A Declaration of Inspiration

This week I met a lot of people whose work I love; first at a reading at Powell's and then at Little Winter this weekend. Of course, it was awkward at first. Knowing someone who doesn't know you is humbling. I always have to fight the urge to play it cool, like a real hip art chick, and not say anything.

But, it is so important to tell people how they inspire you. I think, at the base of it all, connecting with people is why we all started doing this.

It was important to tell Stephanie Cogdon-Barnes (half of the team that published of A Year of Mornings: 3191 miles apart) that I sent her book to my best friend who lives in a different city.

... to tell Abby Powell-Thompson (the photographer behind Abby Try Again) that her pictures helped me see all the beauty in Portland when I first moved here and didn't really feel like this was my home.

... to tell Lauren (at the little things we do) that she's encouraged me to pair black and brown more adventurously in my wardrobe.

... & hardest of all, to tell Nicole Krauss that her book helped me in a time when I felt like no one else understood the kind of deep sadness that accompanies an otherwise happy existence. To tell her "that part of me is made of glass" too, even if it was through tears.

So, I hope you all make a point today to tell someone who may not know you that they are important to your life, none the less. Write an e-mail to an author, or comment on a blog you read anonymously.

If writing teaches us anything, it's that we have an infinite amount of power in our words, if we can just be brave enough to use them

(photo) from sally of Shim + Sons, who I had the pleasure of sharing a few good laughs with as she greeted at the market. Yet another person who inspires me, especially with her sparkling, news-anchor worthy, personality