Lori at Family Trees May Contain Nuts is hosting a writing challenge. She asked us to write about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for us. Please make sure and stop by http://www.familytreesmaycontainnuts.com/ and read all the beautiful and touching stories. And admit it folks, Lori has got to have the best blog title, period and amen!
I am blessed with family, friends and co workers who are always there for me when I need them, so I had a hard time choosing the nicest thing. I decided to write about the first thing that popped into my head when I read about this challenge. It was not only one of the nicest things, it was the most unexpected sweet surprise I could ever receive.
We all know how special some of our blog friendships become. If someone had told me a year ago that I would feel so attached to a group of people that I've never met, I would have thought they were nuts. But truly, you are all some of the kindest, most supportive people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. This was really brought home to me last June. We have made an annual pilgrimage to St. George Island Florida for a family get together for 11 years. I was feeling very down because too many things conspired to prevent our making the trip this year.
I had recently started following a new (to me) blog - Shellbelle's Tiki Hut. It really struck a chord with me, and Rhonda is just a doll. Imagine my surprise when I woke one morning and saw this blog post from Rhonda.
"On my first OW I posted a photo of my Blue Heron buddy at the beach by my house and received wonderful responses. One in particular came from Kathy over at Emptynester, in which she stated that this would be the first year (in 11) that she would not be vacationing on St. George Island, Florida.
Well, in a follow-up post, I wrote that I would write her name in the sand at low tide as her promise that she would be back next year. Kathy responded with "We WILL be there next year as God is my witness." AND, she said this in her best Miss Scarlett voice, so I know it is true.
With that said, and as one not to go back on my word, I grabbed my camera a few days ago and headed to the beach. So this Outdoor Wednesday post is dedicated to Kathy, my new blogging friend, but it is also for everyone who has gently stepped into the lives of others through blogging.
Okay, Kathy the Gulf has claimed your name and is waiting for you to fulfill your promise to come back next year!"
Honestly, isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever seen? I admit, I sat at my computer and bawled like a baby when I saw this. Such a sweet, caring thing to do for someone she had never met. But I think "beach souls" know each other even across the miles!
Thank you again Rhonda for being such a dear. And thank you Lori for hosting this wonderful event.
28 comments:
that photo makes me want to pack up my midwestern cold weather clothing and head out there....i SO long to be near water.
Oh now this is such a great story. The fact that she took the time to do this for you speaks volumes about who she is. Sometimes it is the small gestures, the quiet words or the softest tough that makes a difference and we don't always know when we do that what it will mean to someone.
She is a good friend, even if we are all crazy unknown blogging friends...
Thank you Kathy for coming by and making a comment. I love your story. How sweet of someone to be so perceptive of one's forlorn feeling. Glad to meet you fellow Texan.
What a wonderful story and what a wonderful gift to have a person you've never met, so kind.
Oh Kathy, now you have me bawling like a baby. How very sweet and kind of you to remember my post. You've made my day and lifted my spirits…I'm feeling better already.
Thanks my blogging friend!
BTW, Lori what a wonderful idea!
that is a really cool story; I love it!!
This is amazing, Kathy. Just amazing. The power of the friendships we have created over the internet is beyond words.
I love how you have written this with the excerpt of Rhonda's post. Your story is awesome! Tears again from all these wonderful posts. God Bless Lori for her wonderful idea!!
xoxo
Jane
Wow!
That was a great story!
I, too, am surprised at the discovery that we can be friends with people we have never met. :)
AND you are such a good one!
How neat! It is amazing how we bloggers cling to each other, and have such meaningful ties with people we've never met :-) And you're right, beach souls do know each other across miles :-)
Your story gave me goosebumps, and I know you will get there in 2010! Thanks for sharing! Sue
That is a really heart-touching story. It's almost a Karma kind of thing. Goes to show that we are really all connected. I will be following this blog--we're empty-nesters, too.
love that pic !!!!!!!!!!!!
