thankful for seattle

Seattle is my kind of town! I'm all about coffee, clogs, and cool weather.

I spoke at Hazelden's Women Healing conference and then got to spend the day with my good friend, Kelly Rae Roberts. I'm feeling so grateful for the opportunity to spend three days surrounded by wonderful women.

On Friday I got to see my friend Ann. She works for Hazelden and is also a felt artist. She surprised me with this precious felted wool chicken. It's made out of recylcled sweaters and I adore it. She has a wonderul Etsy shop called The Lavender Tree! You need to check it out.

The workshops were so much fun. The group was generous and open - we had a good time learning together. During my talk, I shared one of my favorite quotes from the gifted writer and artist, Terri St. Cloud of Bone Sigh Arts:

"She could never go back and make some of the details pretty. All she could do was move forward and make the whole beautiful."

As soon as I said it, everyone got really quiet and you could have heard a pin drop. Once it sunk in, the participants asked me to say it over and over as they scrambled to write it down. It doesn't matter what your story holds, it's one of those messages that hits us all as truth.

I spent my last night with Kelly Rae. We walked to some of the most breathtaking overlooks I've ever seen. In this picture we're standing in front of Puget Sound. We talked and laughed and drank tea then talked and laughed some more. It was good medicine!

As my way of saying "thank you" to everyone, I'm giving away two of Terri's matted prints featuring that amazing quote and one of Ann's felted chickens.

All you have to do is leave your name and tell us one woman you're grateful for today! I'll pick winners on Friday. Have a great week!

Update on Monday, October 26, 2009 by Brené Brown

Congrats to Elizabeth Harper, Stephey, and Laurie from PNN! You all won the wonderful print from Bonesigh Arts!

Congrats to Jodi! You won the lovely felt chicken from The Lavendar Tree!

Comments

[Ronna]

So, so grateful for so many women. How to choose? But today I'd have to pick my sister, Lorri. She continues to know, see, and understand my heart in beautiful, powerful, and subtle ways. And she would say, amazingly, that I do the same for her. How great is that?!?

Ronna Detrick

[Monica L. H.]

Though she will likely not know how grateful for her I truly am... I thank Megan... for my life. Though life is a struggle, I am eternally grateful for her genuine loving kindness that made tough moments possible. And I miss her. A lot.

[dawnfh]

I'm grateful for my mother today. Her birthday was this weekend and we got to celebrate. Then she took my 5 year old for the last 24 hours so that I wouldn't have my hands too full on his day off from school. And tomorrow she is going to come over with 100 hangers so we can arrange my closet. Thanks Mom!!

[kim]

I am grateful for my aunt who instilled in me a love for volunteering and being a stay at home mom. I told her recently that she inspired me to do those things and I could tell by the look on her face how surprised and honored she was to hear it.

[Molly Hoyne | Stratejoy]

Oh, I love that quote. My heart grew still as well.

I am grateful for my sister, Kate, who is always there. What quality-- unconditional love, sprinkled with the occasional kick in the butt and always warm hugs, long walks & support.

[Elizabeth Hartigan]

I am grateful for so many women! I am blessed with amazing friendships! But one in particular stands out, is one of my closest friends who also happens to be an Elizabeth! HA! She is someone who can always see the light even when going through challenging situations. And can help you to see your own light as well. We have been through so much, we share our dreams and our goals, our heart aches, and challenges. I am blessed and I am grateful to have her in my life and someone I can call my friend!

[Jessica]

I too have many women that I am grateful for. But the one that sticks out the most is a woman I met while I was a camp counselor 10 years ago. We lost touch after our 2 summers as camp counselors together, and recently after about 8 years apart she found me- I am still very grateful for her gentle spirit, her abililty to be friend, family, partner in crime, support in the dark times, all rolled into one beautiful soul! Thank you Sarah.

[maryt]

I am SO grateful for my pal- La La- she is my 6 foot tall best peep- she is always there for my 5 foot 2 inch self. While we look funny together I couldn’t do all the things I do in life without her- she is the salt of the earth.

