Friday, July 25, 2008

amazing encounters (part 1)

I met Grover! Sesame Street had a suite at the hotel that was hosting the BlogHer conference. They were promoting their new web site, which my son loves. The real Grover and the real Abby (she came after my Sesame Street time but she's really nice) were present and anyone who signed up could take home a DVD of herself on Sesame Street!

The atmosphere in the room was absolutely giddy. And I lost count of the number of moms who laughed as they insisted, "I'm telling them that I'm doing this for my kids."

Which is exactly why I did it. I swear.

I have to say that I am struck by this photo. Can you tell how happy I was right at that moment? Seriously, meeting Grover turned me into a giggling groupie.

I need to tell you all about two other amazing folks I met when I was in San Francisco. And neither had anything to do with blogging or the conference.

I arrived in SF on Wednesday evening. I didn't have my first meeting (an orientation for BlogHer speakers) until 3pm on Thursday, so I spent the earlier part of that day playing tourist.

On my walk back from North Beach to the hotel, my eye was caught by a store with some funky looking clothes and purses in the window. I am really not much of a shopper but there was something about this place that just spoke to me. Inside, I met Megan the designer, who was working away at her table as I browsed.

I tried on a gorgeous jacket (which looked great on me. The online photo doesn't do it justice. And the in store price was cheaper, too) and decided to justify it as a birthday present to myself (August 4th is not that far away...).

Martha and I chatted away as I browsed. Now, I have no idea how this came up but at some point she mentioned menopause. I told her that I had gone through menopause at 38, due to chemotherapy (not the kind of thing I generally tell a complete stranger).

Then Martha told me that she has had Stage 4 thyroid cancer that she has been living and working with for many years (I not absolutely certain about the thyroid or the number of years. I was just so stunned by this revelation).

I told her that I am Stage 4, too.

We hugged. And we looked at each other, a little in awe.

You wouldn't guess that either of us had cancer. We both look pretty damn healthy. Better than healthy.

I floated out of the store, so buoyed was I from this encounter.

And I will always think of Martha, hope and inspiration when I wear my beautiful jacket.

I'll tell you about another amazing encounter tomorrow.

7 comments:

Magpie said...

i loved your panel - i can't put a finger on it, but in some ways it was a high point of the conference for me.

i don't have cancer, i've not been raped, i haven't been to jail - but somehow, the panel got to the core for me - that blogging is about community. period.

i didn't realize that you were still in chemo - good luck to you.

Anonymous said...

Laurie, the picture is great! I'd really like to see a better picture of you in your blog's sidebar. The one there now doesn't do you justice. You look fabulous!

jacqueline said...

is this on flickr? cause i wanna 'fave' it! fabulous. simply fabulous indeedo.

nonlineargirl said...

I really enjoyed meeting you and talking about how the hard parts of our lives do not have to define us.

Buying the jacket was a very good idea - pending birthday or no, I think people should buy things when they make them feel good.

Blondie said...

You look fantastic! Super healthy and happy. Dorothy showed me a video of Grover talking to Little and I squealed with happiness. I love Grover!!!!

angela said...

sweet martha. yes, i have those encounters too... whenever i manage to escape my house. isn't that wonderful and sweet? like an unexpected super sweet cherry? or strawberry? or grape? when there not quite in season! savory!

:)

angela said...

sweet martha. yes, i have those encounters too... whenever i manage to escape my house. isn't that wonderful and sweet? like an unexpected super sweet cherry? or strawberry? or grape? when there not quite in season! savory!

:)