I’m so honored to meet you. I’m so sorry I’m late. I love your book. It has helped me so much. I can’t believe I’m here with you. I haven’t been a very good mom. I need this so much. I haven’t even finished reading it yet. I’ve tried to meditate on my own but I can’t do it. I tried other books but they were so complicated. I love to hear you speak. Will you write another one? Will you write about marriage? I hope so. My friend met you and she burst into tears. This is really helping me. You’ve helped so many women. How did you become so wise? There’s no one like you out there. Let me ask you a question. I’m going to come back. I’m going to come see you again. I can’t wait to read your next book. I love you. You don’t know how much you’re helping me. Thank you for being here for me.
And I said:
I’m not here for you; you’re here for me.
In honor of Mandy who came to the beginner’s retreat yesterday and showed me how to begin again.
And to you, who do the same for me every single time you come here. You cannot know how much you help me.
mandy took the words right out of my head.
finding you karen, is truly one of the richest blessings in my life.
i hope to have the honor of sitting with you one day.
in love and light,
xo
k
Comment by Kirsten Michelle — February 16, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
and I am learning that what I take away from others, from relationships is so much more than I could have ever thought when younger…
I thank you as well.
Comment by Cat — February 16, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
Will try again.
Comment by Chris — February 16, 2009 @ 5:04 pm
I don’t comment much…the words elude me…and i know that the silence is good too…but many a time…your words linger in my mind…and in that instant when i hear them….i thank you…for being here…for talking…for teasing…for saying it like it is…for being honest and human…for being here for us…i thank you xx
Comment by pERiWinKle — February 16, 2009 @ 7:26 pm
Dear Karen,
Reading your writing brings me hope, faith and laughter.
Your words that always stick in my mind are that ‘as a mother we have infinite possibilities’.
Maybe you didn’t say this, but it makes me think of you.
I think of these words when I think there no solutions.
I am a writer, artist, therapist and mother to two darling girls ( ages 5 and 18 months).
At the moment my partner has severe back problems and my mother-in-law has cancer.
I have fallen from bliss into a manic, hard, hard time.
So, I need my faith and some head space or maybe just to accept my current reality. But it’s tough.
So, thanks for giving this space for me to write in.
Be well.
Comment by lasuza — February 16, 2009 @ 7:29 pm
I hear things like that often and ponder the why…anything I’ve ever written was purely selfishly for me. Written to get the pain and sorrow expunged out on the page before me. Yet, I have readers tell me all the time, you said something I could never find the words for Thank You. I never tell them it will never be about them…not for me. Because if I ever start writing for them, I fear losing me.
The fact some of my pain can bring such clairvoyance to theirs is heartening. It makes all the suffering not for naught. (Hugs)Indigo
Comment by Indigo — February 16, 2009 @ 8:31 pm
Amen dear Karen….Amen.
Comment by Meg Casey — February 17, 2009 @ 1:31 am
its an honor, and a comfort, to breathe the same air as you, karen. in and out, one breath at a time, together.
endless thanks.
Comment by Holly — February 17, 2009 @ 4:18 am
I don’t know what the equivalent of 🙂 for welling up is – but that.
Comment by Fiona Robyn — February 17, 2009 @ 8:57 am
I don’t leave comments very often either, but i have thought all of those things about you/zen/motherhood/life and i so appreciate this blog and your being here on the planet. I come to your blog and do a big exhale each time.
-Jill
Comment by Anonymous — February 17, 2009 @ 1:57 pm
And a big thanks to you from Thailand for keepin’ it real! Your book is a permanent fixture on my night stand, for easy reference.
Comment by Lana — February 17, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
Come on over to my place for my comment.
xo
Comment by jena strong — February 18, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
You are getting the love you deserve because it is the love you have put out into the universe. This makes me very happy. Thank you.
Comment by Shalet — February 19, 2009 @ 3:40 am
If my readership has provided you even a fraction of the support and solace I have found in your words, I am humbled. Here’s to all of us, here for each other.
Comment by East End Jenn — February 20, 2009 @ 6:10 pm
Um yeah, I could have written the exact same thing…glad she did. You are so loved, Karen, and we know how much you love us back.
Comment by Leah — February 20, 2009 @ 8:24 pm
What a beautiful gift – a reminder that we are all students and all teachers.
This post is exactly why you are one of my most favorite people in all the world. Thank you for being a teacher to all of us. We are blessed by your presence.
I look forward to the days when my girl is a tad older and I can attend one of your retreats. For now, my life truly is my practice.
Comment by Nikole — February 22, 2009 @ 5:58 pm