The Long Way Home
I'm sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting for my new plane and gate assignment. It's always nice when they tell you that your plane will not be able to make it to Birmingham. And then you wonder, how many times they've thought that and just didn't say anything.
Hooray for anxiety! My sprite doesn't seem to be helping with that. Damnit.
I can't get home soon enough. It's a mix of hormones and missing my daughter - but I'm rather weepy. It didn't help seeing all the amazing cute kiddos at Blogher, or listening to Q's voice on my voice mail.
Don't get me wrong. I'm happy to exchange diaper changes and meal time anyday. But being away, even for 3 lovely days and 2 glorious nights, is rejuvenating.
Hell. It's fucking fantastic.
I feel like I can do 14 loads of laundry, cook 3 hot dogs, and sit quietly for any number of naps without one complaint.
And, I am reminded that our work as mom bloggers is extremely worthwhile. That our writing of our stories - however we do it, in whatever style or voice we choose, is powerful. And meaningful. And necessary. And that regardless of status or popularity or readership, we all have something to say - and that was truly valued this weekend.
Meeting new and old bloggers, those on my bloglines and those yet to find themselves there, was extremely inspiring - not only as a writer, but as a mother. The connections with women - the ability to share my stories, and laugh about things that no one else really gets - made the trip worth it.
And my sadness about leaving my blog pals and friends is made easier knowing that tomorrow, I'll pop on my bloglines, and read their stories (and yours too) just like I do everyday.
That's comforting and encouraging.
Perhaps more than I ever knew.
--
Mary Tsao of Mom Writes has some great photos of Blogher if you're interested in checking them out.
Kristen, I am a loser. Total loser. Totally gnarly loser. Big fat loser, too. I'm a totally big fat loser because I couldn't sit down with you at BlogHer and bask in your mightiness and utter loveliness. Please come to NYC for the marathon - a train ride away! - so we can eat cupcakes together.
It was an honor and pleasure to meet you. I send my love and aloha.
xoxox
Posted by: GraceD | July 31, 2006 at 02:26 PM
Hanging out with you in "real life" pretty much made my weekend.
I adore you.
Posted by: tracey | July 31, 2006 at 01:04 PM
i missed out =o(
I'm so there next year!!
Posted by: Maniacal | July 31, 2006 at 12:29 PM
I've had such a blog-crush on you for so long, it FLOORED me when you spoke to me about my picture. No one has called me pretty in a long time, with the exception of my husband, so even though that is such a small thing, I was so glad you said it - it meant alot to me considering my crap-ass self image. Thank you for that.
I cried last night while telling Daren everything. I was overwhelmed, inspired and felt all the love of women I admire - including you Kristen... you are so incredibly amazing and I was so happy to meet you. I wish it could have lasted longer so I could have really sat down with you and had a good long talk.
Posted by: Karen Rani | July 31, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Well said! It's nice to be a part of a "movement" and community...even if I didn't get any pasties.
Posted by: Jenny | July 31, 2006 at 11:34 AM
It was great to get to meet you. Everyone I showed the chocolate wrapper had a great laugh over "Now with More Nuts" and "It's hard to bitch with you mouth full."
Posted by: Lady M | July 31, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Captions, ladies, captions. Puleeze.
Posted by: Kvetch | July 31, 2006 at 09:01 AM
Glad you had a good time at the conference and I'm ready to shed a tear from reading what you wrote and I wasnt even there. I saw a few flickr photos and you all were gorgeous!
Posted by: petite mommy | July 31, 2006 at 08:21 AM
Drat, I can't put in a link. The picture is in my Flickr stream from Friday. I love it!
Posted by: Mary Tsao | July 31, 2006 at 01:13 AM
First, well said and I agree 100%.
Second, I thought I held it together pretty well at BlogHer and the few tears I shed I quickly wiped away with the napkin from my drink. But what's up with today?! Is it PBD (post BlogHer depression?). I was telling my husband about the conference, and I choked up and sobbed like three times while we were at lunch. The waiter probably thought we were breaking up or something. And I was getting the kids. hehehe.
Anyway, this is the best picture of you, Izzy, Jennster, and Liz. You women are so beautiful!
Gah, not to mention smart, sexy, intelligent, witty, cool, hip...
Posted by: Mary Tsao | July 31, 2006 at 01:12 AM
I'm so glad we got the chance to meet, and I agree with everything you just said. Well, except that I'm weepy because I'm still in San Jose and won't get to see Cordy until tomorrow.
Hope the remainder of your trip was safe and uneventful!
Posted by: Christina | July 31, 2006 at 12:46 AM
Oh thank god I'm not the only one moved to tears now.
Posted by: mothergoosemouse | July 30, 2006 at 11:34 PM
I'm just weepy because I'm tired.
Right?
Posted by: Mom101 | July 30, 2006 at 09:56 PM
(sniff)
Miss you already, but, yes, such comfort in burying my head in your words.
Posted by: Her Bad Mother | July 30, 2006 at 09:09 PM
It was fabulous to meet you. I truly believe that you and Izzy were separated at birth. I am glad you are rejuvenated. I am feeling like curling up with my arms around my knees and sucking my thumb and rocking.
Posted by: Suebob | July 30, 2006 at 08:37 PM
Hope you made it home okay. It was great to get a chance to meet you.
Posted by: TB | July 30, 2006 at 07:51 PM
Have a good trip home, sweetie. Blog buddies never have to say goodbye!
Posted by: Asha | July 30, 2006 at 07:16 PM
Awesome. I'm glad you got what you wanted out of the conference - in meeting great women and in the rejuvination.
Posted by: Dee Dee | July 30, 2006 at 04:38 PM