Wednesday, February 18, 2015

A letter

Speaking of music...

Sometime around 9 or 10 years ago (who remembers these days), I was talking to my friends on RMS (HGTV's site Rate my Space for those that don't know) about this somewhat new thing called a 'blog', where people showed off pictures of their homes. I started looking around to see what they were talking about and although I thought it was kind of a neat thing, I didn't really see what the big deal was. We shared pictures all day long on RMS, so why would I jump into this?

Eventually I found blogs that had beautiful pictures AND stories. Not quite the same as just sharing a picture and then just talking about it. And still, nothing really changed my mind about starting one, but I kept looking anyway.

That was until one day, I came across a blog that changed my mind and my world.




There was nothing else like it.

It was magical.

That sweet music came on and I found myself reading post after post, soaking it all in. Eventually, I came across a letter that she wrote to her lovely old home.

That was the moment I decided to become a blogger.

Not only did I fall in love with Daisy Cottage, and everything this sweet woman wrote and took pictures of, including her Miss Maggie, but also the music... oh the music....

The first song that comes on is a dedication to her dear father and it has stayed with me ever since that first day.

"Stranger on the Shore" by Ackerbilk.

The post about it pulled at my heartstrings.

It took quite awhile for me to finally comment on her blog, but I finally did it, and then one day she commented on mine!

You would have thought the biggest super star in the world had noticed me, and in my eyes she was.

She still is.

Eventually we became friends.

She even let me guest post on my birthday :)

You have no idea how thrilled I was.

But, that was long ago and she no longer writes on Daisy Cottage. She has moved onto a new venture on a beautiful blog called Imagery by Kimberly.

The words, the pictures and the music are there as well, and once in awhile everyone gets a peek of her Dear Daisy Cottage that I fell in love with, all those years ago

It seems that no matter where she writes, there's still magic, but I think that's because she carries it with her wherever she goes ;)


Now it's time for me to write a letter of my own, to the one person that inspired me in the beginning and still does to this day.


Dear Kim,

Thank you so much for being the sweet soul you are and taking me under your wings all those years ago. I know it may seem silly, but you changed my life. Reading your sweet words, brought me sunshine every day, and then hope and comfort in days that were sometimes very dark.

Even after I left, I sought comfort through your pages, your pictures and your music. I never really left YOU. I was just quiet for awhile. I'm so sorry for that.

You have a gift, my friend. It brings joy to everyone you touch with your magical pictures and words. I have never known anyone quite like you and I don't think I ever will again. You have a light that shines very bright and gives everyone so much love. It doesn't matter if it's a new girl, like I was or an old friend. You never treat anyone any different. It's just how you are.

Like I said long ago....
  • "That hankie is like you and your blog Kim. In the middle of all of the other beautiful hankies, it's the one that stands out and makes you feel at home."

    I love you, my sweet friend. May you always shine bright and bring joy to everyone for as long as you can, but mostly, I hope that you get back all the love that you've given to everyone you've ever come across in this strange, but beautiful little world.
  • Love always and forever,
    rue








57 comments:

  1. How wonderful! Lovely to be able to see pictures of your previous home from your guest post too. Onwards and Upwards, but never forgetting the past! xx

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    1. Never forget the past! Heck, I live in it LOL I embrace the future too though ;)

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  2. I know. I love her, too. I still visit Dear Daisy Cottage; it's just so beautiful and that song ...

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  3. Oh, what a dear post! I know I fell in love with Daisy Cottage too when I saw it and loved Kim's blog. I loved seeing your old house again and I know y'all put in a lot of work on it and hopefully another family is enjoying all of your work. Reading your posts reminds me again how I've missed you! You cute little thing.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia :)

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  4. What a beautiful letter to Kim. I fell in love with Daisy Cottage as well. I was fortunate to create a very special mosaic birdhouse for Kim several years ago....

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    1. I know you did! I remember that beautiful birdhouse :)

      xo

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  5. Dear Rue,

    I found your letter above to me early this morning. It was still dark outside. I read it. And I cried. I finished my coffee and went to find Papa Goose and check on his babies. I came home. I had another cup of coffee. I came back here and reread your letter to me. And I cried.

    You will never know how serendipitous the timing of your beautiful and incredibly sweet letter is for me. It is such a God wink, if you will. You will never know how deeply you have touched my heart. And I understand SO VERY MUCH the "quiet." Heart friends never leave.... heart friends are forever. Even in the dark and yes, even in the quiet.

    Home is where our heart is.

    To know that no matter what - wherever I may roam - I will always be home with YOU is precious. And the most beautiful tonic for my soul.

    YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. AND I LOVE YOU.

    Thank you Rue.

    A million times over and then over again.

    Thank you.


