Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and with a breath of kindness blow the rest away. ~ George Elliot
I’ve been saving some of my favorite flower shots and when I noticed that most were purple, it reminded me of my friend Sarah. I seem to hold on tight to things that really matter, like my favorite photos and precious girlfriends.
Inviting
Circling
Floating
Dangling
Gathering
Sarah is the kind of friend who
~ calls to check in on me… How are you feeling? How was your weekend? Do you want to meet for a hike?
~ calls to check in on her… Did I say too much? Do you think those other girls are mad at me? What do you think about…
It’s so good to have girlfriends who share so openly, who I can be all of me with, without worrying about what or how I say something. Sometimes I’ll bitch or brag or offend, that’s part of who I am, but my girlfriends are okay with that and we work through the mess or even better; we get to have fun talking about how great we think we are in a moment of pure selfish joy. I’m so grateful I have girlfriends who trust me enough to bitch & brag, especially when I encourage 🙂 It’s fun to hear everything sometimes!
Thank you Sarah and Amy and Lisa and Shea and Susan and Cheryl and Beth and Joan and Sharon and Jenny and Ellza and Bonnie and Connie and Liz and Gretchen and Jill and Gail and Julie and Barb the list goes on and keeps growing, and I think it might grow even more as I learn how to set things free. I think things will bloom brighter and flourish in new ways.
I am so lucky to have each of you in my life.
Thank you & I love you,
~ christine
P.S. The first time I met Sarah for lunch we started chatting about stumbling into blog land and began exchanging some of our favorites. She declared that I should have a blog… and I’d been secretly thinking about it, she gave me the needed push to go for it!
posted:
christine m young ✻ artist 
#1 by Marcie on July 24, 2011 - 2:05 pm
Exquisite beauty. Love the color..the detail. WOW!
#2 by pattisj on July 24, 2011 - 3:21 pm
I’m glad she gave you the push! Lovely flowers, and what a blessing to have some many you can call friends!
#3 by Christine M Young on July 24, 2011 - 3:34 pm
Thanks Patti, I am so lucky ~ and I consider you a friend too 🙂
#4 by Susan D on July 24, 2011 - 5:11 pm
My beautiful friend Christine…it is your words that have continued to support me as I make my way on this trail where I have never been before…never realizing how much support I had before and placing myself in a place of unknown has been difficult (as you know). Your words have brought a smile to my lips, swells of tears in my eyes, and overflowing joy to my heart, and unbeknownst to me … help in treading the water. I miss you dearly and send you lots of <3…. so grateful Sarah encouraged you to blog for it keeps me connected to you 🙂
#5 by Christine M Young on July 24, 2011 - 5:27 pm
It is so difficult to move and build a new life, and build new friendships…it takes a lot more time & effort & trust than I first imagined. This blog has been a beautiful opportunity to stay connected to people I moved away from (twice now) and the blog has created new friendships with people in places I’ve never been 🙂 So I feel lucky & grateful most days, other days I so miss being in person with a group of girlfriends! I The guest bedroom will be painted soon, will you be my first visitor?
#6 by redorgray2 on July 24, 2011 - 10:17 pm
oh this is such a touching post .. your flowers mingled among the joy of friendship ..pure poetry and joy ~
#7 by Christine M Young on July 25, 2011 - 10:06 am
Thanks Elaine, I’m grateful for your friendship and I’ve met so many new potential friends thanks to the lovely links you post. Thanks for taking the time 🙂
#8 by missing moments on July 24, 2011 - 10:18 pm
the flowers are lovely
and friends
are priceless
#9 by Christine M Young on July 25, 2011 - 9:59 am
Priceless ~ Yes, thanks for your friendship 🙂
#10 by ladyfi on July 25, 2011 - 3:08 am
These flowers, like friends, make the garden of life beautiful!
#11 by Christine M Young on July 25, 2011 - 9:58 am
They do, thanks for your friendship 🙂
#12 by PC PHOTO on July 25, 2011 - 9:22 am
Hi – great flower shots, the dangling and floating images are striking – love purple too. So glad I posted on Macro Monday and found your blog. Stop by mine to poke around when you have time:)
#13 by Jan on July 25, 2011 - 12:00 pm
Wonderful photos and tribute to Sarah.
#14 by lisa on July 25, 2011 - 12:14 pm
Christine, your photographs are just beautiful, and your blog equally so. Thank you for your visit and truly kind comment. It is how I found you here, and I am so glad I did!
Have a wonderful day!
lisa.
#15 by Jillsy Girl on July 25, 2011 - 2:14 pm
I just love that quote….I can read it over and over. I think I might have to do something special with it. I’m so glad we met because I just adore coming over here and seeing not only what you have to share visually but also all your kind words and thoughts!
#16 by Christine M Young on July 25, 2011 - 2:49 pm
It is one of my favorite quotes too 🙂
#17 by Linda Makiej on July 25, 2011 - 2:48 pm
Gorgeous shots – the colors are amazing!
#18 by genie on July 25, 2011 - 7:30 pm
you must love lavender as much as i do. these shots are just beautiful…your captures wonderful. lovely photography. genie
#19 by Pradeepa on July 26, 2011 - 1:31 am
Beautiful images. The last one is my favourite and you are very lucky to have such lovely friends.
#20 by LIsa's Chaos on July 26, 2011 - 4:31 pm
Sarah definitely sounds like the type of friend to have. 🙂
#21 by Hilary on July 27, 2011 - 9:21 am
Lovely photos and clearly Sarah is a lovely friend.
#22 by beth on July 27, 2011 - 10:01 pm
oh christine….this was beautiful and now we know who to thank for giving us the gift of YOU !
i’m so glad she pushed. i’m so glad you’re here. i’m so glad we’re exploring and sharing together as we travel this thing called life….even though we often wonder what to do with it now 🙂
xoxox
#23 by countingducks on July 29, 2011 - 6:00 am
I love the photos, and am also very pleased you were pushed into having a blog
#24 by jeanie on August 16, 2011 - 6:59 pm
If this is the same Sarah I know, you nailed her to the max! She is divine and what a tribute!