Savor Each Word: A #LessonLearned by Galit Breen
The moment I found Galit Breen‘s blog, These Little Waves, I sighed. I felt like I’d settled down into a soft leather chair and found a comfortable place. Delicious pictorial spreads paired with lush descriptive writing are Galit’s trademark, and I don’t think I have ever missed a post since I found her.
Today, Galit writes of online friendships. How we know each other in parts. How comments are so deeply received. I admire Galit for the woman I believe she is. The woman she shows to the world: even if it is a slightly edited version of herself.
If you haven’t yet stumbled upon These Little Waves, you need to. And Tweeps can follow her at @GalitBreen.
Click on the teacher lady's hand to see other posts that are part of this series.
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Savor Each Word
I curl into my green chair by the light of the moon, and my laptop.
My two-handed key strokes (consistent teasing fodder for my husband, but my preferred method nonetheless) fill this space.
As much as I love the touch and the sound and even the smell of Motherhood, this Small Quiet is what I crave.
I click into my latest blog post, ready to devour its comments.
Love letters and responses to my writing wrapped neatly within your words.
“Oh me, too.” One soothes.
“You’ll be fine.” Another encourages.
“Your flexibility is amazing.” Says a third. And here, I falter.
I blush at this kindness because I know it doesn’t speak my Whole Truth.
I’m the Mom who enforces cleanups before movies, the one who brushes out every single snaggle despite LOUD protests, and the one who plants her feet deeply into aged carpet that has so very little Give in the face of Change.
Don't you want to be part of this family?
So when, through my writing, I reveal a single moment where I embrace Life’s Flow puzzle pieced to the many (truly, many) times that leave me breathless and speechless and digging my toes deeper, and more firmly, in place – I falter.
I worry that what I’ve splayed is Unfair, Untrue, Un-me. And this is what stains my cheeks pink.
But here is what I’ve learned in the delicious time that I’ve been blogging: What we share is a slice of who we are, not the whole picture, and that’s okay.
All of our braids are woven in their own ways. My own is wisps of Going With The Flow edging the Flat Ironed Edges of my day-to-day.
Each one a piece of my puzzle and when shared with you, a piece of Our Story. Significant, in this unique way.
The gift of our online friendships lies within these shared moments. Me in my green chair and you in yours, separated by many miles but just a few heartstrings.
In our everyday lives, compliments are often brushed aside, pushed away.
But in our writing, we can pause this weathered habit, savor each word, and let it in as our own.
This, I (finally) know for sure. And so, I’ll start.
Renée, those words up there that had me shaking my head defiantly like my Israeli Mama taught me to, are yours. And I’m here to say – Thank you, truly. You lifted me with them.
Who have you lifted up today?
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54 responses to “Savor Each Word: A #LessonLearned by Galit Breen”
Renee, thank you so very much for having me here today!
Galit: Thank you so much for being here today! I know you are a busy woman, posting here and at Do Sweat the Small Stuff. Your words impact so many people. You have to know this as Truth.
I hope you will come over (after you wake up and have your morning coffee) and say hello to all the people who love you so very much.
You? Are kind.
And I? Am so here, coffee in hand! :)
xo
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Galit – so lovely! I am mom of 5 and this resonated deeply – perfect for the end of a busy week. And it’s exactly what I both feel and do with my blog. Thank you…..
Marilyn, thank you so very much for your kind words. They so mean so much to me!
And that connection that we share through this blogging world that we share? Is perfection!
My heartstring is closely connected to yours in a way I could never imagine. Thank YOU for your constant gentle, kind words and generous friendship, Galit. And for sharing slices of your life with me, and so many others who have received the grace of your words, heart and mind. xo
You? Blow me away.
Thank you, girl, your friendship means the absolute world to me!
I do believe we are tethered, we’ve known for awhile that we are #SoulSisters.
Thank you for the sweet, generous words here today. Truly.
xo
Renee, What an amazing guest post by Galit. I felt that deep breath in when I landed on her blog months ago and let a huge breath out. She had a way of making my mind settle when life has me shaking. These Little Waves is one of my favorite happy places on the web. I would much rather reread her words and settle my world than scroll through Pinterest. Crazy to some but so true to me.
Sweet Kristen? You’re so very good for my HeartSoul.
I’m so happy that we’ve connected, and wow am I ever proud to call you a friend!
(Thank you for being here today. It means so much to me!)
xo
I should have ended my blog reading for the day with this piece. It calmed me. Maybe I’ll read it again tonight.
mark
Thank you, sweet Mark, so very much.
Alison’s comment above may have made me cry just a little bit. So beautiful. I so enjoy Galit’s writing. So much truth to this post.
You and me both, sister, in terms of the tears ala Alison! :)
Thank you for your note, and sweet words.
Both mean so very much to me!
“The gift of our online friendships…lies in just a few heart strings…” says it perfectly and beauty-fully. Some people don’t get this world of online friendships. For me, it’s an opportunity to have conversations that might never happen because of life circumstances–like those with cousins seldom seen, with grandchildren’s friends because of something I say to a grandchild, with former students making their way in the world, and with those who seem like we ought to be friends if life made us neighbors. Some people believe that online connections preclude real life interaction. I believe that it’s the other way around. Online connections opens doors. I am grateful to be able to glimpse through to what’s on the other side…
Hi D’Alta,
I love every single word that you wrote, and agree wholeheartedly; I’ve grown so very much from my online friendships. They’ve given me the courage and the know-how to maneuver my “real life” relationships in a better, stronger way.
This line that you wrote: “those who seem like we ought to be friends if life made us neighbors” – stunning truth, right there.
Thank you for your note, truly.
Galit,
That was beautiful!
I agree, some people don’t get the online thing, and the true gift it is. I value all the connections I make. Some more than certian IRL friends. ssh…don’t tell!
Loved your post!
Hi Elena,
Your secret is safe with me! :)
Thanks so much for the note, I appreciate it so very much!
I love how much taller Kayli is than her siblings in the pic on your homep