Monday, September 06, 2010

People Who Need People

I just wrote an introductory paragraph for this post that I just deleted. Instead, I am going to let some of these special people in my life speak for themselves.
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I would die for both of them. No questions asked. In an instant, if needed. I am glad to know that about myself, and I am glad to be able to love so very totally deeply.
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This image serves double duty. It is a rendition of Ms. feisty Emily Rabbit who makes whining and getting in trouble an art form (I admit it: often a breath of fresh air for me) and the renditioner (is that a word?) is a very precious friend: Ms. Studio Lolo, lo to me. If Lo had a nickel for every time she has listened to me, helped me, she would be a triple zillionaire by now.
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If you're lost, this might be the reason.....hee hee
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I don't like cliques. And when I see cliques in the blogs, I don't like that at all. So I'll just say that sometimes you meet someone who you just know you want to be your friend. And you hope to be a good enough friend back that that person will want to hold on to you for a long time. And if that person makes you laugh as well as think and love, isn't that the best?
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My daughter is happy. She is married to a good man. he cares for her. I know he will protect her and watch over her. So it stands to reason for that reason alone I'm happy too.
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I love her. So it stands to reason for that reason alone I'm happy too. Through the years we have had some ups and downs and all arounds, but she has loved me through all of them. She lets me be myself. She is good and kind and creative and adventuresome. She finds everything I lose. I really think she deserves better than me, but she doesn't seem to know that and you know, I think she'd choose me anyway. Did I already say I love her?
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I can't keep calling him Baby Drew. He is almost 18 months old now and he laughs like the dickens. Ryan calls him Drewbie. I call him my second grandson. The honor is mine, Drewbie.
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I meet (and write and sing and appreciate and listen and read and share and eat) with a special group of writers and songwriters twice a year in a Big Yellow House. There is some kind of magic that happens in the room where we sit. I don't understand it, but I surely welcome it.
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Isn't her goodness obvious just from looking at her? Ah, Stella. Damn that cancer and surgery that's slowed you down, but you won't be alone ever. You have a family.
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Ah Marianne. How great to affirm and confirm that you can know and love from the inside out. That's what I've learned from blogging. There's so much I don't know about the friends I've made here, but I know everything I need to know. The love is real. Thank you Marianne. And not just you. I'm not naming names, but I hope you know the love is real. I do my best to let you know. (Walking Man, I mean you too.)♥
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I shouldn't laugh. I shouldn't have laughed then when this sign appeared next door, in front of the park where weddings are held at the chapel by the lake. My friend Liz shouldn't have laughed either. But we couldn't help it. We lifted our glasses to Brian, whoever he is, and hoped that he was glad his wedding was cancelled. Cancelled, I think, on the day of his wedding.
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Ah, my friends. I have wonderful friends all around. Meet Liz and Heather. (And here is a hint of our upcoming art fair. The paintings are by one of my wonderful friends, Gordon Heins.)
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This was my house for 20 years, which in some strange way qualifies as a person.
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This is my favorite picture of my Mom. She was having a tough time when this was taken, but I look at her face and all I see are those honest eyes, her courage, her humility. I hope I age like my Mom. She has no memory, she uses a walker, she had to leave her house of 60 years and move 100 miles away to a Rest Home near me, and you ask her how she is and she says, "I'm fine. Aren't I lucky I have nothing to complain about?"
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And finally: may the wonder of the ride itself carry you where you want and need to go...
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In the past two years, I have learned what matters more than anything. It's people who need people.
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Love
kj

28 comments:

  1. I know this love you speak of... but to be able to put it into words, so eloquently, as you did...and add pictures, too... well, it was just so wonderful.

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  2. This is a special post. Thank you for opening up all of this for us! All the images are great but tonight the ones that spoke to me were of Stella and your mom. Very dear, very dear, indeed.

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  3. Thank you kj. You are the kind of person I want in my life. I don't want to be needed anymore, I would much prefer to simply be wanted.

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  4. beautiful post. you have a life rich in loved ones and friends, and dear animals and places lived. So many blessings.

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  5. Thank you for sharing all the special people in your life in such an eloquent and lovely way. It lets me know you just a little better...I love the photo of your grandson and your daughter together. Oh and JB, as well!