[stephey]

I am so grateful for my mom, Claudette. She is a true inspiration! She is turning sixty next month and has provided my sister and I with unconditional support & love for over thirty years. Claudette is my inspiration. Her humor is witty and at times silly. Her wisdom is to the point and grounded. She enjoys a few cups of lavazza each morning while watching the birds. Claudette will scream with excitement at the sight of her favorite bird - the north carolina wren. In native american culture the wren is a symbol for boldness and will sing from daylight to dark, as if overflowing with confidence. It is a spitfire, and will not hesitate to confront ant threatening bird or animal.The wren is about attacking life with gusto! - This is Claudette! She loves all animals - a true nature child! She has encouraged me to write, paint and sing! She is the muse's muse and I am so lucky to call her mom.

[janet]

I have a best friend named Sheila. We have known each other for 26 years, but have grown very close over the last five. I can be myself, totally, nothing held back with her. I can hide a body with her. We laugh together and cry together. I thank God every day I have someone like her in my life.

[Anna-Marie Still]

No question - my grandmother - hands down the most amazing woman that I ever met. Completely selfless, quiet, kind...amazing Even though she's been gone for 7 years, I still learn from her simply by recalling things she said and moments we shared.

Love the quote....such great advice!

[The Other Laura]

I'm grateful for my sister Christy, who would help me move a body and always believes in me.

[Cathy]

I am grateful for my mother who has lifted me up time and again and is a steadfast supporter of my journey...mistakes and all :)

[rene jantzi]

I'm thankful for my sister; a woman of faith and courage going through divorce after 29 years of marriage :(

[Anj (aka Writergrrl)]

There are MANY fabulous women that I am grateful for, but the one who's image popped into my head immediately was that of the woman who changed my life this year, Sally G. http://sgd25.pnn.com

I could feel that I was meant to take a big step forward this year, at least spiritually, and as soon as I 'met' my glorious new friend in February, I felt the magic. She consistently blows me away with her ability to clarify and illuminate my path - sometimes without knowing. And, as a the good friend that she is, has generously lifted my soul at times when I felt myself sliding down, down, down. The best part is that, while her beauty is unique to my life, her bright spirit and soft touch reach to some of the other most amazing women I know. If I weren't sure it would become cumbersome, I would write my thanks to her each and every day. As it stands, I do it pretty frequently anyway! ;-)

[rebeka]

I'm grateful for my mother. She is a wonderful woman that amazes me every day!

[Davielle]

I'm grateful as ever for my friend Lori. Her attitude as she faces life with breast cancer is awesome and awe-inspiring. Her openness with information and her willingness to share this oft-frightening walk with all of us who will walk beside her is such a gift. And mostly, I am grateful that her pathology reports were all EXCELLENT following her mastectomy.

[Megan C]

I am grateful for Martha. She is inspirational. She won't let me get away with my crap & helps me to be honest with myself. She is a true friend.

[carilyne]

I'm thankful for my mother who passed away just over a year ago. Been making a tribute book and seeing how amazing she was. Her life is a good illustration of that quote. Lots of details that weren't pretty in her life, but she made her life beautiful. I may just have to include that quote on the dedication page. Thanks!

[Cheryl]

I am grateful for my oldest sister, Sandi. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this past spring, underwent treatment for several months, and now waits...she'll return to the doc in 6 months to make sure she's still clean. Last month she turned 60, and her facebook status on her birthday was "Celebrating life today!" Yes! Hopefully she'll have many more today's to celebrate the precious gift of life.

Sandi and I are both very passionate individuals, but have not always gotten along that well. Imagine a first born, type A doer, and a last born, creative, spontaneous dreamer growing up together! Over the years, tho, we've both mellowed out a bit, and today I appreciate her exactly FOR the ways she is different from me...

Here's to you, Sandi...

Cheryl Sweeney

[Carolyn HP]

I am grateful for my fiance's mom, Judy is kind, caring and so thoughtful. We hosted our first Cdn Thanksgiving dinner at our house and she surprised us with Grandma's jello mold that has been a tradition in my fiance's grandparents house for years, with Grandma in a home the past year and his grandpa passing last year, we had a lovely small family get together. I am grateful that she has made me feel welcome as part of her family and is always trying to motivate us to be better, healthier people. It's lovely having my mom still at almost 35 but to have someone else so accepting and loving in my corner inspires me :)

Glad to hear you had a great weekend, I love your blog :)

[Christine G.]

Thank you for that amazing quote! I am grateful for one of my teachers and mentors, Glenda, who loves unconditionally and inspires me to be a better person in this world.

[Deb]

I am so grateful to my gorgeous daughter Casey who turned 35 on Sat. I am so proud to be her mother and now she is my friend.

