Virtual Coffee…

If we were having coffee, I would give you a hug hello. I would gladly take one of your muffins. I would buy you a drink, and I would listen to what’s been on your heart, what’s been challenging you. And I’d know very well before hand that our time would fly by so quickly.

Then I would tell you about some challenges happening, and I would encourage you to take the time you need in rebuilding, restrengthening because sometimes we have to be full before we can go and fill up others. You know? <3

I must say that the hat is fantastic and I may have to go purchase it for myself.

What a nice cup of coffee. And in reference to your last statement…I rely a lot on friends. I also try to concentrate on really little things that make me happy. Like coffee and sunsets and my girls’ smiles and how my husband’s hair is graying ever so nicely. And a good book. Always a good book.

It works sometimes. Other times, well…I just kind of coast.

If we were having coffee, I’d bring tea–because I’m so not a coffee person I’d definitely eat at least two muffins if they’re vegan…or I’d bring my own vegan muffins, because there’s no way I could watch someone else eat delicious baked goods without joining in.

I’d tell you that I get lonely, too. My husband works outside the home and he drives our only car to work…so, I’m pretty much stranded unless where I want to go is within walking distance. I’d also tell you that I can’t imagine what it would be like to have your children in school after spending a summer together–I get discombobulated when my dogs are at the vet and not at home

I’d also share that I pushed myself to paint this morning, and it felt really good. I got two mixed media journal pages done, and they make me super happy!

I’d tell you that I completely understand what it’s like to feel beaten down by life, and that I try to take at least half a day to reenergize myself by doing fun things like paint my toenails purple, do yoga outside in the sunshine, read a good book, and bake apple spice cupcakes.

As an older woman, I would probably just feel like listening. My life is relatively even-keel, and has been so for several years. I’m a retired teacher, my younger husband still works, and our two sons are located on opposite US coasts. I really don’t have any close friends who live around me; my best friends are ones I made in college 45 years ago! We rarely see each other, and only one is a consistent communicator via e-mail and letter. I would like to listen to you, let you talk, and encourage you.

i LOVE this idea meagan! wish we lived closer

I LOVE the hat – you most definitely are a hat person. And that last photograph is beautiful.

oh, so glad that i’m not the only one eating my days away in this empty house.
love.that.hat.
and because i know what kind of person you are…you’ve already gotten back on that horse. you do it every day. just some days you ride further.

I am in love with the virtual coffee morning. I read through all of the responses and it really felt like we all showed up. This was my experience.

I waited my turn to give you a hug. I complimented you on that fabulous hat and agreed to wear mine to the next coffee morning. I said yes to a delicious muffin but by the time you looked back my way there were only crumbs left. It felt like comfort food and it was just what I needed after having dropped all my girls off at school. I understood why you baked them, I usually make cookies. I listened whole-heartedly to the hard bits that have been invading your brain space. I also shared some of mine. Like how I already can’t wait to outgrow my great bakery job because of my letterpress work so that I can be at home all the time again. There was also a lot of laughing when the conversations became a little silly. As it travelled around the table, it was so nice to get to know some of the others. I stopped to talk to Amy and I gave her a hug because we were in the same predicament last year and I know I could have used one when it felt like the walls in my world came crumbling down around me. I told her about the morning after we had found out and I had to go into the school where I was supposed to be helping out and tell them why I couldn’t and how I burst into tears in front of all of them and how it really took me by surprise. Most importantly, I left with a full heart and enough friendship to get me through until the next virtual coffee even though I had tea instead.

If only we could meet over coffee for real! I’d give you a big hug and thank you for being such an incredible inspiration.

I know exactly what you mean… about the online friend distance thing. I’ve been putting some effort into working on local relationships (although two are from blogging… but that still counts..) and the face to face stuff makes all the difference. You have my number, call me anytime

LOVE the hat!
And I’d eat a many muffins as possible… sounds so good right now!

mmmm, muffins. Yes, please! I’ve been eating a lot too lately. I thought it was the weather. So nice to meet you for coffee today, and hear your story, and know that I’m not alone. As far as the horse goes, all I know how to do is get back on it, but it can be exhausting. I LOVE your hat!

How do I get back on my horse when feeling beaten down by life? I go to a restorative yin yoga class! Calms my monkey mind and settles me comfortably inside my body. What’s not to love?

What a cute hat! If we were having coffee together, I’d definitely partake in the muffin-y goodness. I might even order a breve latte to share because sometimes you just need to be a little decadent in life.

I’d listen to your woes and tell you that when I was pummeled by life, I went home to my parents and found my center. But that’s not my only option. Sometimes, when I’m overwhelmed and off-balance, I just check out for an afternoon, go to a bookstore and wander the shelves or go watch a movie. Even if it means you need to drop the kids off with a friend or a sitter for a few hours, sometimes that time to yourself is necessary to be the woman and mom you want to be. It’s not selfish to take time for yourself. And it doesn’t mean you love the people in your life any less if sometimes you just need a little bit of space. In fact, on occasion, I think it can do good for everyone involved.

And if you were feeling a little better after our chat, then I’d tell you just how crazy tired I am of packing. How stressed I am that I need to pack, drive for 3 hours, prep for a conference that’s this weekend, then drive 3 hours back to paint/clean/meet with a landlord…and then drive 3 hours again to my parents’ house. How I really wish I could get some sleep but the next 2 months will be insane sorting/packing, working, and saying good bye to everyone, getting on a plane to Thailand, then living and working out of a hotel until we find a house. But, underneath all the stress and worry and fatigue? OMG I’m so excited!