Sep 28, 2014
“I am a creator of things and I can't be allowed to have any responsibility in this world” -Tim Rudman
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“I am a creator of things and I can't be allowed to have any responsibility in this world” -Tim Rudman
What is your definition of love, Shannon?
While we were on the Oregon Coast (Lincoln City) last week, Ashley and I decided to take a little drive to find some tide pools, and had to park our car a ways away. After having a blast seeing the tiny life in the clusters of quickly drowning rocks, we finally took the trek back to our car. As we were getting in, a woman was approaching behind us on foot. She asked us what our windows said, a common question from curious passersby who have trouble reading the car paint. So I gave her the short answer: “It’s our blog name,” and Ashley added “We’re on a road trip.” Thinking that was enough to appease her curiosity, I got in the car. [I was being particularly, I regretfully admit, detached from this woman who clearly was interested in connecting with us]. Luckily, she persisted, and luckily Ashley recognized the opportunity and told her about our love interviews. She seemed so excited to share her definition, so we took the chance to record her! That way, everyone can get a feel for an interview, word-for-word style! This is Shannon’s definition:
“Ok, well, right off the bat when I saw the back of your car and it said “Love one another”, my heart just kinda went zing! And I was hoping that you thought the same thing I did about what .. what… love really can change this world. And what changed my life and changes people around me is when I walk and practice First Corinthians 13 and I believe it’s 1 through 7, the verses. If we all just try it! Just practice that active choice, way of living a universal love, people would be absolutely astounded about how everything changes. It’s a formula from the Creator of the universe. Whether you believe in it or not, I encourage you to please give it a try. Try it whether you believe it or not, and see if it doesn’t just change everything in your life ‘cause it’s really and incredibly, profoundly awesome!”
Ashley: “I love that. And the first time we had talked about it, she had said it was a “practice.” I love that concept, that it’s a practice, that it’s something you are actively continuing to do and achieving and getting better at.”
Shannon: “Yeah! Well, what I actually did was I took and broke down every single definition in there, and then I did a self assessment…”
Ashley: “Whoa! That’s great!”
Shannon: “…after looking up in the dictionary, even though I figured I knew what it meant. I was shocked at how many of the words that I really only knew partially what it meant and I got the full definition.”
Ashley: “What a great idea!”
Shannon: “So it helped my assessment, so I learned where I was weak and where I was strong, and I focused on trying to apply where I was weak, and that even changed things more profoundly.”
Ashley: “Oh I love that!”
Shannon: “I just encourage people to take the love test and try THAT version of love!
Ashley: “The love test! I love it! Thank you so much for sharing that with us!”
Malibeaux: “Oh wait! We wanna give you something!”
Ashley: “Oh yeah, we have a card!”
Shannon was reluctant to pose for the camera, but told us something incredible about herself: she decided, a time ago, to take a trip… her person, one bag, and the road. She is writing a book about her experiences and she gave us her card and her email… we will keep you posted about its publication dates and such as we hopefully will continue to keep in touch with her.
Stay Lovin’!
(Also, if anybody knows how to convert iPhone recordings into Tumblr friendly sound bites, could you message us with you amazing wisdom and we promise to share the actual recorded interview with everyone!)
What is your definition of love, Donna and David?
While we hung out with some friends in Florida, we interviewed them about love! Here it is! Take the time to watch it all!! Love is more complex than you might think ;)
Thanks for giving us a place to stay, making us drinks, taking us out to see the area, and being SO WONDERFUL while we were there!
STAY LOVIN'
What is your definition of love, Kate?
Today, we took our usual trip through the drive thru of the closest McDonald's for a Large Sugar-free Vanilla Iced Coffee for Ashley. I noticed a familiar face at the first window. She'd taken our order for the past three days. Today, she noticed the writing on the car, so we explained that we're on a road trip and blogging about it. Ashley urged, "Ask her real quick!" So I leaned my head out a little and said, "We're asking a few people everywhere we go what their definition of love is.. so, you wanna try giving us yours?"
Her name tag said "Kate." She responded, "Sure, I'll give it a shot!"
"Haha! Cool!"
"It doesn't matter what's between your legs as long as you love the person for who they are!"
We all broke out in laughter.
"Of course, I have more gay and lesbian friends than I know what to do with, but that's just me!"
We laughed with her, and I reached for a high five before we had to go to the second window. We thanked her and told her to check out the blog. Unfortunately, we didn't have any of our handy-dandy cards we made to give her. Oh well, next time!
We didn't have time for a picture, but I have a feeling we'll see her again tomorrow or the next day before we leave Kissimmee! If so, we'll update this post with a picture!
The Gospel According to Mother was written by my grandmother to my mother. At the time their relationship needed some mending. My grandmother reached out through her preferred means of communication, written expression. Now, decades after this was penned, my mother was kind enough to dust it off and share it with me for this project.
Out of all the prospectives collected that day at Dead River Coffee this letter in particular is special to me.Its importance is not only so because it is read by my sister, lent to me by my mother and written by my grandmother; but it is important because it was her, my grandmother, who taught me to appreciate words, write letters and explore concepts. She taught me that my thoughts and ideas were worth pursuing. In so many ways this is a project that allows me exercise the combination of those elements she helped me to cherish so
When listening to this recording or reading this letter, I am able to feel as though the two of us are once again sitting at her kitchen table, reading radical books and the exploring the depths found in-between their pages. I will be pondering the lessons of her Gospel for some time to come.
I and another spent this year's Valentines at Dead River Coffee in Marquette, Michigan. We interviewed passerby's and wayfaring strangers on the topic of "Love". What other's were whiling to share astonished and humbled me. With jaw and eyes wide open I am working towards compiling what I collected and sharing it on this blog. Here is a preview to one of my interviews.
Photoset for anon! :)
please credit if used/edited
