Tags
Alberta, Calgary, community, Diana Schwenk, dreams, encourage, friends, health, Hump Day Chronicles, joy, living in the moment, Louise Gallagher, meaningful, Relationships, world issues
The language of friendship is not words but meanings. – Henry David Thoreau
On Thursday afternoon I was looking forward to meeting with Louise Gallagher of Dare Boldly.
Louise and I first met offline, through our common passion and work with, and for, people who live on the streets.
Back in those days, Louise initiated a yearly Christmas wine and dine between us – a sacred space of sorts – for us to speak frankly and from our hearts about our joys, concerns and desired collaborative vision for the homeless sector and community living in general.
An open and trusting conversation was born that transcended our respective organizations and the common cause they shared.
And it was Louise who encouraged me to start a blog!
After some hits and misses as to where we would meet (restaurants that don’t exist anymore) we settled on Mannie’s on 17th Avenue.
There we fed our bodies with delicious food and wine and fed each other’s souls with our individual stories and dreams.
I always feel encouraged when we meet up to catch up. Inevitably there is something I am struggling with and saying it out loud and learning from Louise that I am not alone in my struggles, or hearing her perspective lifts my spirit and re-energizes me.
This is the gift of friendship. This is the value of community.
But it wasn’t all about us and our offline tête-à-tête. We talked about the value of our online community, particularly the readers we share in the blogosphere and how your insights and encouragements are a blessing to us.
Perhaps your ears were burning Ann, Val, Julie, Lisa, Elizabeth, Ian and I can’t remember who else!!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Maybe Jess C. Scott summarized it best when she said, “Friends are the family you choose.”
Click here to read Louise’s story on our Thursday meet.
I am so glad you and Louise have each other, Diana, for sacred friends feed the soul! You can just sit and breathe if that’s what the situation calls for, and that would be OK, too, right?!
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Absolutely right Mark! Louise is a breath of fresh air and a loving human being. 😀
Diana xo
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This post is heart-warming. You are fortunate to have such a wonderful friend.
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Thank you Sheryl and yes I am!
Diana xo
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That made me feel all warm and tingly!
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Glad to hear it Julie – we’re in your corner! ❤
Diana xo
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How amazing, Diana! It’s so fantastic to hear about 2 people’s inspiration radiating offline into a lovely friendship! Friends certainly are the family we choose, love that quote!!
~ Andrea ❤
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Thanks Andrea, I like both the quotes! Hope all is well with you. 🙂
Diana xo
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What a great post and I love when online and offline become not so distinct. And that you both talked about others from the blogosphere – as if all friends across town or down the hall at work. Xo
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Thanks Bonnie, I have come to really appreciate my online community. ❤
Diana xo
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Adding my love to all my blogging sacred friends!
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😀
Diana xo
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I am one of those people who feels that online friends are real friends, I know not everyone feels that way but I do
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Me too Jo-Anne!
Diana xo
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Oh lucky BOTH of you!! Two of my favorite peeps spending time together for the good. Love you both! ♥
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Thank you my dear! Love you too! ❤
Diana xo
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You would make a good friend to anyone Diana, online or offline!
Karen
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Thank you Karen, how sweet you are. ❤
Diana xo
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Its so lovely to read about your get togethers! Friends and community of like minds is so special ❤
You are both on my Calgary list if I ever get there 😉
Val x
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Val I hope you do make it out one day, we’ll take you to the beautiful Canadian Rocky Mountains! ❤
Diana xo
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Woohoo!!! 🙂
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I am so grateful for my friends and often wonder what I would do without them
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A good friend is more precious than gold Jensine!
Diana xo
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even platinum and diamonds
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haha Yes. Even that! 😉
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Ten months and I will join you. Would love to share in the stories and dreams 🙂
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Are you going to Vancouver Elizabeth? It’s only an 11 hour or so drive to Calgary! 😉 Maybe we could meet in Revelstoke or Salmon Arm or something!
Diana xo
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Or I could come to Calgary and we could have a Calgary-bloggers get-together! I will keep you updated on my plans.
🙂
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Ok! That would be awesome!
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How lovely! I am so grateful louise urged you to blog; otherwise I may never have gotten to “meet” you. ❤
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So true Jennifer – I am grateful to have met you as well! ❤
Diana xo
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You make my heart smile!
\
Thank you for the gift — of friendship and time shared and our shared journey.
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You’re welcome – the feeling is mutual my friend! ❤
Diana xo
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🙂
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Bill, I almost took pictures of the food and wine (just for you)!
Diana xo
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don’t you think that the sharing of food over friendship always makes it taste better 🙂
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yes and also the sharing of friendship over food. 😀
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So wonderful that you’re “real” friends as well as online friends! As I wrote on Louise’s post– someday I hope to join you for that meeting! xo
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Wouldn’t that be something Lisa? I would love that. ❤
Diana xo
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