Thursday, August 9, 2007

To Celebrate YOU

Today is a public holiday in South Africa. We're celebrating National Women's Day and honoring the women that made a special impact in our lives. It also commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’).

You all know what impact my mom has on my life, and one of these days I'll tell you more about my super special sisters. So I decided to celebrate a few other incredible women I know.

YOU are one of them. Yes you, the woman reading this. (If you're a man, oops! Thanks for reading here anyway :) )

Many of you have commented on my previous posts: some often, some once in a while, and some of you feel more comfortable just lurking. Each and every one of you made an impact on my life.

To those of you that left comments - you play such a big part in my healing process, in my journey from here into the future. I cannot begin to tell you how much each and every word has meant to me (and continue to do!), even if you thought it to be ordinary. Thanks for being there, thanks for replying to what I've said, thanks for not thinking me silly and self-indulgent or just plain weird. And even more thanks for the warm, loving, inspiring encouragement you give. It means more to me than you would ever know.

To those of you that just visited, read my posts, and left silently: I thank you too. You took the time to come here, to read my thoughts and feelings, and even though you didn't leave words behind, you left your presence. The fact that you took the time to read my posts, that so many of you are returning day after day - that is special to me too!

I don't know any of you personally, but you're worth so much to me. You might think it of little consequence to me, but I can assure you, your friendship makes my world a brighter and happier place. And yes, I'm calling it friendship. It's far more than just acts of kindness, or good neighborliness. You're giving of yourself, and I hope that I would never disappoint any of you in the way I react towards your gifts of time, advice, encouragement and warmth.

So here's to you my blog friends - go pour yourself a glass of wine or water or juice, and know that you're appreciated a LOT!

10 comments:

JJ said...

Thanks=) I will pour a glass of wine and toast to you!

Lori Lavender Luz said...

You make me want to get on a plane and come knock on your door.

'Tis a pleasure to be part of your circle of friends.

You give as good as you get, Girlfriend, and I appreciate it, too!

Geohde said...

Awww. What a gorgeous post....

KarenO said...

My pleasure PJ - enjoy! :)

Lori - I'm on my way to the airport, what time is your flight landing? *grin*

Geohde - thanks ;)

Pamela T. said...

What a great holiday! Like JJ, I'll toast you. (I think you meant JJ, not PJ in your last comment ;-) -- can we call you KJ? -- what is your middle name?)

We're all in this together and keep each other going in so many important ways. Cheers, PJ

KarenO said...

ROFL! Yes PJ, I meant JJ in my previous reply, and yes you can call me KJ if you want. My mom and dad didn't feel like giving me and my sisters middle names, so I just have the one. But KJ sounds cool to me! ;) (KO might also work, but it's the abbreviation for Knock-out, and that starts a whole different chain of thought!)

lady macleod said...

as the Americans say, "right back at ya' kid!"

Furrow said...

What? L'il old me? Well, shucks. Thanks! You're awfully special yourself.

Furrow said...

Oh, BTW, I can't believe you're an INTP. My husband is an INTP and he could never write such heartfelt posts as you do. His blog is hilarious, but nary a genuine feeling creeps out. That's private stuff. You're so an INFP.

Sarah said...

yep, we know, because we all feel the same way about our blog friends--and that means you!

thanks for sharing your story, and this fantastic holiday!