Recent posts by Lynne of Practical Paralegalism and Sheila of Style Agent 909 in their amazing ruched / gathered dresses reminded me of this one. On a day that was grey inside and out, I had an important good-bye to say, and wearing gathers and rays felt fitting.
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| scarf: Charming Charlie necklace: a gift from my mother, similar to this one dress: Northern Reflections, consignment (new with tags) |
I was really glad to have the opportunity and ability to express my appreciation to a person whose presence in my life over the past 10+ years has made an incalculable difference. It can be an oddly challenging thing to do when it's not structured or built in to the kind of relationship one has.
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| shoes: Sam Edelman Kendall wedges, worn here |
Have you had - or missed - opportunities for honourable leave-takings with helping and service professionals in your life? I'm thinking of the particular nurses, teachers, receptionists, doctors, hairdressers, physio / massage / mental heath therapists, lab technicians, mentors, delivery people, etc. we come to know who go about their days with a basic orientation of kindness, respect, and dignity, and sometimes only a glimmer of what a difference they make.
Though the connection was less primary than the one just ending, and a couple of years have passed, the pharmacy staff who prepared my IV meds and supplies for 10 months, and the delivery person who brought them to me every week when I was so ill, come to mind. Those people were awesome. While I'm pretty sure I told them so at the time, it's something I imagine they don't get to hear enough of: that how they do what they do matters so much.
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| watch: Stuhrling Tuskegee Skylancer |
Feeling extra gratitude today for everyone who worked with me to (re)build this life I have, and those few who stuck by me through it all. Further to the theme of making the invisible visible, I'm participating in Visible Monday over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.
See you there.
Always stunning in grey!!!
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You are so dear! xo
DeleteWhat a thoughtful, generous post. Yes, those who help us deserve recognition. I'm glad you extended your gratitude toward those in your life.
ReplyDeletePretty outfit. Stylish and hip. Love the shoes.
Thank you, ALly - sometimes the smallest bit of kindness makes a world of difference.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! I was very moved by your appreciation of what others have done for you, and as you say, many of them were probably not even aware of their contribution to your welfare.
ReplyDeleteIt brings to mind a little something that I will tell you about my Gorgeous Huband. He doesn't have a very glamorous job, he just delivers the mail to businesses and as such, he comes into contact with receptionist and "front line" staff. He has taken to giving out mints when he brings in the mail, and it really does "spread sunshine" to an otherwise mundane interaction. People say that they miss him when it is his day off, and I can well imagine that they do. Isn't it amazing what the tiniest of gestures can do?
Much love from England,
Rosemary from www.foreveronthecatwalkoflife.blogspot.com
Thank you for this lovely story introducing your husband, Rosemary!
DeleteI think it's so important to acknowledge people who have made a positive difference in your life, especially when they are "just doing their job". Not everyone in the helping or service profession provides the same level of kindness and caring, and when you are in need of their help, for them to go the extra mile makes such a difference. I love the shaping on the dress; you look very elegant!
ReplyDeleteSo very true - likewise, an appreciative acknowledgement of someone's efforts can go a very long way. Thanks, Shelley!
DeleteCongratulations on your restored health and new life! May you continue to live in health and love, Amber. I'm sure that, at the time, you got the message across to your service professionals how much you appreciated what they did. Stunning outfit. The entire ensemble seems so well thought out in how you incorporated each element. As usual, you're wearing killer shoes. Love that!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely best wishes, Susan!
DeleteSo beautifully said, Amber. There are many, many people who have made life bearable/enjoyable through hard times. I don't think I have thanked them enough but I am going to change that.
ReplyDeleteYour dress is superb, wonderfully fitted and flattering. And the scarf, sigh - so fine.
Yes, when we're vulnerable it matters even more. Thanks for all your kindnesses, Patti.
DeleteI try to thank people in my life as much as possible (mostly for putting up with me!).
ReplyDeleteLovely dress - new, with tags? Crazy! And Northern Reflections is usually such...ugh.
Ha! I'm truly so grateful that anyone puts up with ME!
DeleteSheila, I know - wondered if anyone would pick up on that! NR is a store I'd never go in for myself - think of it as boxy, ultra-conservative "old" clothing I am very happy not to have to wear. This was a surprise!
Beautiful and touching post. You are so right!
ReplyDeleteMuch love going your way xxx
Same to you, dear Sara!
DeleteI am nodding my head and shedding a tear in recognition. So beautifully expressed. I'm sending out a big hug to you and to all those who keep you chugging along.