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  6. Kj the pix are all sooo nice to see. It lets people know you better. I knew Renee had alot of REAL blogging friends here. But I had no idea just how deep these relationships became. I love that I'm getting to know some of her friends better! My heart breaks for you & JB with Stella being sick.

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  7. Beautiful post kj. Of all of them Stella and your mom broke my heart, not sure why, maybe because I can relate.Happy week. xoxo

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  8. I've never really understood why some people state quite proudly that they don't need anyone. To me it's akin to saying that we don't need to love or be loved, when in fact it's this that makes life worth living. Love the photos KJ. So nice to see all these people you love and who love you.

    And I like the idea of a waving revolution. I will carry on a one woman campaign from this side!

    xx Jos

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  9. Just beautiful.... every time you open up that wonderful, warm heart of yours, you invite all of us who love you to be a part of it. And...we are!

    The photos are so touching and all are so full of LOVE......and that, in the end, is what really matters....

    Oh, the Autumn foliage......sigh.... can't wait!

    Love to you, JB and, of course, Stella - the beautous one!

    MUWAH!

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  10. Oh this gives me goosebumps all over me. That is good. Goosebumps for me is something that rocks me to my soul!
    Good words woman, very good words.
    Blessings are all around us, we just need to open all of our eyes.
    Eyes of the mind, eyes of the heart and eyes of the soul.
    Your eyes are opened.
    Mahwah!

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  11. hoi it's me felix hoi
    hoi hoi hoi hoi
    hugs and and kisses felix

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  12. hello barbara, thank you. i'm glad we share the same sky!

    lydia, stella and my Mom. both vulnerable and both pushing through as well as anyone ever could. thank you, lydia.

    mark, your comment is gold. thank you for a very high compliment. it means alot to me. and being wanted: yes, there is no neediness in that, just free choice. i want that too. ♥

    suki, yes, i have a blessed life and sometimes i am still a mess!! there are parts of the past i wish i could change. but we both know that looking ahead is way better than looking back. and putting ourselves around people who care about us is fuel for the journey.
    xoxo

    marion, our lives are parallel in many ways, don't you think so? we know one another. how nice! ♥

    camille, renee opened hearts. she literally helped people experience love and live to tell about it. your sister is amazing. i cherish everything you share about her and you and your families. thank you for your friendship, camille. do you know it helps me deal with renee's loss in such a significant way? xoxo

    annie, you and lydia. by the way, you and lydia would like one another. thank you always annie. xoxo

    look jos!! it's me, across the street! can you see my arms waving in the air? i'm trying to tell you i love you!

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  13. robin, you have a permament place in that warm wonderful heart of mine. you've earned it and i thank you so much. ♥

    marie, we have not known one another for long enough that you would know i started my blog with a sturdy optimism, i loved and lost and lament it all still sometimes, and now, i am pushing myself back to the hopeful place i began. thank you for being part of this wonderful experience of friendship. i know you show up every day and i love and admire you.

    FELIX!!!!!
    FELIX!!!!!
    how i miss you! you taught janet how to light a match the right way and now we light candles and we think of you always! i hope when you are older you will come to the united states again and you know you have friends here who love you to the moon and back. please hug your Mother for me. tell her i miss her too much!
    love
    karen

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  14. You did it again!

    Beautiful post KJ and how nice to find this wonderful pic of me and my boy here.

    I feel the love is real KJ!
    It has been like a dream. So short.....that I wonder did I dream this or was it real.
    Such a happiness to meet you and a little sad that it was so (too) short...... but hopeful we will be meeting again....
    Grateful for meeting you and JB!
    I knew you already but with JB in this short while I really didn't get to know her but I felt that when I left I loved her too.
    I think she is beautiful and you are such a beautiful couple together and the love JB showed to you was so touching. You know what I told you but I think You both should be grateful to have each other. And you just deserve each other because you both deserve the best!

    Ah and that picture of Stella, she is such a gentle spirit..... sigh.... How great you can offer her these last few good years where she also got what she deserves: a loving home and family!

    And there is Liz again, who I briefly met but who is a real sweetheart! Yes I can image you are happy to have her as a friend!

