Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Island Girls

I didn't even know their last names.
I've been reticent to blog about my weekend.

You know the one...

...where for three days I ventured to an island that was 3000 miles,
and a million thoughts away,
from home.
It was the trip that was to be filled with "strangers."

This would be the vacation where I would leave my children with family,
and miss my husbands arrival to the desert,
to meet women who were but voices in a world that feels tangible,
and is yet,
distant.

Now it's over...
that meeting of women who I once knew only through written word...
and I feel betwixt and between a joyful sorrow...

Because now this wonderful world of cyber-friendship suddenly feels
like it won't be enough.

As we shared our lives,
our laughter,
and our love for God
with each other
I remember looking across the table at these women and realizing
that this is authentic:

Joy...


and

Hope...
...in the flesh, sitting before me...
I didn't need to know their last names.

At one point Gretchen and I had a few minutes in the early morning
when all was quiet and cool.
I said,
"I wonder what God is up to?"
because I cannot imagine why He would allow me the privilege
to meet these four women from four different states...
it cannot be for nothing.

So we had a lot of fun,
but there was bittersweet in the weekend too.
There were three Island Girls who weren't with us...
and though we had never been together,
instinctively we knew
that we weren't complete.
There will be another time...
it may not be on the island,
but they will always be
my Island Girls.

17 comments:

Gretchen said...

Me too, LVCG. Me too. And I wonder what He's up to. I think we saw but the back of the tapestry, but it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever had the honor to see. Platernal, indeed.

Tanya said...

Too cool.

Carpool Queen said...

Words fail.
Tears do not.

Melissa Angert {All Things Chic} said...

so neat. thanks for sharing.

Tiffani said...

you'll have to go read my comment on Gretch's post yesterday b/c it summarizes my thoughts so well!

What a beautiful experience and I was with you all there in spirit. I'm just filled with joy reading all of your words and seeing your faces...because you're right God doesn't do that without having something in mind...multi-faceted even.

Glad your time was precious...

Can we please plan our date soon?? ;) I'm getting all anxious with so many folks meetin' and such! After you get home, of course, and we need a chat again very soon!! I miss my therapist's voice! Love you!

Amber said...

Very beautiful post.

I'm so glad that you had such an amazing time. Processing God's amazing grace, gifts, and bounty is tough. Soak it in.

Anonymous said...

ooo so glad you guys had a great time!!

Vindiciti said...

Sounds like you had a blessed time. I stopped over from HisGirl's and I do believe that I'm staying. Beautifully written! Now pardon me whilst I poke around...

His Girl said...

this just made me well up with tears at work- and only now was brave enough to read it again.

well, well said. how on earth am I supposed to go back to real life without my platernal sistahs?

Candace said...

So ya'll had not met before in the flesh? Well- I know you and CPQ have, but not the others?

Great post.

And I love that pic of CPQ. That's a good one for sure.

Jenster said...

*sigh* Beautiful post, my dear friend.

Melissa said...

Hopped over from His Girl's blog. Nice to "meet" you. I see you're my southern neighbor (I'm in Virginia).

I know you guys had a wonderful time. God is good!

adrienne said...

Looks like you all had a great time. Lucky you!

Brandy said...

wow. What a beautiful expression of friendship. I love how you did this. Im with Sus. Tears.

Such The Spot said...

You were reticent to blog about it maybe...but when you did...boy did you.

Beautifully written.

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

That was beautiful, Kellie.

Jackie said...

Kellie...beautiful! Courage, Joy, Strength, Hope...and I have a feeling that you are Love, because it just pours out of you here on your blog - so I know that is who you truly are!