Monday, December 12, 2011

The Gift of Lilacs

Her writing style is chatty and sweet. She writes with such earnestness and sincerity, you know she is exactly the sort of person who you would want by your side in a crisis. You just know she would listen, she would console and she would uplift without ever seeming preachy or smug. She is the genuine article.
Her story is fascinating. She's done so much, been so many places, but she's got this quiet humility about her. A simplicity of speech and authenticity that you can't help but love.

She is a woman of faith. She and her family have been putting that faith in action since she was born. This is a comforting thing in a world of half-truths and instant gratification. To know that there are people who live by their principles, no matter what, no matter where. Who have the patience to see which bend their journey takes next, and to do it with grace and good humor.

She reads my blog, so she must have a sense of humor. Or a lot of grace. I'm not sure which. She bestowed my blog with the Versatile Blogger Award, which is an honor. But the larger honor is that this woman would read at all. I am graced by her quiet presence. In fact, I didn't know until yesterday that she even knew I existed, even though I stop by and watch the pretty snowflakes fall on her blog.

Her screen name is Social Lilac, which even though I don't know her personally, seems perfect. Delicate, yet surprisingly strong flowers that can fill a whole house with the fragrance of their sweet presence. Instead of following directions (and including 7 tips for dealing with me and listing my favorite bloggers in no particular order) I will, instead, pay it all back to her. Because I feel a strong connection to her and to her story and I respect her for seeming to be a lot of things I am not.

So when you get a chance, go check out Papa is a Preacher for a dose of good sense, good grace, humor and light. And snowflakes.

**Update: I just discovered this morning via a comment on CdnKaro's blog that Larissa the Lilac is 17 years old. Seventeen! Now I am at least seventeen more times impressed with her.**

6 comments:

  1. What a lovely description. I'm sure she will be touched by your kind words. Off to read now...

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  2. I love her snowflakes...and all the other stuff, too.

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  3. I don't even know what to say. I'm touched beyond words! I have no idea how to ever thank you. I am so so honored! I just, I don't even know what to say! A thank-you seems so inadequate. Yet thank you. Thank you a billion times over. This post made me blush and tear up because honestly, I wish I was all that. But I'm not really. I'm so glad you enjoy the snowflakes, and I love reading your posts which often bring chuckles and giggles.
    Thank you so much for this.

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  4. @ Larissa - No thanks needed, but if you feel you must, you can thank me by continuing your beautiful blog.

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  5. I went and checked out her blog and yes, she's a wee one. ;-) Larissa, your blog is beautiful and sweet. Keep it up. Both of you!

    lograbla

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Thanks for reading and taking the time to say hello!