This photo was taken at the closing plenary of BlogHer08 and I’ve barely covered the event at all. There are so many moments I’d love to tell you about: readings by bloggers whose words hold incredible power; one by one they reveal intimate moments of sadness and joy, anger and hilarity. The words, drawn from their posts, are the clearest evidence of the power of this institution, not yet five years old and already a gigantic force for good in the lives of the women who have come here. So many more.
We’re all on our way home now; to Austin and Sacramento and Virginia and Manhattan and Minneapois, energized for another year, ready to write and comment and commit ourselves to that which we create. From these two days we’ve learned about traffic and writing, activism and art, gender and age tribalism, friendship, sisterhood and the joys of San Francisco. What we gain here informs the rest of our year: makes us wiser and funnier and more determined. And really, whatever I would have written had it not been for Sabbath obligations and general exhaustion boils down to that. So thanks Elisa and Jory and Lisa (and Jill and Mary Margaret and Kristen and Asha and Erin and Sarah and Devra and Jill and Kari and Beth and Tekla and Catherine and the other Catherine and Morra and Nicole and Liz and Kelly and Jen and Julie ) and all the other beautiful bloggers who, when we’re all together, raise the roof of whatever building we happen to be in, and also – every one of our spirits and our hearts.
Cynthia – I bet you hate it when people say this – but you are such an inspiration – I can imagine living and doing things just so I can think, “Cynthia would be so proud that I did that!”
Thank you for everything you offer.
What an amazing thing to say! I loved meeting you – it was a high point of my conference; you are no “average bear” as we used tosay (If you never watched Yogi Bear…well never mind) Anyway you are special and smart and GREAT to be with! So we both have good taste, I guess…. Have a great time the rest of the summer.
Just lovely Cynthia. You said in a paragraph what I said in an entire rambly post.
Cynthia, thank you. I still remember the moment I met you at BlogHer06, and I’m thrilled that still manage to connect each year.
Deep thanks to Liz and Julie for those kind words. Two of my heroines and with good reason. (And get those tow truck guys big-time!)
Cynthia, it was amazing to meet you and I hope you won’t mind if I follow up with questions in a few days. You are who I want to be. Seriously. It must get tiring being adored by all of us but you are just too cool. Talk to you soon!
Your “best friend”, Michelle.
Michelle I am blushing down to my (dyed) roots. Wow. Here you are this amazingly witty and gregarious woman saying this to me. Thanks and right back at you….
Loved reading your generous take on Blog Her 08. And loved seeing you again and feeling your enthusiasm for these Blog Her conferences where wonderful, wonderful women meet to share life experiences and the blogs we love. What a terrific weekend.