Thursday, April 11, 2013

Gratitude Buddy

 


Sometime last year this lovely lady, Renee, and I found each other in the blog world. You know how it goes...you find a new blog, a little something about it draws you in and before you know it you have found a friend. Renee and I would read each others blogs, and then one day I got an email from Renee. We chatted about a few things via email and our connection grew stronger. Towards the end of December an email from her showed up in my inbox asking if I would like to be her gratitude buddy.

I had never heard of a gratitude buddy, but followed the link Renee had sent to learn more. Basically we email each other at the end of each day with a little list of the things we are grateful for. It is a very simple practice with profound benefits. I had been keeping a gratitude journal already and thought sharing my gratitude would be a wonderful next step.

So I sent the first gratitude email on January 1 and we haven't missed a day. The really amazing thing is that it is more than just gratitude we share each day, we share so much more. From tough parenting moments, to the really good ones. From trips to the yarn shop to the little moments of time we carve out to knit and read. From little successes in our lives to the bits of sadness and disappointment that make our hearts ache. These last few months have been the beginning of a wonderful connection.

What I have failed to mention so far is that Renee lives in the UK and I live in Canada. You can imagine how happy I was to learn Renee's parents live just a short 90 minute drive from my home and that she was coming to visit for Easter. We made plans to meet for lunch.

Yesterday was the day. We met at the lovely Raw Aura for lunch and had a wonderful time. I felt so comfortable in her presence, like we were long lost friends, soul mates from another time. We enjoyed delicious food, swapped some gifts, introduced our children to each other and I got to met her hubby. We talked, laughed and enjoyed our time together.

I was sad to see it come to an end, but little ones were getting antsy and the time had come to make the trek home. A few pictures, some hugs and fond farewells and we were off. It was a lovely visit and I know our friendship will continue to grow as we share our gratitude and lives through our emails each day.

Love and hugs to you Renee. Thank you for a wonderful afternoon.

P.S. Yes, that is my shalom I am wearing.

33 comments:

  1. That is a wonderful story!
    As I have many friends abroad and overseas I very much cherish the following quote
    Because I know it is true! And it fits so well with your story Kim!
    "Friendship is never limited by distance or by time, it can reach around the world and last forever"
    Warm thoughts from (finally) sunny Vienna!

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    1. Oh I love that Karin-Ida, just beautiful!

      You have sun, we have snow :(

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  2. It's so special when we make those soul-connections, and to be able to meet them in person...that's amazing!! How lovely for you both. :)

    The gratitude list sounds like a wonderful thing do.

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    1. It was so very wonderful to meet in person.

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  3. Yay! How fun to have a real life blogger meet up. I'm glad you both had a wonderful time.

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    1. It was great fun KC. And I might be having another real life blogger meet up this summer...can't wait!

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  4. How wonderful that you got to meet!! I love the whole idea behind the emails. Something to remind you how good life really is. Your shalom is gorgeous!!!

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    1. That is exactly what it does. It doesn't matter how bad a day might have been when I sit down to send that email to Renee I am forced to find the wonderful things in my day and share them. Without a doubt after that email is sent I feel so full of thanks and love for this life I lead.

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  5. You look fabulous in your shalom and you're lucky to me a blog friend in real life. I hope to one day meet many of the people I've made connections with. You and your friend look lovely together.

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    1. Thank you Karen. I am hoping to meet a few more blog friends too.

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  6. How beautiful. I love that you have both connected so deeply through gratitude xx

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  7. I love this Kim! I've just recently "met" Renee in the blogworld and I love knowing that you two met in person and had a lovely lunch together with the kids. It looks like her trip home to Canada has been great, all around. How wonderful!!

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    1. Thanks Lisa, you actually came up in conversation yesterday :) It was so amazing to connect with Renee in person.

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  8. How wonderful! Sounds like a great match.
    The shalom looks lovely!

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  9. How cool! I love it when blogging friends can cross over into "real" life.

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    1. My first experience with it and it was wonderful. Looking forward to meeting more blogging friends this summer.

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  10. Oh Kim, that's such a beautiful story!!! I never heard of gratitude buddys before but it sounds like a wonderful idea. I hope you keep growing together and get the chance to meet up again (what coincidence that her parents live so close!). Much Love, Halina xxx

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    1. Awe, thanks Halina. I had not heard of a gratitude buddy before Renee's email either. I am just so happy she chose to ask me, it has been a wonderful experience in so many ways.

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  11. What a wonderful idea. I love that a close friendship grew out of such a wonderful thing as gratitude. I might have to connect with someone to do this as well. Such a lovely idea. Your shalom is beautiful as are you. Your smile is so genuine and lovely.

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    1. Thank you Sara, that means a lot :)

      And yes do it, it has been an amazing experience for us and I know it is only going to get better.

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  12. This is so wonderful Kim! I know you have been looking forward to this day! I am so happy for you both!

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  13. What a great idea! I think it's so wonderful that you two took the time to make this a part of your days. Sometimes a kindred spirit is closer than we ever realized. So happy for you. And your shalom is lovely too.

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  14. What a wonderful idea!! Beautiful pictures.

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  15. That is so lovely and what a wonderful idea. I love your shalom Kim. xxoo

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  16. Thank you very much for this beautiful post, Kim! I will always treasure it and our friendship :)

    Big love and hugs to you too!
    xoxoxo

    (still catching up on blogs... :) )

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    1. You are so very welcome Renee. Have fun catching up :)

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