    And dear Lo! Well what can I say..... I am happy too that I can call her my friend.

    I hope we will stay friends forever just like Felix predicted, no goodbyes just friendship.
    I am just happy you have so much in your life to be grateful about, your daughter, your grandkids, your friends , JB.
    I am proud to be in this row......

    love
    ♥♥♥
    >M<

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  16. It's good to review your blessings and the people we love and need (and who love and need us) are priceless treasures.

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  17. Oh my.

    Where to start.

    You are so lovely and warmhearted and friendly and kind. This is a beautiful post, your words are beautiful, your thoughts are too. JB is beautiful and so is Jess and her husband and oh those babies (to me Ryan and Drew are babies, perfect adorable babies,and i would call them that at least till they graduate highschool) :)

    Your house is beautiful, your Mom is too. And your friends. Well, everyone knows Marianne is beautiful and Felix, inside and out it seems...beautiful.

    Stella is gentle and beautiful and oh so lucky to have you and you her.

    But damn, poor Brian

    lots of love to you kj,
    lori

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  18. You love and are loved kj! Lovely pics and words!

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  19. marianne, the love and the bonds are real. and yes i feel sad too that you do not live near enough to meet up on impulse. (chicago it will be) i am so glad you met JB. she enjoyed you and felix so much. but who wouldn't? i want to write you a letter soon. p.s. i don't like that you will not be at the art fair!!!! ♥

    cs, for some reason your comment made me wonder what is my favorite love song. jacquel brel's 'if we only have love' is right up there. xoxo

    lori, well! beautiful huh? then you must include yourself. :) and your comment about brian, oh dear god: hahahahahaha! i too thought he was the dumpee and not the dumper. xoxo

    caroline, no doubt your family and friends feel the same way about you. as for me, i am giddy when i see you have posted something new. your talent and how you so carefully see blows me away. ♥

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  20. Kj - this post is just awesomeness condensed down to its very essence. :) There is everything you need in the world, right there in those pictures and those words. How wonderful! I am happy for you, my friend. Happy that you are where you are, with the people (and animal!) that you love so much. The pic of your mom tugged extra hard, and you know why. xoxoxox - Pam

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  21. I love that header from last fall. I'm glad you're rushing at along, my favorite season of all!!

    This is a feel good post through and through. I think that second pic of JB was from our last breakfast in Ptown with Marianne and Felix, right? Marianne is right, it was too short and I want them back :(

    All the photos and words are beautiful!

    And I hope if Brian was left at the altar he will be better off.
    You never know the reasons for a sign like that. Best wishes to that stranger.

    This is a nice post to wake up to. Thank you dear friend.

    xoxo
    love,
    Lo♥

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  22. "the wonder of the ride"

    Amen sister, that just about sums it all up, huh?

    Our cups runneth over.

    And I adore, and I'm intrigued by that beautiful house that was your home for 20 years. Is it where you grew up?

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  23. pam, thank you for an awesome comment. yes, i know why. ♥
    i'm reminded of what i've known for a long time: we don't need the whole world to love and care for us. we just need one or two people who are on our side.

    lo, thank you, ditto dear friend. maybe brian was a bad partner! funny how that sign so easily engenders sympathy for him. it's true: it's a sad sign.yes, that is JB at breakfast. xoxo

    babs, hi sweetie! JB and jess and i lived in that house until jess finished college, and for a time after that. it is a victorian duplex, 14 rooms and three floors on each side. it was quite cool.
    xoxo

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  24. A post like this fills me up with YOUR joy! Thanks for sharing all the love that fills you up every day.

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  25. what a wonderful post kj. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting all your loved ones, and getting to see them all through your eyes. thank you for sharing and spreading the love, xoxox Karin

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  26. OH NO-Poor Brian. I hope he's ok.

    I just realized, maybe BRIAN is the culprit-hmmmm. Oh well, I hope they both ok.

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  27. Oh and don't forget to "Pick me, pickk meee too!" X;-)

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  28. I so enjoyed reading this post, feeling the love and 'appreciation' we sometimes forget during rough times.

    I found this C.S. Lewis quote on another blog today and thought you would like it...

    I sometimes wonder whether all pleasures are not substitutes for joy

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