I hate having to justify friends as “blogger” friends or “in real life” friends. There’s a presumption that connections made through blogging carry less weight. That’s not true.
About 10 months ago, I decided to go to a blogging convention because I wanted these friendships to be more real, not only for me, but for onlookers. I wanted the bonds I’d made to get the respect they deserved from an overall cynical world that just doesn’t get it and be surrounded by people, if only for a weekend, that did.
Enter Anissa.
She didn’t know me from Adam (well, she probably knew I didn’t have a penis- she’s a sharp one), but she still offered up a space in her room at the Sheraton in Chicago to a completely unstable, insecure, unknown- like myself.
The first time she e-mailed me, I was having a pretty shitty day. I felt completely incompetent as a wife and mother and shed a lot of tears that day. Her words were comforting and she didn’t dismiss my feelings. In fact, she sent me a link to her Oprah appearance that just aired that day. The topic was how moms and women, in general, feel overwhelmed and that we shouldn’t be so tough on ourselves.
She generously invited me to join the writing team at AimingLow.com. Flattered doesn’t begin to describe how that felt. There are few times in my life where I have been so honored to be a part of such immense group of amazingly talented women.
I truly believe Anissa’s words, humor, friendship and compassion being sent into my life at that time was no coincidence.
When I met her in Chicago, I felt like I already knew her. Though I’d been following her writing documenting her daughter, Peyton’s, fight against leukemia where she combined painfully profound, humorous, and real emotion, it wasn’t just that. I don’t think she has ever met a stranger. Her warmth, kindness, and exuberance is magnetic- and woah- those boobs!
I am honored to call her friend- blogging and in real life. Only a real friend would post such a horrid constipation face picture- I know she would appreciate that!
Last night, my friend, our friend, suffered a massive stroke. She remains in the ICU. There is no stronger fighter in the world I know- so stroke- you picked the wrong woman to mess with.
Please keep her and her family in your prayers.
If you would like to send something to Anissa and her family, we have set up a P.O. Box.
860 Johnson Ferry Road 140-184
Atlanta, GA 30342
I don’t know Anissa but heard about her stroke on twitter, and have since visited some of her sites and viewed her clips.
She seems like an amazing person. I will be praying for her and her family.
Thoughts of peace, healing and strength coming Anissa’s way (and yours, too!).
i am so sorry, tena. despite your ‘lowly’ title, you girls are a strong, tight, awesome group and i know that anissa will fight like hell.
Praying along with you darlin! So sad and she is an amazing women who I know will pull through!
[...] friend Tena (of whom, would give a kidney for me.. she told me so) roomed with Anissa at Blogher this year and [...]
Shit. I haven’t been here in months and have missed your sarcasm. I’m so out of the loop and then I learned today about Anissa when I finally took some time to go thru a zillion emails. I didn’t make it to the Type A Mom Conf and was really looking forward to meeting her. We exchanged some funny emails prior to that and I instantly loved her style.
WTH is going on with this….someone needs to tell the doctors to fix what’s wrong. I’m sad…this is a young woman with children and a husband……ugh.
I’m rambling. I hope you are doing ok.