Showing up...
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A few years ago (probably more than a few in reality) my Mom prepared a gift similar to the one in the photo for a shower she was attending. This gift stands out in my mind whenever I think of baby (and sometimes wedding) showers. The gift of a basket of white towels. Pure and fresh. Something that can be used for the baby, in the kitchen, wherever needed. And it looks cool in the basket.
Today I am going to a baby shower for a friend from college that I have lost touch with - it is so easy to do. Her name is Holly and she is just the nicest person. I am looking forward to reconnecting with her today.
If you are like me, you have probably lost touch with lots of different people over the years. People who meant bunches to you at one time or another in your life...ever think about reconnecting with them? Calling, writing, emailing?
I have some friends that I can chat with once a year and each time it is like old times. We just laugh and catch up and know that we are thinking of each other even though our lives have gone in different directions. Different paths. There is something very special about those types of friendships. A connection that goes deeper than the span of time.
Or maybe it is a family member you have lost touch with...time, distance, disagreement, etc. These delicate relationships can be so fragile...sometimes the ones we care about most are not always treated the best.
For me today, all I have to do to reconnect is show up. A middle-man took the intervention step in inviting me to the shower. It is tougher to pick up the phone or the pen on your own. It is easier to wait for someone else to make the first move. Maybe there is someone out there you would like to reconnect with...maybe this is the day for you to take a chance, a leap of faith, to say "hey, how's it going," and show up.
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Ali you not only inspire me with your talent but with your powerful words and wisdom. Thank you for this.
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Hi Ali.
Seems weird to write when I don't know you but visit your site. I knew I had a problem when I went on vacation and thought "I wonder how Ali's weekend at CKU was?" Is that sick? :)
I'm a 2peas scrapbooker and have admired you for a long time. Then I "googled" you and found your site and was hooked. You inspired me to create my OWN site to keep in touch with family far and away since we recently moved.
I'm always in awe by your thoughts and the simple way you make me look at things differently. Although we are the roughly the same age, it is interesting to see things from a fresh perspective that is similar, yet different than my own.
Anyway, thought I'd introduce myself and today make a new friend while you also inspire me to not forget the old. And as for yesterdays thoughts...I am thankful for a nice home, a loving husband and the ability to seek a new adventure.
Sara
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Hi Ali,
I've been a long time fan of your work at 2peas and am dying to save some extra money to get your book! :D
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being such a huge inspiration to me creatively. You probably do not realize how many lives you actually have touch be it from your amazing designs, your eloquent words, your brilliant relationship with your husband, you as a mother, and your fun personality, so I'm taking a moment to tell you that you have touched my life.
Far too often, words do go unspoken, letters go unwritten. Just take a small moment in time to make the effort to connect to old friends or make new ones. Those who can call you a good friend are very lucky.
The gift is lovely and so you!
take real good care...
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Ah those towles look so good Ali!! I love white towels wayyy too much!! Nothing is really quite the sameas fluffy white towels- something must happen to them when they become blue or red ;) Such a great message today too! You have agift girl! The gift of inspiration. Thanks for that! :)
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Prudent advice as always. How did you get so wise :).
YOu know, my favourite gift when I had William was a large stack of white washclothes tied with a ribbon from my uncle. I was curious how a 40 year old bachelor (at the time) knew the secret of the perfect baby gift. From an ex-girlfriend he told me. Now it is my favourite gift to give as well! I still use mine today.
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Hi Ali,
I am blessed beyond measure -- a cozy little cottage I call home, a good job, lifelong heartfilled friendships, my three sweet dogs, a loving boyfriend and amazing family... but the thing that I am most thankful for today is the inspiration you provide not only to me, but to all who come in contact with your work.
I wonder if you realize how amazingly talented you are -- not only as a designer -- but as a communicator. You have an ability to touch the essence of a topic. Simply. Directly. Soulfully. And for me -- all of that comes together as an incredible source of inspiration.
Thank you. For keeping it real. For focusing on the everyday. For letting us all in. For sharing. For your amazing gift of inspiration, for which I am truly thankful.
Lynne
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O.k. Oprah. Talk about the motivation that I have needed.It's so weird I totally could'nt fall asleep last night thinking about this topic. I have totally lost in touch with a great friend of mine and hated myself for not keeping up with her. Thanks for the inspiration :)
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It must have been a day for baby showers and reconnecting with old friends. I gave a baby shower for a good friend today, and on her invite list were several people I had lost touch with. It was so nice to go there and see these people and just catch up.
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What a great baby gift and those rolled white towels look so fresh, so soft. Excellent idea.
I'll agree with the other commenters that you, Ali, are truly inspirational. I feel lucky to have your place here in virtual-land to come and get daily inspiration.
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plush white perfection.. hope your reconnection was good..
joy
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Hi Ali
...and yet another way that you inspire! Last night I re-connected with an old friend after a 9-yr silence. It felt so good to finally open that closed door after so many years. It's amazing how time just slips by and we're afraid to knock on that door to old friendships for fear of ... I don't know what... so glad I took that step to reconnect. Thanks for inspiring me to just "show-up" :)
Angi B
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