I was returning Sunday afternoon from a remarkable connection experience at the Word Shark Writers’ Conference in Newark, Delaware, with several women, all writers, who had in common that we’d each worked with editor Karen R. Sanderson, the Word Shark. We had crossed virtual paths, but had never met in person, and in the two-and-a-half days that we spent together (sharing ideas, resources, and war stories, as well as enjoying four talented presenters), we had a chance to get to know each other. I can only describe the experience as magical, because far from being just a gathering of women writers, it was truly a gathering of kindred spirits (more on this in a later post).
So the power of connection was on my mind when a song came on the radio I hadn’t heard in years: “Love Can Build A Bridge,” sung by Wynonna and Naomi Judd. Here is the refrain, but I hope you’ll watch the video below and hear the haunting harmonies of these two wonderful voices.
Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don’t you think it’s time?
Don’t you think it’s time?
( Full lyrics here) *
I sang along, tears streaming down my face, tears of both joy and sadness.
Tears for the exquisite and simple beauty of the message.
Tears for the bridges my writing friends and I had built over the weekend.
Tears for relationships in my life whose bridges need some shoring up.
Tears for the brokenness of mankind.
The world is desperate for bridge builders, my friend, and “it all begins with you and me.”
“Love Can Build A Bridge”
This song was written by Paul Overstreet, John Barlow Jarvis, and Naomi Judd, It was originally sung by the country music duo The Judds.
Belonging: The Ultimate Connection
Sharing stories with storytellers from different walks of life is even better in person than on the printed page. I loved getting to absorb everyone’s real voice at this live writing meeting. Thanks for sharing the tales and building bridges together in Delaware!
Jennifer, thank you so much for stopping by and leaving this wonderful comment. You were so gracious about sharing your knowledge and resources, and your presentation on “Writing for Good” inspired us all to dig deeply to get in touch with the answer to your opening question, “If you could change one thing in the world and know you could not fail, what would it be?” That’s a great one for anyone to consider, whether they are writers or not.
I was tearing up before I even watched the video. I am so fortunate to have found so many wonderful friends. The internet is so great that way.
I’m glad I followed through with this (I had doubts, numerous times). It was an experience I will treasure always.
Next year in Minot! Just kidding. 🙂
Karen it was YOUR vision and guts and legwork — not to mention (as I did in my snail mail note to you) your being the kind of person to attract such cool people — that made the magic of the Word Shark Writers’ Conference happen. I’ve had the “kindred spirit” experience with a very few individuals at different times in my life, but never several other people at the same time (eight, because I have to count Kerry and Phil). Let’s hear it for the power of connection!
I joined my tears with yours as I read your post and listened to the song. Yes, I felt so extremely fortunate to meet YOU and the other writing women who somehow connected despite the fact that we all have crossed different bridges in our past…and present. All I know is that I’m so happy that you and I crossed a bridge literarally and figuratively to meet each other in Newark, DE (who woulda thunk?) and enjoyed that magical experience.
I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything, Pam, and there’s no doubt in my mind we’ll be Comrades of the Keyboard and mutual supporters as long as we both shall write :-).
Absolutely. I love being Comrades of the Keyboard, and writing friends forever. <3
This is absolutely beautiful, Elizabeth. Thank you.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Lydia! I was really slammed by the message of this beautiful song.