With thanks and love...
Wifi is down at the house. I'm at a cafe for my Internet fix.
My Yahoo email account is messed up. I can access my mail from my cell, but my account has been disabled on my laptop.
I'm in public looking pretty pathetic: Swimming in a size XL long sleeved tee shirt. Packed like an Vienna sausage in too-small-for-my-blooming-ass running tights. Unwashed hair; always the unwashed hair.
I have a headache, a sore throat, plugged up ears, achy shoulders, bloodshot eyes, and a new zit.
A zit. I'm 51 and I still get zits.
But, what does it matter? It truly doesn't matter. (Well, maybe the zit matters a little bit.) What matters more than my whining and woes is that I'm walking in gratitude for the support, beautiful smiles, laughter and love - oh that mighty, gooey love - I received at BlogHer 06.
All of us who attended have much to share from the BlogHer conference. I will be contributing my humble two cents in the next few days. But before doing that, I want to say:
Thank you, thank you so very much to my beloved sisters and brothers-in-solidarity of the BlogHer community.
And, to the co-founders...
Elisa Camahort
Jory Des Jardins
Lisa Stone
...I extend my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude. I know I speak for many women in telling the three of you this - through the manifestation of your collective vision, I have been able to transform my life beyond my sweetest dreams.
Grace:
It was so nice to meet you finally. (Remember our brief encounter at the hotel desk?) Your comments in the closing keynote were awesome and inspiring.
Jan Kabili
Posted by: Jan Kabili | July 31, 2006 at 01:32 PM
Ditto to what Jan said. (*waving* Hi Jan!)
I'm so glad we got to chat a bit, Grace. You are every inch as real and gracious as I knew you would be. It was an honor.
Posted by: Mir | July 31, 2006 at 02:20 PM
Transform your life beyond your wildest dreams?... Crap I'm jealous.
Next year I'm totally going.
Posted by: Jenny | July 31, 2006 at 03:03 PM
Yeah...me, too. Jealous. Or, as one anonymous and mean-spirited commenter spelled it when I upset her by criticizing Tom Cruise: JELUS!!
Yes...I'm both of those.
Posted by: wordgirl | July 31, 2006 at 03:07 PM
Gracious,
One of the biggest lessons I'm learning in my quest to be an adult is that we are in this thing for one reason: to serve. I consider my work with BlogHer to be my way of serving--by helping the ones who know to do it best keep on doing it. Thank you for inspiring me an helping me fulfill MY wildest dreams.
Love and light,
Posted by: Jory Des Jardins | July 31, 2006 at 05:14 PM
I'm sorry that i couldn't make it to BlogHer this year. I was looking forward to being there and seeing you again, and i'm glad that it's continuing to be such a positive event for you and so many others.
Posted by: Ping | July 31, 2006 at 10:50 PM
It sounds like you had a great time. I can't wait to hear more about it! Hope the wifi comes back soon and you are feeling better already!
Posted by: Moogie | August 01, 2006 at 03:47 AM
I, too, am grateful to those three, and to you, dear Grace, for all you do to help us and bring us together.
Posted by: nina | August 01, 2006 at 08:15 AM
Remember when I told you that you have a gift for making people feel loved and like they matter? I meant it. I love you, you are wonderful and I feel lucky to know you.
xoxo
Posted by: Y | August 01, 2006 at 03:32 PM
Grace!
It was such a pleasure to share a table with your family and enjoy the keynote. I cannot recall being so inspired at any conference. You make me want to write. And, you make me smile.
In Gracious Gratitude, You Gal With Attitude!
Posted by: Denise | August 01, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Such a joy to spend time with you this weekend, Grace.
A "culture of generosity" may exist across the blogosphere, but you, my dear, are one of the places where it begans.
Much love,
Posted by: Kimberly | August 01, 2006 at 10:00 PM
After reading so much about BlogHer, I wish I lived near there. sounds like such a wonderful experience!
Posted by: TC | August 02, 2006 at 07:06 AM
I wanted to get a chance to meet you, but you kept running around like a madwoman, I couldn't grab you. Maybe sometime?
Posted by: stayathomemotherdom | August 02, 2006 at 06:45 PM
Hello Grace.
It was a pleasure to meet you at BlogHer.
When your yahoo mail is up and running, please take a look at the invite we sent you to join Silicon Valley Moms Blog. We would LOVE to have you as one of our contributors... or even a visiting contributor! Whatever you would like.....
Jill
Co-Founder,
Silicon Valley Moms Blog
Posted by: Jill | August 02, 2006 at 08:46 PM
I still haven't had the pleasure of meeting you :((
...and I seriously doubt you ever look "vile and pathetic".
Posted by: Jim | August 03, 2006 at 12:12 AM
Ditto to everything that everyone else has said.
You have a way of talking to people that makes them feel as if they are the most important person in the room. And for that I thank you.
Posted by: chris | August 03, 2006 at 09:29 AM
Ah Chris, you're right. Thanks Grace for everything you've done to support women bloggers. I'm so glad we're friends.
Posted by: Lisa Stone | August 03, 2006 at 03:19 PM
Hi! Grace. Just wanted to pop in and say it was great to meet you (briefly! you were so! busy :) ) at BlogHer. You really are one hip lady.
Hugs.
Posted by: kerri anne | August 05, 2006 at 11:08 AM