[tracy g]

I am grateful for my daughter Cait. As she grows into her own I realize that much of who she is what I want to be (when I grow up). I think that because I could never go back and make the details pretty, God gave me something beautiful in her that makes the world a better place. Thanks for the quote!

[tammy g]

I'm grateful to my grandmother who taught me how to sew. Today we worked on a twin-size quilt for an auction for my son's first grade class.

[MonicaMcNeill]

I'm grateful for possiblity, the power of prayer & for the healing that allows me the face the unknown. To take a chance for happiness.

[Jennifer]

I am thankful for my grandmother. She was a career woman with her own real estate business before Betty Freidan even wrote the Feminine Mystique. It was amazing to learn from such a strong independent woman.

[Sarah Craig]

I'm grateful for my little woman, Elizabeth. In 4 itty bitty months of life, she has shown me, more than anyone ever has, how to live in the present moment. She has shared with me complete and utter joy- every gummy smile is still a thrill.

Sarah Craig

[Nadia]

I am grateful for having our family together for thanksgiving. a few came from out of town and it was a nice full house. happy monday! ciao!

[Leana]

I am grateful for my good friend Kate. We came into each others lives at just the right moment. She is strong, compassionate and an all around beautiful human being. I am a better person for knowing her. I am eternally grateful for the perspective and perpetual sunshine she brings to my life.

[Alexandria S.]

I am so grateful for my Mom. She is always there when I call and need to talk. She has shown me what it means to be a loving mother with grace, patience, and love. She is the greatest role model I have known.

[Cameron]

Oh, I'm so lucky to have many to choose from! But when it comes right down to it, I have to say my Grandma. She--more than anyone else in my life--has taught me what unconditional love is. She had her own career as a "beautician" and supported her family through her time as a single mom when that was unusual. She found true love and, with my "step"grandpa, is a shining example of what a marriage should be. She is kind and loving and giving and always assumes the best of everyone. She battles chronic pain and you'd never know it from her attitude. She made me feel adored and loved and WORTH IT when no one else did. I love her so much! :)

[tricia]

i am grateful for my friend carol. ten years ago she was the first person i called to tell that the pregnancy test was a positive and then last year she was the first phone call to say the biopsy was positive for breast cancer. she has been there through the good and the bad, always positive, always with a hand ready to wipe a tear or clap with joy. always there.

[tanz]

I am extremely grateful for my dear friend Charissa who passed away three months ago after being in a coma for a couple weeks following a tragic freak accident involving a simple broken step on her way out to the gym on a perfectly normal day.
I am grateful to have known her, to have had her as a friend, if even for a relatively short time. We met about ten years ago, really became friends in the last five and didn't see eachother or even speak every day, but she was one of those women that I so looked forward to getting to know better and better, and having kids one day and getting old somewhere in eachothers orbit... I loved knowing that she was out there just being her happy, enthusiastic self. The loss to her family, her partner and her lifelong friends was/is staggering and her presence in life was immense, as she quietly followed her dreams and tended to those that she loved without apology and seemingly without regret.
In my own life, on so many levels, I feel like I am still really struggling to come to terms with the fact that I can't keep going back to try and fix the details, that the only way to make the whole beautiful really is to just keep moving forward,,, what a perfect, beautiful quote... so this evening, I am also SO grateful for you Brene : )

[Asha Mills]

I am so grateful for Goddess Leonie, who helps me want to be me. She helped me believe that my path has merit even when, especially when, no one else has walked this way before.

I'd also like to say that at this very moment I'm grateful for you, and for Terri St. Cloud because I had never heard that quote before and it continues to resonate within me.

Thank you!

[allie h.]

I am grateful for my Mom. She continues to amaze me with her kindness and strength through a most difficult situation.