That is soooooo sweet!!!! :-)
I've also "met" lots of great people through blogging. It's amazing how people from all different parts of the world can connect over the Internet and become friends :-)
Thanks for sharing your "nicest" story :-)
Did you get that purple cow song out of your head yet?? ;-)
Kelly
Well dang Kathy - thank goodness my folks at work are used to me having the oocasional sniff or two at work lately because that truly did it for me!! What a touching thing for a blogger buddy to do for you - blogging is hard to explain to a person that doesn't blog, but easy for us to understand that do - hope that came out right - we are all real friends even though we may have not ever "met" in person, we've met in heart and spirit and that post just proves it.
OK - I'm going back to just look at the post again - a couple of sniffs never hurt anyone!!
Happy Tuesday friend!
Kathy out of all the great caring and sharing stories I have seen this past yer here in the wonderful world of blogland this has by far got to be the best one yet...OMG I just loved seeing this...it touched my heart to know how sweet this bunch can be...Thanks so much for sharing this today....Hugs and smiles to you my friend...Gl♥ria
Oh what a great story, and what a touching thing for a blogger to do. I would have been crying too! laurie
Oh Kathy! How sweet of Rhoda to do that for you. Now, you can start preparing for your next trip to St. George. He is waiting!...Christine
What a wonderful story. This touched my heart to the core. I love how the sea has claimed her name and is waiting for her return... oh gosh girl.. blogland touches us in so many ways. Another cloudy dreary day here.. too many in a row we're needing and wanting some sunshine badly.
Hope all is well your way.
hugs ~lynne~
I'm teary eyed. Randam acts of kindness!! Lovely!!!
Oh my goodness Kathy! This is truly so touching, sweet and just so perfect. What a kind soul Rhonda is. I just adore this story!
You're right. Blog friends are the BEST. Thank you for being mine.
~Many Blessings, ~Melissa :)
Kathy - thank you for dropping by and commenting on my nicest thing post. I LOVE this story and so glad you shared. I am a HUGE believer in online friendships - I have many many dear friends that are as close to me as my friends down the street. Cherish this friendship and I just know you will return to Florida next year.
Loved this post:)
Joyce
Hey Kat - you won my blogaversary cloche!! Email me your address and I'll send it out to you.
My email is on my blog on my profile page - congraulations friend!
Happy Weekend -
Oh Kat, this brought tears to my eyes too. I know how badly you wanted to go to the beach this year. This was such a sweet and thoughtful thing to do. What a special person she is. I know you were really touched. I'll keep a prayer going that you really will be there next year. Hugs, Marty
Hi Kat! I loved this story! What a sweet thing for Rhonda to do! And, yes, next year you will be there! If anyone needs some time at the beach, it's you! Take care of yourself! Happy week!...hugs...Debbie
Hi Kathy - I'm pooped too but getting a little more and more excited just thinking about it. There is a lot of yard, but I'm NOT thinking about that until spring/summer (just call me Scarlett O'Hara on that one!)
Not sure what Hi-Tech means on my blog - don't think I have it all set up right yet, but thanks for following.
Got your package in the mail today - I left it in it's original box and just slipped a little note in there - figured that was the safest thing to do. I did leave the return slip in there in case something happens - fingers crossed that it doesn't! Let me know when it gets there OK?
Happy Monday and hope you're feeling better!!
What a wonderful blogging experience to share with us, Kathy! My favourite... when Rhonda showed the photo of the water lapping at your name and she wrote that the Gulf was waiting for your visit next year! I found that to be quite profound, actually. :-)
Like you and many of your commentors, I've met so many fantastic people through blogging. In fact... little bit of trivia... Kelly and I met on line (we've only met once in person) through a home decorating forum! And here we are writing a blog together!!
Life if funny :-)
Victoria @ DesignTies
would be forever grateful that I cross the path called blogging because I met different great people such as you.
Thanks for welcoming me to OW.
By the way, I am trying to generate some support for our daughter. We entered her into a Smile Contest, and was wondering if you could please vote for her (just once), the contest runs until October 31st. Your vote would be so much appreciated.
To cast your vote, please go to this link. Please look for Jillian Rylie Cottrill.
Thank you very much!
Rose
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