Week 2.30: Encouragement

Week 2.30: Encouragement is a photo I took at my friend, Bernadette's house. It's a sweet rocking chair with a stripey pillow on it. Simple. Unassuming. Comforting. I was struck by the lines and colors of this piece of Americana welcome tucked into the entryway of her home. It's a little bit of Encouragement in a small corner of the world; I love it.

We all need Encouragement, don't we? And those little unexpected "extras" are sometimes the things that turn the sunshine on in our day. Like the unexpected phone call from an old friend...or an offer of dinner for no reason except to catch up and hang out...or a walk in fresh, spring air...or the fact that someone just gave you a little bit of extra time. Evidence that someone voted for you and your team...even if no one else knew a vote was out.

I've been storing a list of my favorite Encouragements in my cell phone. And for the sake of posterity...and because I think I'm going to get a new phone soon and I don't want to lose my Encouragement I'm going to list some of them here...Advance apologies if you never guessed you'd end up in my blog this way...

"I miss poki (for the non-islanders: out-of-this-world raw fish with sesame seeds and scallions), I miss Kauai and I miss...You!" ~Annie 1.10.06

"Sarah, thank you! You have no idea what that (the fact that I knew he was "the One" for my friend, even when it was in question) means to me! You're the best girl! ~Jaykimbo :-) 2.19.06

"I love you so! I'll call tomorrow. xoxo" ~Tiff 2.22.06

"Girl, I love you and I enjoy our friendship so much and our times together. :-) Love your photos too." ~Schaefer 2.26.06

"I love you, my Sarah." ~Manda 3.4.06

"Confirmation number: 46882z94ek11" ~Annie 8.27.06 (This is an ongoing joke between us...Whenever one of us is in trouble with the other, we leave a message with a confirmation number to reference the offense/issue. Annie started this tradition. I have no idea what I did to deserve this confirmation number...)

"This is out of the question!" ~Schmee 8.31.06 (A funny quote we loved...)

"A whole chicken for $1.99!" ~Schmee 9.7.06 (A funny quote from my dad that we loved...)

"I will be there at 6:45pm. I love you! :) ~My Dista 7.3.07 (I was picking my sister up at the airport that day. I was dyyying to see her and have her in the same state. This was when she was living in Oregon. That was a really rough summer/time. It was good to have her on the way to our family.)

"U make me smile." ~Kyle 7.26.07 (My friend from art school days always seems to know when to send a random text.)

"You are a fabulous individual." ~Schmee, quoting my dad, quoting The Lone Ranger 8.15.07

"You are the apple of God's eye." ~Denise 12.5.07 (I used to work with Denise at a coffee shop in CA. We very rarely see each other, but I love that she sent this.)

"Magic Eyes, I miss you. :'(" ~Schmee 1.13.08 (This customer where I work nicknamed me "Magic Eyes" (much to my dismay) and Schmee got a huge kick out of it. She sent this when she was teaching in Honduras.)

"Super amused car. Racing funny happy hours." ~Schmee 3.28.08 (This is a great example of Engrish that my friend found on the side panel of toy packaging on display in a shop in Honduras.)

"Thank you SO much! It's the best gift box in history. Every precious note and childhood memory-you are the best! Thank you!!! Talk to you Thurs! XO :-)" ~Wahkuna 5.12.08 (This text came in response to the box I sent her when she turned a new decade number while living in New Zealand.)

"I love you so much, Sarah. Thank you for more than words can say. Joey sends his love. Sweet dreams to you too." ~Butterfly 6.22.08

"Hi, I love you." ~Missus 7.29.08

"Aurora Lynn Doty born at 8:53, 7lbs 1 oz. Mom and baby are doing great!" ~Gabe 12.18.08 (My brother-in-law's announcement of my "namesake" niece's birth the day before I graduated from art school.)

"Miss Sarah-I just wanted to say hello-and tell you that your blog has brightened so many of my weeks-your pictures and talent are amazing-just so you know." ~Em Petty 7.19.09

"I would want to be like you! You know what your want and you stick to your guns about your opinions and faith. I love that about you! You are so strong." ~Schmee 10.16.09 (My friend, a teacher, did an exercise with her students about who they want to be like. She decided it would be me. I'm awed and humbled.)

"I saw the updates you made. They are so incredible! I love them!" ~Steph 11.3.09 (a bride whose wedding gallery I had just completed)

"Just reminding you...you are quite a catch!" ~Heidi 11.25.09 (sweet friend from high school I still see regularly)

"Merry Christmas, Friend! Mine was excellent. Hope yours is de-licious too!! Love ya! Xox" ~Wahkuna 12.25.09 (my friend in New Zealand)

Many thanks to all of you who just made it through my goofy blog post filled with texts...Ah, the irony of how much I love the texting. And if you're on the above list: Thank you. For the Encouragement you have been to me in my life. I am so thankful for each and every one of you!!!!