ReplyDeleteConnie*
Thank you Connie - may the universe send some kind folks across your path too!
DeleteYou look quite statuesque in your ensemble today which somehow seems appropriate for your meeting of thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pao - I was surprised how moved I was around this particular ending, and wanted to surround it with the kind of honour and respect it deserved.
DeleteYou look fantastic and I adore the shoes .. but more than that, it's always wonderful to read gratitude posts. I think it's so important. One of my first blogs was named 'grateful heart' and I used to write five items daily that I was/am grateful for ... you really start to take notice of things in your life and start being more grateful and aware.
ReplyDeleteThanks for a wonderful post Amber and for sharing.
Thank you Wendy for stopping by, and sharing these gorgeous thoughts! Love the idea of "grateful heart."
DeleteYour grey ruched dress with scarf and jewelry looks especially beautiful today, knowing that you dressed for an important good-bye. Thank you for the reminder about the importance of gratitude and how it increases not only the happiness of the recipient of the such expression, but the giver as well. I'm happy to hear that you're healthy today, and wearing those fabulous celebratory shoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judith! It is my incredibly good fortune to have regained as much capacity and health as I have. I so appreciate your reflections, and the way you yourself practise the spreading of joy.
DeleteI love your grey dress, almost as much as I love the sentiment in this post. I've struggled with pretty severe anxiety all my life. It's taken nearly 22 years, but what a feeling to finally have people willing to accept my anxiety and help me overcome it. I feel incredulous that people finally *believe* me, and care enough to help. I know people in the US don't like low-income health care, but without it I wouldn't receive help. I thank everyone I can at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear courageous Megan. It's an amazing feeling to be validated and supported, and to be able to access care which meets ones needs - I am thrilled to hear you have this!
DeleteYour ruched dress is of course amazin' and awe-inspirin' and those shoes...wow. Needless to say if it weren't for style bloggers I would have no idea shoes like that existed in the world. I love y'all, have I mentioned that I love y'all?
ReplyDeleteAmber, I can't help but think that you've likely made such a difference in many peoples' lives, too. But you're right, when I think about all the people who've, as Sheila said above, put up with me and my general state of OCD squirreliness, or just helped me through experiences I didn't know how to navigate myself, I hope I'm better at saying thank you than I was when I was younger and took so much more for granted.
Though not in the habit of speaking for others, I can safely say that the love is entirely mutual! For me on the style front, being able to see all shapes and sizes of women dress their particular bodies beautifully has helped in ways I couldn't have imagined on my own.
DeleteAnd man, I cringe at how much I used to take for granted, and think it is so lucky that we have the capacity to learn to do differently!
You look rather sphynxy to me in this, a She-Ra - or perhaps a phoenix given the context. The grey is strong, granite, forged, wonderful! I am so glad you tower now in those fantastic platform shoes, no less. I know what you mean about unsung heroes. Their little touches make such a difference in our lives. Thanks for drawing attention to them. I can feel your honour to them in your words.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Melanie - you have a way of being altogether thoughtful, heartfelt, and creatively present that is straight-up genius. I do particularly appreciate a Princess of Power reference!
DeleteAmber, thanks so much for the love.
ReplyDeleteAs a medical professional, I can say first hand that it's so appreciated when we get a sincere 'thank you' or when our hard work and/or kindness is acknowledged.
All the tucks, gathers and pleats make that dress look very interesting. I'm really drawn to those details. I always have to take a closer look to see how the maker/manufacturer got it that way. And you just can't go wrong with gray; less serious than black, but just as sophisticated.
Oh Sheila, thanks and much respect to you! That red dress of your really knocks it out of the park.
DeleteWhat a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteThis outfit is so serenely beautiful. The rays on the necklace pick up the gathering in the dress to make a lovely outfit. I like it alot!
Thanks, Debbi! Your picking up on details like that is part of what makes your style so fantastic.
DeleteA beautiful message, Amber.
ReplyDeleteThe combination of elements and colors in this outfit are beautiful as well.
Thank you Lisa for the lovely feedback!
DeleteLOVe this fitted dress! GORG! And the necklace - STATEMENT! It says BEAUTIFUL! Always love your pairings!
ReplyDeleteXOXO
-Daisy Nguyen from PS BANANAS fashion blog:
http://psbananas.com
You look very beautiful in the gey dress, and I'm madly in love with your shoes!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how a simple thing like saying Thank you to someone can be harder than apologizing! I imagine afterwards, you're a changed person.