the mundane.
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Scene 9: This is real: I have been given the gift of bonafide Heart Sisters. Thank you thank you thank you Universe. You know who you are, don't you?
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Scene 10, 11, 12, and 13: May I be your Heart Sister back?
I love the term heart sister. It captures something that 'special friend' or other such titles cannot hope to approach in meaning. The wonderful thing about the internet is the freedom it allows us to express ourselves. As a very shy and reserved person in "real life" this freedom has inexpressible value to me. I think your heart sisters are very lucky indeed Karen. You have a wonderful heartyourself. xx Jos
ReplyDeleteah, jos, there is welcomed room if you will be so kind enough to come along! :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww....kj.
ReplyDeleteYou have a heart as big as all outdoors. I count you as a 'heart sister' and know those in your fold are lucky, lucky people.
Your heart sister in Iran touches my heart. I did the 60's thing, was a rebel, shouted to the rooftops and got arrested a time or two. One among thousands. Yet, I pale in comparison to your heart sister. My life was never in danger.
It takes an incredible amount of courage to put it all on the line like that, in a place where the male dominated society would snuff out her life without a backward glance.
I honor her love for her country.
I'm so glad you mentioned heart sister in Iran. I think of her daily and pray for her safety and send her love.
ReplyDeleteYour Iranian heart sister is a gem (along with the ohters) but she has a certain strength that I can't come close to. She's an inpsiration and her writing always gets me thinking deeper.
ReplyDeleteAs for all the others, I know I've been in good company all along ;)
Well, you DID mention Rhode Island!
You attract heart sisters because of what and who you are: a compassionate friend, a passionate writer, an inspiring daughter, a loving mother, a devoted partner and an all around wonderful spirit.
I feel blessed to be included on any of your lists ;)
xoxo
P.S. Um, that includes the Christmas list too! :D
Your heart sisters are lucky indeed, I hope to be among them one day :-).
ReplyDeleteI must check out your heart sister in Iran, she is very brave.
xoxo
Heart Sister...what an evocative, lovely term. And it's all because of your huge heart, kj. Thank you for being such a great, loving, passionate person! And thank you for being a part of my life.
ReplyDeletekj what a gift of a post.
ReplyDeleteYou are seriously one of the most thoughtful people around. No wonder JB loves you so much.
I love you dear friend.
Renee xoxoxo
{{{{{{{{{{HUGGING MYHEART SIS'}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, lovely post. I too have met some truly amazing people through this little thing called blogging. I am shocked at how transformative these relationships can be.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I love your fish banner.
I know I posted a comment here last night! Like attracts like I think. Of course you're my heart sister!
ReplyDeleteDear KJ,
ReplyDeleteThere are 2 typos in my comment and I checked it twice!!
Uncle ;D
xoxo
Oh!
ReplyDeleteOklahoma made the cut!
Woo-Hoo!
(and thank you,it's an honor)
So easy to forget that it's not about countries, or empires, or politics.The internet and Blogging has shown us that it's about PEOPLE,,,sisters and hearts.
Real ones.
Beautiful post kj
smooches...
ReplyDeleteKj, you do realise I'll be thinking of you as my very own heartsquawk sister from today Tsup*!*
ReplyDeleteLovely. I have been readng about women in the Middle East. I am fascinated with the culture and heartbroken for the losses these woman endure regularly. I have no doubt Iran is beautiful in many ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you for you kind words at my blog! As always.
linda, awwww to you too....if you follow human being's blog you will see her courage and her pain in her poetry. she is a remarkable woman.
ReplyDeletesuki, i pray too.
ms. studio lolo, can you imagine if i hadn't mentioned rhode island? J.C.! you and i are heart sisters deep and true, pumpkin.
annie, YOU ARE AMONG MY HEART SISTERS! are you kidding? of course you are. xoxo
marion, i too can thank you here with honesty for being in my life. in a short time you are a dear heart sister and i think that will only deepen. xo
renee, you my dearest friend are the heart sister of all heart sisters. and you're my moon sister too. renee khan, i love you. i couldn't love you more. so there.
ReplyDeletesonia, from new england to austin, my heart to yours, girlfriend! now take care of yourself, okay? take it easy. xoxo
purestgreen, it shocks me too. i wish it were this easy to fall in love with people i walk among in my neighborhood! there is a magic to blogging: i think it's because we accept FIRST, decide to love first, and then, like family, it's easy (easier) to embrace our true selves. :)
my heart sister honey hells baino: always and a day! tsup!
lolo, two typos? how big of you to fess up-haha. of course you've set the bar for me and i am now trying extra hard. it's a cross i'm willing to bear if it makes my dearest friend happy. :)
oh babs, i love this comment you've left. yes to all of it. xoxo
mim, double smooches. hey, if you were a gambling woman, would you put the card in the mail or think you might deliver it in person by the end of the year? :)
annie, HAHAHA! i AM your very own heartsquawk sister!!! and proud of it!
meredith, iran is the most beautiful country--i had no idea. and my friend, and the women and people in iran, they are not free. the simplest freedoms are not tolerated. i imagine how impossible that must be. i pray.
ps i'm glad you're sticking around.
xoxo
kj I can't remember if I told you how fabulous that picture is.
ReplyDeleteLove you and have a great day.
xoxoxo
KJ....I love you very much...I value our friendship and everything you say and do. Thank you dear friend...My Heart Sister...
ReplyDeletexoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
renee: here's a quick smooch and a long hug.
ReplyDeletesonia, ditto, likewise, so glad.
Hello, dear Twinkles!
ReplyDelete:0)
What a lovely post. I adore the term "heart sister!!!!" When I started commenting on blogs about a year ago, I never imagined finding such special people. Our Renee is indeed the most generous and wise of friends, as are you!
It's funny how I feel comfortable enough in Blogland to say things I would hesitate to say in my "real" life. When I speak, in person, I'm rarely mushy. Here, when I write, I tend to wear my heart on the middle of my forehead!
I'm off to take a look at your Iranian friend's blog. She sounds like a brave and intelligent person, someone I would love to get to know, too!
Hugs and love,
xoxoxo
Angela
angela, mush mush indeed. i'm want more of it in all parts of my life! my heart is in the middle of my forehead too. that's why we're twins! xoxo
ReplyDeletei take that back,now this is the sweetest post i've ever seen. it's no wonder you have so many hearts floating around you kj.
ReplyDelete♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ kj ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
this is such a lovely place to come to. now i'm off into the world with a very happy heart.
enjoy your day dear,
love,
lori
I ♥ sister KJ x
ReplyDelete....about those lights. A little sippin' bourbon in the eggnog wouldn't hurt. ;0
ReplyDeleteOh this is wonderful and really shows how wonderful blogging and the connections through blogging are...sometimes it feels like a secret society, or that I'm living two lives, but you mean as much to me as my friends that I can touch and feel...great post.
ReplyDeletemuch love
lori, my heart is easy peasy to give away and share, all these wonderful people in my life. i sure am glad you are among them. you are very special.
ReplyDeletemilady, kjbabes &heart;s you!
linda, hard liquor, eh? i don't (can't) drink but if i did i'd be hitting the whiskey with you and renee. :)
stacey, i agree with everything you've said. i led two lives? sometimes it feels like i led six lives!! xo
you have the most incredibly warm heart kj, and i would love to have you as my heart sister (well i feel you are already). i wish you the very very best of all that is best for 2010 dear heart.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post kj! I'm so glad I found you! Big hug from Malaysia!
ReplyDeleteDear Author karenjasper.blogspot.com !
ReplyDeleteIt is nonsense!