Friday, January 29, 2010

Physical Hope


I went to the door today and picked up my mail, including a small, soft package. Inside, I unwrapped the mysterious object above and the following note from my blogger friend Kathleen at the beautiful Hill Country Mysteries.

Dear Elizabeth,
This is a sea-heart. I found it on the beach in Miami after a storm.
It's the seed of the liana vine that grows along rivers in Central and South America. The seeds fall into the river and are carried out to gulf/sea/ocean, where they float in the currents. A seed may float for 18 months, two years, or more, through hurricanes, and no rain, burning sun, hundreds sometimes thousands of miles before working up on a shore.
I'd hold the sea heart in my hand and think about that journey, how far and how hard. And I'd think that if a little seed could make that trip, I could make the next day. Then I'd put it in my pocket and wrap my fingers around it when I was discouraged. Physical hope.
I'm hoping for health for Sophie and the best for you and your family too.


Is this not the kindest gift?

Thank you so much, Kathleen. From the bottom of my heart.

I have physical hope, now.

15 comments:

  1. yes.

    a litle piece of real to dispel the ethereal...

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  2. What a beautiful, thoughtful deeply moving gift. I'm grateful that you shared this with us.

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  3. Elizabeth, I'm glad it made the trip through the mail. A sea-heart seemed so right for your mermaid. It was a joy to share with you. I think about you and Sophie every day and hope the best for you.

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  4. Wow. What a beautiful gift! What a beautiful friend.

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  5. That is the kindest gift I've seen in a long time.

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  6. What a beautiful gesture. Along the lines of your comment on one of my recent posts, this is a perfect example of the wonderful things that can happen -- the friendships that form -- through our connections on the Internet, especially through our blogs. I always got the sense from Kathleen's writing that she's a woman with a great heart, and your post today confirms that! Thanks for sharing it with us.

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  7. Elizabeth,
    I appreciate you sharing this, I can picture you holding it. That brings me peace too.
    Kathleen.. so your gift is greater still.
    What a perfect gesture, a perfect symbol.

    and I'm getting all teary here, in the company of such beautiful women. I keep saying who knew, but I'm glad in a way for this mysterious thing that is unfolding . Honoured to know amazing, generous, incredible women.

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  8. Wow. What a gift...

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  9. Oh gosh, this is lovely, and the words she used. What a perfect gift.

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  10. SO lovely, and such a thoughtful friend.

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