[Leisa Hammett]

I am grateful to Karen Walrond for linking me through her blog, Chookooloonks, to these amazing "lovebomb" women who are my gateway in a blah-blah blogosphere to women writing of substance. Not the least of which is you. So, I'm grateful to you, too. For this post, too. I LOVE that quote! Thank you for sharing. I love to travel and I love landscapes. And, I believe each place has it's own beauty. So it's apples and oranges to me. BUT, if I were pinned down to saying my fave part of the world, that which speaks most to my soul, it would be the Pacific Northwest. And, as for Kelly Rae Roberts, I snatched up a calendar of hers recently. I didn't know she had one out. But I gasped when I saw it. I knew of this artist through her blog, which made it all the more special! I HAD to buy it. Even though I'd gone to the store for a black-and-white photography calendar. And as for speaking for Hazeldon: Wow! Namaste,

[Jodi]

I am grateful for so many. But today I am grateful for one of my foster mothers from my childhood, Carolyn. She taught me so much about the kind of mother I wanted to be. She was kind and loving. When things were going terribly in my young world, she made me feel like a princess. She would make me fabulous bubble baths, do my hair and let me sleep in the "princess" bed. She was a wonderful woman and such a gift in my life!

[Pat]

A beautiful quote ~ thank you for sharing!

So many women have such special places in my heart and life. I think I'd like to honor my aunt Murriel even though she is with the angels now. She was one of my mother's sisters and a total joy to be around! She had 5 kids, loved her home and never learned to drive although she could provide the best directions to anywhere you needed to go. She was always happy, joyful and excited to see me...or anyone that came to visit her. She was a fabulous cook and would always ask what I'd like to have if she knew I was coming. She instilled a love of fresh flowers as she had a beautiful garden that she adored and fresh flowers throughout her house. She was ready to go at the drop of a hat but made you feel like you never wanted to leave her home. I could talk to her about anything without being shamed or scolded and she had a giggle that made you laugh! I could call her after the New Year arrived and she never minded....just that same giggle and a "Happy New Year!" back. She was an example of unconditional love and I always felt it ~ I still do.

[Beth Joy]

I am overflowing with thankfulness for my friend Laura. I dreamed for so long of having a soul mate like her and when she entered my life it was surprising, refreshing and timely. Two years ago during our first visit together, as our families played outside in the afternoon sun, she stood in my kitchen as we prepared food together and exclaimed "It feels like we have so much to catch up on!" It did instantly seem as if we had always been friends and yet we had our whole lives to catch up on! She is authentic, beautiful and inspiring and she "gets" me! We are presently working through "I Thought It Was Just Me"...what a wonderful journey together!

[deb taylor]

I am the most grateful to my mother, Lyn Keil. For it was her who allowed me to paint my walls purple, hem my mini skirt the exact length I wanted to ( against my fathers wishes) and cook whatever dinner I wanted to , even tho I was only seven years old! She always encouraged my creativity, and to this day I AM FEARLESS...because of her!

[karen mckinnon]

I have just found your blog and it is beautiful. Thanks for the lovely quote, it is exactly what I needed.

[Ann]

I'm grateful for so many wonderful women in my life, past and present. And, oh girl, I'm grateful I was able to meet you and call you friend. :-)

Ann
www.thelavendartree.etsy.com

[Cheryl M.]

I am so grateful for my aunt, Mary who shows me that a peaceful life in my future is possible!

[Kim K in FL]

I’m grateful today for my former therapist Michelle. I entered the recovery path on August 29, 2005 after making the decision to enter treatment for alcoholism. While there, my husband left me. When I left on day 29, Michelle was there to be my caring, accepting, gentle yet skillful guide. Over the next 2 years, she not only taught me invaluable skills, but she also taught me to trust my instincts and to value myself. The quote by Terri resonates so deeply with me because it’s what I have truly felt over these past 4+ years of sobriety. I will continue to remain humble in my daily path of sobriety and yet hold my head up high in what I’ve accomplished so far.

[Elle]

So very many amazing women in my life - where to begin? But today, it is my mother who gives - continually - so selflessly. Even half a country away she seems to sense my needs - spiritual, physical, financial - and meet them in beautiful, unexpected ways. I love you, mom!

[michelle y.]

I'm so thankful for my mom, sylvia, who has seen me through thick and thin. She is 75 going on 25 and has so much joie de vivre!

[Laurie Boris]

I'm grateful for so many beautiful, inspiring women that it's impossible to choose just one! But today I'd choose my friend ProComicDiva for giving me a virtual hug and kiss on one horrendous and stressful, three-hankie day. Thank you, Miss Diva, my love! (PNN)

[Pamela]

Grateful everyday for my mother. How did she manage the impossible?

[Anna Lee]

My sister, Mary Frances. She has survived breast cancer, a child being burned by fire and valley fever. She continues to chug along with a great sense of insight - a little wound up sometimes but who wouldn't be. I am blessed to have her.