    Kim

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    1. (((Kim))) I hope you were smiling through those tears. I know I was when I wrote this yesterday :)

      It must have been a God's wink, as you said, because yesterday, I suddenly felt the need to let you know how much you mean to me.... how much I think you mean to a lot of people.

      And yes, you are always in my heart and in my home.

      I love you very much, my heart friend.

      rue

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  6. We must have all started blogging about the same time Rue because I also loved Kim's blog. I was inspired by her blog at the time to paint a little yellow cottage and titled it "Daisy Cottage". Isn't it amazing how we can inspire each other and draw close to one another even when we live so far apart? God's wink indeed! Thanks to you Rue, Kim, Penny, and so many others for your kindness in what can be a very tough blogging world.

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    1. You did? I would love to see a picture of that painting, Catherine.

      It can be tough out there, but thank God, we all stick together ;)

      xoxo

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  7. I just found your "new" blog through a comment you left on another blog. I remember your first one and missed it when you left. Kim was my inspiration to start blogging so many years ago and I still listen to her music on the original Daisy Cottage blog, it brings back simpler times. It is a different blogging world for sure but there seems to be a resurgence of blogs without ads, the return of the side bar of friends and soft music. Beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you, Patty! I'm so glad you found me again :)

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  8. What a beautiful heartfelt letter to Kim. She is very lucky to have you as a friend. I found your old and your new blog through Daisy Cottage. I'm very happy about that.
    Have a great day Rue

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    1. I think I'm the lucky one, but thank you Jen. And thank you for still visiting me :)

      I hope you have a great weekend!

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  9. I totally agree with you about Kim and Dear Daisy Cottage! That was one of my favorite blogs and Kim is such a sweetheart. I now follow her on her new blog. What a beautiful letter you wrote to Kim - I know she will love it.

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  10. Without a doubt, Kim has been an inspiration to many. She (and Daisy Cottage) holds a special place in my heart too. Her original blog was one of the first blogs I stumbled upon about 8 years ago. Not only did I sense she was a real and genuine person with an extraordinary kind heart and soul, I was completely enchanted with the bright, cheerful colors she uses in Daisy Cottage. In fact, I was totally in love with the red walls of her office--so much so that with Kim's encouragement, I decided to paint my bedroom red, which was REALLY stepping outside the comfort zone for this pastel loving girl! (And speaking of RMS, my humble little bedroom with the red walls that were 100% inspired by Kim, ended up making "Room of the Month" in RMS' on-line newsletter!)

    Since Kim and I are practically *neighbors," living probably no more than 30-40 minutes from each other, I've always hoped to one day have the pleasure of running into her somewhere like Goodwill, Hobby Lobby, or the Fancy Flea!

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    1. I hope one day you get to meet her, Shari :)

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  11. Such a beautiful letter to your friend.

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  12. Our life encompasses the present, the past and that is so often what makes our future .......

    Nice post to read, thanks.

    All the best Jan

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  13. That picture of Daisy Cottage is the most perfect little cottage. I would love to see the inside. I'll have to pop over and see if pictures are still up. Will also visit the new sites. Thanks for sharing.

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  14. What a touching post. I have never visited this blog, but I am on my way now. What a sweet and special letter to your heart friend. Have a blessed and beautiful evening and Friday!

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  15. There is something very special about Kim. Me and the girls just love her. What a nice letter you wrote her, Rue.

    ~Sheri

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    1. She inspires me to be a better person, Linda and I just love her :)

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  17. Thank you for sharing your beautiful and heartfelt letter. How important it is to the world to lift one another up with friendship and kindness.
    Thank you also for visiting my very new blog. I am so honored to be included in your old and new friends. :)
    Sarah

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    1. Sarah, that's what blogging is supposed to be about. Besides, I'm already waiting to see what you post next ;)

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  18. RUE! I can't believe you mentioned Dear Daisy Cottage! Kim was the first blog I ever read, ever commented on. I loved her awesome yellow home and her writing and amazing pics....but it was her dollhouse that got me! I even sent her a tiny itty bitty china bunny for her dollhouse for Easter one year. I still have her emails to me.

    I loved your letter to her. Kim is such a kindred spirit, and I absolutely wept and wailed towards the end of her blogging days when her little goose ducklings died, do you remember that?

    I am glad you rekindled me to her other venture, I lost that info and never went back to find it. Now, through you, I have.

    What a wonderful post. Thank you. Hugs.

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    1. I remember that too Michele :)

      I'm glad you found her again.

      xo

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  19. Beautifully written! I love her blog so much and she is such a precious soul... I'm glad you wrote it for her so maybe she can know what she means to you and so many others.

