Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
I wasn’t going to write today. I woke up to freezing temperatures and a yard of wilting plants. But then I checked my phone and found love in the Twitter feed.
I melted into tears. I’ve know Leigh Anne virtually for years. We’ve visited each other’s blogs. We’ve exchanged teaching ideas. One summer I did a Google Hang-out with a summer writing class she was teaching. But we’ve never met in person. To think that my words could be so inspiring to someone I’ve never met face to face just boggles my mind.
My friend, Julieanne, wrote today about her cyber-bubble, those people we hang out with virtually through Twitter and Facebook, Voxer and Blogger. In this world, I’ve met some of the most precious people on earth. I have come to call them friends.
In this daily struggle to understand what the hell we are doing here, my online community holds me together, grounds me, helps me to see what is truly important.
My OLW this year is Cherish. Leigh Anne coined the term Cherishment. I cherish all of you who click over to this space and read and comment and otherwise spread the love. Please take a minute to go to Leigh Anne’s blog today. She made a poem from comments on my blog. I plan to print the poem and keep it close.
On Wednesday this week, my body revolted. I had a violent and mean stomach virus. Along with cherishing others this year, I want to cherish my own body. I hated it with a passion on Wednesday, but a miracle shot from my trusted physician made it all better.
Today, I was encouraged by a friend to attend a yoga class. I haven’t done yoga in a while and was worried about how my body would work. The instructor calmed me throughout and by the end of the session, I was weeping. Cherish seems to lead me to tears. I was overwhelmed by the feeling of peace and the comfort. This feeling calls for a healing haiku.
#haikuforhealing #haikuforhope #commonplacemarvels #cherishment
Reflections on the Teche 
Glad that you are feeling better, Margaret!
Spreading the love – that is what it is all about. Sorry about the picture confusion. I took the original one from a pin on Pinterest and after it was getting so much attention, I became a little nervous about the copyright infringement. This picture was Megan’s senior picture taken by my niece. It was taken in a huge field of sunflowers. And actually, this picture is perfect because of the sunflowers rising with the help of the sun! Glad you are feeling better. I am on the couch with a sinus infection today, but enjoying reading everyone’s posts today. Have a great weekend.
That awful flu has been around some at the bookstore lately. Ugh, and glad you’re much better! Leigh Anne’s post is beautiful, seems like a serendipitous gift for you after this week! Enjoy your Sunday, too!
Margaret, I am one of those who have the distinct honor of first knowing via social media but then, meeting you face-to-face to start a honest friendship. Your work ethic, love of learning, soft voice, beautiful writing, and love for others is a blessing. Leigh Anne honored you in a way that melts my heart-in beautiful words. May you continue to find joy in your OLW. Thank you for the haiku on pranaymana breathing. I had to miss the first session of Gentle Yoga today due to the winter storm so your haiku gives me the chance to reflect and practice.
“…and found love in the Twitter feed”
So sweet.
Sounds like you are surrounded by it.
I’m so glad you chose to write. Your words have encouraged me, challenged me, blessed me. And that awful flu? It wreck havoc last week in my family. Glad you are feeling better!
Smiled when I read Leigh Anne’s post, smiled when read Julieanne’s, smiling when reading yours. Appreciation gives strength.
Our virtual community are the friends that hold me up. I am glad you’re feeling better. Here’s to a healthier and calmer week.
[…] And bloggers connect with each other. Like Margaret says in her post, “Cherishing Celebrations,” […]
So glad you’re feeling better. I can’t wait for you and Leigh Anne to meet in person, but as we all know our virtual friendships are real and life sustaining. What a wonderful tribute from her.