Me and Liz
A few weeks ago Sandy at 4 Reluctant Entertainers posted a picture of herself and Liz Curtis Higgs. It made me think of my own picture I have of myself and Liz. Since I posted the book meme yesterday I thought it would be appropriate to post my picture and tell you a little bit about it.
A few years ago I was reading Thorn in My Heart – part of her Lowlands of Scotland series I mentioned in the previous post. It was one of the most moving books I had ever read. I’d read a section and then have to get up and walk around the house, only to come back and read on because I had to know what was going to happen next. Very intense.
Somewhere along the line I sent the author an email telling her how good her book was. The characters, the writing, the story, the emotions… To me it was one of the best books I’d ever read. Before I had finished checking my other emails I received a reply.
This lead to nearly daily emails telling her where I was in the book, what I was thinking or feeling, etc., and always there was a reply within a short amount of time. She was very gracious and kind to “hold my hand” while I read Thorn in My Heart.
When the next book, Fair is the Rose, came out it was the same thing. By the time the third book, Whence Came a Prince, was released, Liz was coming to our church in Little Rock for a speaking engagement. I was so excited that I was going to get to meet my new email friend in person. I told her I’d be there with her new book for her to sign.
My breast cancer diagnosis came just two days before her opening Friday night. I emailed her to let her know I wouldn’t be there on Friday night and why, thinking she was probably much too busy with her tour to actually read the email. But, true to Liz fashion, I received a beautiful email from her expressing her sympathy, offering her prayers, and stating she was looking forward to meeting me on Saturday.
I walked through the doors and found my place in line for the book signing, hoping I’d have enough time to make it to the table. I handed my precious book to her assistant and told her, “I’m Jen, her email buddy”. Liz must have heard me because her head snapped up and she said, “Come here, sweet sister!” and folded me into such a warm embrace. She asked how I was and told me she was praying for me, to please let her know when I could how my surgery the following Tuesday went. Then the lady behind me asked if we wanted her to take our picture before I even had a chance to ask her.
*** VANITY PAUSE ***
I don’t know why I have no bangs. My forehead decrees I must have bangs. Where were they?
*** VANITY PAUSE OVER ***
Liz Curtis Higgs remains one of my most favorite people on this earth and I can’t wait to see her again. Not only is she a great writer, she’s a wonderful speaker. I wonder what my hair will look like the next time… Hopefully I’ll have bangs.
I hate to admit I’ve never even heard of her. I may have to look into some of her books ~ I’m always up for a “new to me” author.
That is such a tender post! How great that you became such sweet friends! I’m totally interested in those books now, I’ll have to look for them.I wanted to leave you a comment about my recipe blog. I don’t think we talked when I posted about it on my blog.I have a recipe blog & have asked my blog friends to email me their favorite recipes they’d like to share. It’s lots of fun, to share & get ideas from all these other moms. (I easily get into cooking ruts)Anyhow, I was thinking I’d do a Holiday Traditions series. So, if you have any Holiday Tradition recipes you would like to share,I’d love to get them & post them.If you do, would you mind also telling why & how it became a family tradition.I thought it would be fun!! Thanks so much! I think you’re fabulous!!
I’m such a dork. I didn’t leave my email & couldn’t remember if you would have it.It’s katealger125@earthlink.netHope to hear from ya!!- Kate
Hi! Don’t you just LOVE Liz? She is a beautiful person, and I love the way she calls us all “sis.”Fun to see a pix of you, too!Thanks for sharing with me.
You look so beautiful!
That is really cool that you got to meet her and that she is such a nice person. She spoke at a church right near my house recently and I was so disappointed I didn’t go to the conference.
i wish i had more time to actually read something on paper, and not on line. but she sounds like a wonderful person & an awesome author. it’s amazing how technology & the internet help develop relationships. ps – you look gorgeous with or without bangs
Your blog and your approach to life is heartwarming, Jen. You’re also a total babe… 🙂
What a great story!Bangs? Who needs bangs?
Your smile is coming from your heart and your soul. We meet the people we need in our lives at the time we are meant to meet them. You were blessed to meet this wonderful lady!!
What a great story! I’m so glad I came over to read it – it was truly touching. She is a very nice lady. Have a good weekend – take care.
What a wonderful story, it is really sweet and special. I will have to check out some of her books, she sound like an amazing person.You look beautiful!! Bangs or no bangs!XOXO
Jen, Everytime I open my google reader and find a post from you I know it will be worth reading. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. You are a VERY beautiful Gal inside and out JEN and I mean that with all my heart. Glad to be your blog buddy.
BTW, I will have to check this author out.
Look how beautiful you are! Your insides match your outsides. I’ll have to check out Ms. Higg’s work as I’m unfamiliar with it. She sounds like a lovely person.
Gasp–it’s the real Jenster! You’re a pretty cute chickie! I’m always surprised when I meet a Christian woman who doesn’t know Miz Liz’s name or work. Her fiction and nonfiction are awesome–I just finished Unveiling Mary Magdalene, which has elements of both, and she leaves no stone unturned. She’s an incredible researcher and writer, a fun speaker (available on dvd!), and amazingly gracious to boot. She has a true and passionate heart for the things of God–a fine example for us all.
I haven’t heard of her either, but will definitely check her work out since it was endorsed by probably my favorite blogger ever.I think you look great in that picture! Your forehead is far less bangworthy than mine. 🙂
You ladies are too kind. TOO kind! But thank you! :o)And her books are well worth the time.
I LOVE Liz Curtis Higgs (even moreso now after hearing that story!), especially her Bad Girls of the Bible books. She is a very gracious gal.You are adorable, Jenster, and you look great with or without bangs! BTW I loved your “vanity pause” in the post, lol!) You have a very beautiful smile, and it’s easy to see why your hubby is still taken with you after all these years, what with beauty, brains, a good sense of humor…writing skills, mothering skills, decorating skills, pig-tongue purchasing skills…It’s fun being your blog buddy, and I’ll always be thankful that we met over at Dee’s. Your posts always brighten my day.
I can’t believe you’re smiling at all considering what you just found out. You are a great person. And can you FORCE Todd to write a new post. 2 months without a post is horrible. Give us something!
I am so behind on my comments–very busy writing incredibly insightful blog posts of my own…HA!!!!–but I have to tell you that YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!! You have a FABULOUS smile!!! Bangs or no bangs, you have nothing to worry about!!! I remember you telling me this story about Liz before…it’s a great story. Thanks for sharing it again!
I’ve also met her; she is awesome!btw, I completely agree with the above comment! C
I am a fellow bangs sufferer…they never show up when you really need them. Your blog often makes me laugh and laugh. Thanks.I am officially de-lurking today.
What a wonderful story. A friend when you really need one is worth a million, isn’t it?
I am so late in commenting. I love her books! I have read Mixed Signals over and over, it’s my Christmas time book. I haven’t read Thorn in my Heart, even though it’s in our home library… I need to add that to my TBR list. BTW – Your beautiful, even without the bangs! Wow! =)
I love your forehead!! You are so beautiful! You look exactly like how you write – lovely. 🙂
Beautiful picture!! What a sweet story and Jen, you’re gorgeous!