    Blessings,
    Amy JO

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  20. Hi Rue!! I am so very, very happy that you are blogging again!! My world of blog has taken a huge back seat to "life" right now, but I still manage a weekly post just so I won't totally drop out as so many have done. This post just brought tears to my eyes, cuz like you, Dear Daisy Cottage was one of my very first blog loves!!! She has such a gift with words and pix! Thank you for reminding me of "the beginning" for me, too!

    I have to tell you I am over the moon in LOVE with that amazing house of yours!! OMG...I love all of the architectural features and your lovely collections of furniture and decor!! I spotted the door chimes right off the bat and just gasped!! Something ya just don't see every day!!

    I must spend the time to read all of your posts and catch up on your life!!! It's been a very long time....and I'm so grateful for the reconnection!!!

    Have an awesome weekend!! L, Dana

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    1. Oh Dana.... you have no idea that you were still among the lovely friends that stuck it out. The best thing is that you haven't changed a bit. I have always loved your blog and you.

      xoxo,
      rue

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  21. I will check out the link after catching up on the post before this! :)

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  22. Now I want to go find the Old Daisy Cottage blog as well as the new one! Just that pretty yellow cottage alone draws me to it. And reading about your relationship with Kim blesses my heart since I've experienced the same thing with a few special friends through blogging. And isn't that the absolute best thing about blogs!

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    1. If you click on any of the colored words in this post it will take you there, Dewena. I know you'll love it :)

      It is the best thing about blogs. I think people have lost sight of that.

      I'm glad I found you :)

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  23. Isn't it amazing how we can find kindred spirits through blogging? Other women who we immediately connect with and find so much in common with and come to share our hearts with so easily? This was a very loving tribute to your friend, Rue. Love the name of Kim's original blog. xxx ~ Nancy

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    1. It is amazing, Nancy and I've missed it so much. It's nice to be back with my old friends and new ones like you :)

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  24. Rue, it seems like so many, many years ago that we began blogging. Kim's precious blog was one of the first ones I ever read. Reading her blog was like HOME to me, too. I love the story behind her music. Her words, her photos, her spirit, her sweet soul have captivated many of us. It is sweet tonic.......And Kim is so special to me. As you may know, I was blessed to spend a day with her at DDC when I met up with my boys after they drove from California to Florida in June 2008. Jordan had to report to his new base at Cocoa Beach and Spencer and I had an awesome day with Kim and precious blogger Laura (Lallee's Cottage). It was a day I will never forget. Both are near and dear to my heart - then and now.

    Thank you so much for sharing Kim. We love her and we love YOU!

    I miss the old blogs so much! A much simpler time it was...and it wasn't that long ago.

    hugs always,

    Becky

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    1. I remember your visit to see her, Becky. I was so jealous! lol I wish I would have taken the time to do it when I lived on that side of the country.

      Love you too, my friend.

      hugs back always,
      rue

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    2. I just now read this reply from you, Rue. Maybe someday you can make the trip back to meet Kim. She is a soul sister!!!

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  25. Dear daisy cottage was my first blog addiction too. The house, the words just spoke to me. Then I discovered your delightful blog when you started. I will say again, I am so happy you are back. Xo

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    1. Thank you, Stacy! That was so long ago, but lately it doesn't seem like it. I'm glad to be back too and happy that you found me :)

      xo

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  26. I also adored Kim's Daisy Cottage blog and that sweet music. I loved when we all had music playing on our blogs and it was all very simple and innocent. Blogging has evolved so much, as it should I guess, but I'm glad I experienced those first precious days!

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    1. I was just thinking about this very thing. It's mind boggling that music became unacceptable, worse than pop-up ads/videos. I agree that it was a special time, those early days, and I miss the magic.

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    2. I agree with you ladies! Nothing beats the old days of blogging...which weren't really that long ago. I miss the originality of those days, too.

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  27. Shortly after I started blogging a little more than three years ago, I bought a book called 'Blogging For Bliss'. Perhaos you're familiar with it? Kim's blog was featured in it, as well as many others. I visited most, if not all, of the blogs in the book, but the only one that stuck with me, that I was captivated with, was Kim's. Something about the way Kim writes, the way her photos are filled with depth and love, brought tears to my eyes more than once. I was devastated when she moved on, but later learned she had another blog. To be honest, I rarely visit, and I never comment, and I'm not sure why. How strange is that?!

    It didn't surprise me when I learned you two are friends.

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  28. Wow, I too followed Dear Daisy Cottage, thank you for the link to her new blog, can't wait to visit!

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  29. Aw, Rue! What a beautiful letter of love and appreciation to a friend. I think that all of us have been inspired by someone in blogland that urges us to put our best foot forward without ever even saying a word directly to us. I am so glad you formed a relationship with Kimberly. I started following her new blog but was not part of her blogging world when she had the Daisy Cottage blog. I hope you have a wonderful night-thank you for sharing a piece of your heart here today. xo Diana

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