Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Fragments from the Frio

I'm still floating on the experiences of gathering with a bunch of writing people in beautiful Texas Hill Country last weekend. These are some of the things I remember.

The deep green invitation of the Frio River.

A heron flapping past the cafeteria window at breakfast.

A wide-ranging, warm conversation over bedtime-snack cobbler after a concert.

A loaf of bread at each table every night.

The shrieks and hugs of friends who hadn't seen each other since last year, or longer, or who were meeting face to face for the first time.

A conversation with a new friend, in our kayaks atop the Frio River.

The utterly enchanting toddler.

The tireless and well-put-together women in the office, up before dawn and up past bedtime.

The communion of late-night conversation.

The comforting envelopment of a gentle rain.

The single women who come not to retreat, from busyness, but to soak up contact with other people.

The vibrations in the old hymnals as we held them and sang.

The balms of the Blue Hole.

Ashley Cleveland's fuchsia guitar, and the beauty in the curve.

The dignity and grace of a woman who fell in the river twice and kept her glasses on.

The lightness of not locking doors and not knowing much farther into the future than the next few hours.

What I remember most, though, is every person who sat across from me or beside me in the fellowship of the cafeteria table and shared something vulnerable and true. Everyone's a geode once you crack them open. I'm so grateful for those inner gems we got to see, and show.


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I was asked, often, something I normally go months without being asked: "Do you have a blog?"

An old, dormant one that never really achieved liftoff. Have a new one under construction.

Let's put this on the old one and toss it out there and see what happens. And if you are one of those folks I met by the river last weekend, hi, and thank you.


11 comments:

  1. Loved this reflection Laura and those well written sentences that made me feel, taste, see and smell the retreat. It was a pleasure to meet you. Hope it won't be the last time.

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  2. Oh, Laura, what treasure, "an embarrassment of riches," a weekend of heavy cream conversations you can sink your teeth into, new friends, amazing beauty, incredible music, wonderful speakers and workshops, and beautiful laughter bubbling up from every corner. Treasure. All treasure. A brilliant fore-taste of Heaven! Thank you for these words and the deep blessing of meeting and getting to know you. :)

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  3. LOVE this, Laura. Can't wait for the new blog - but I'm likin' this one right here. Loved getting to know you a little this past weekend and your list is gorgeous, especially that wonderful image of people as geodes. Perfect. Thank you.

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  4. Thank you all. It was wonderful to meet each of you. What a beautiful weekend in so many ways. Peace!

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  5. I love this. Love you. It feels just like the canyon — warm and easy and rich with something beautiful I can't quite put my finger on. And the geodes. My goodness, girlfriend. I'm so glad you're blogging.

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  6. Yes. Geodes. So, so glad we got to meet.

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  7. Love reading these adjective rich sentences to describe my "home" for the past 28 years. Thanks for coming and being a witness to the blessed world that's Laity Lodge.

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  8. Yeah for blogging! And yeah for your writing!

    Amanda

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  9. You put me right back there. What a joy to meet you, fellow deep see diver.

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  10. Love your way of "caring for words". Glad you were able to experience this. Swimming in the Frio is on my bucket list. Can't wait to get to know you better at the Glen....

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  11. Looky at you! All blogified and legit!

    Thanks for your beautiful pictures and recollections of that weekend. I love to see Laity through other people's eyes, especially those who are new.

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