Nitty.Gritty. invitation for you~

First of all, I have to admit that when I re-read my blog posts somedays I realize the depth of my words even more than when I type them out. It's sort of strange, but true. For the record, I don't always talk the way I write. I mean really, I can't recall the last time I said the word "sought" in real life (have you used it in a sentence lately?!), but it totally fit what I had to say a couple of days ago. Just had to note that for the record.
Next, I'm serious when I talk about all the thinking and reflecting going on in my head these days. I think it's partly because of some of you too. You see, besides the comments left each day on this blog, I get several emails each week from readers like you. Old and new, rarely have I ever met any of you, nor will we likely meet in the future. But blogging creates a certain connection. Even as a communication graduate, I'm not sure what to call this relationship, but it's definitely real.
Beth, emailed me a digital scrap layout that she said was inspired by my blog and Teagan. I love it when someone feels led for whatever reason, to share with me their story of how my life has touched theirs. This particular layout (using Rhonna Farrer's Tattoo "something" kit) made me stop and think. I realized how important it is for all of us to be sharing our stories with one another as we walk through life. We gain insight and meaning and purpose when we share the important parts of us with others.
There are so many of you who have left nice comments and sometimes you send a picture or two, or tell me about a product that you bought that made you think of me or my story. You know who you are...you've walked up to the barista at your local Starbuck's and as you say, "non-fat, coconut latte, venti, extra hot, please", you can't help but think of Nitty.Gritty. Right?!
So, here's my latest quirky challenge for you. Drop me an email- nitty.grittyjody@yahoo.com or leave me a comment, on a specific thing you do or say differently in your life because of me and my blog. It doesn't have to be life-changing, but it can be. If you can take a picture of an item, or scrap a layout with some journaling, I will post it here. On Nitty.Gritty.
My hubby's gonna think I'm looking for people to gush about me or get emails that will make all the love you have for me go to my head. This happens to be one of the times in his life he is wrong. =) {Love ya, Chip!} I just think it's a neat thing to see how one person's life can affect another- especially when it's a good thing. So, if you're up to it, I'd love to hear from you.
To get you started, I'll share a couple of ideas. One blogger (Stephanie T...what a sweet lady and we've never met) left comments on occasion, and on the day we marked Teagan's birthday, she happened to be having a party for her own son. She had candles on the cake that spelled out "Happy Birthday", and she took a picture and told me that when she lit the "T", she did it in memory of Teagan. And it just so happened it was the one purple candle in the bunch. Yep...that was Teagan's favorite color. Her email warmed my heart and made me smile that day.
Finally, some of you know that Andy W. and I share a unique friendship. We could sit and sing with him playing his guitar and the two of us harmonizing old hymns for probably a whole afternoon and never tire of it. Besides that, he and his wife have been there for Chip and I since he saw us at the Gaylord ER the day of our incident. Actually, they've been with us in the ER or watching our kids when one of us has been in the ER more times than they care to have been - dear people- and yet they're still our friends. That's how great of friends they are!
Anyway, back to my point. Back in February, I wrote a limerick on this blog and asked everyone to have fun writing their own. I personally emailed Andy and asked him to write a limerick- he's so great at poems and stories, oh, yeah, he writes songs too. Instead of a limerick, he wrote an ode to me. I just seems fitting for me to post it now. I hope he still means every word of it. But really, it's not me. It's been about God and me relying on Him since I was just a kid. But I still think this is a sweet poem. Now, if I could just get Chip to write me something. (hint...hint.)

ODE TO JODY
ITS TIMES LIKE THESE WHEN WE REFLECT
ON FRIENDSHIPS WE HOLD TRUE
OF THOSE WHO MAKE US LAUGH AND CRY
WHICH BRINGS MY THOUGHTS TO YOU

FOR SURE WITH YOU I'VE LAUGHED AND CRIED
I HOLD THOSE MEMORIES DEAR
MY ONLY HOPE IS THAT THESE TIMES
CONTINUE YEAR TO YEAR

I KNOW THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS THAT
HAVE FILLED YOUR MANY THOUGHTS
I KNOW THE BLESSINGS AND THE PAIN
THAT LIFE YOUR DAYS HAS WROUGHT

I WAS THERE THAT DAY YOUR OLDEST CHILD
WAS SNATCHED AWAY FROM YOU
I WISHED SO BAD TO HEAL YOUR PAIN,
AND HELP TO PULL YOU THROUGH

I'VE SEEN YOU GROW THROUGHOUT THE TOIL
YOU'VE GONE AGAINST THE GRAIN
FORGIVING THOSE THAT CAUSED A VOID
FORGIVING THOSE THAT CAUSED THE PAIN

AND NOW YOU DAILY PRAISE YOUR GOD
FOR ALL THE GIFTS HE GIVES
YOU'VE TOUCHED OH SO MANY LIVES
WITH JUST THE WAY YOU LIVE

YOUR LIFE IS NOW A BLESSING
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE
YOUR FAITH HAS REACHED SO MANY LIVES
INDEED IT HAS REACHED ME

THANK YOU JODY FOR ALL YOU DO
AND TO ALL WHO READ THESE LINES
BE GRATEFUL TO HAVE CROSSED THE PATH
OF THIS PRECIOUS FRIEND OF MINE