Abattoires and Atheists

This is just the coolest thing ever. I received a very thoughtful and greatly appreciated message from a pretty cool friend of mine. Although I don’t inherently write for other people (unless they’re paying me), to know that people appreciate what I do means the world to me. I’m not the most gifted writer, but I always write from a place of sincerity and I can only hope it gets across. 

I won’t share this person’s name because I did not ask for permission to do so, and I know they read my blog. But I just want them to know that I really really do appreciate it (and I hope they know it goes without saying that if they don’t want this shared I will take it down post haste).

And before you scoff and say “ohh, that egomaniacal Bailey. She just wrote this herself to praise her own greatness while looking in a hand mirror and and admiring the deep gunmetal blue of her eyes”. Well—you’re mostly wrong. We all know I don’t write this well.

Click through to read the message.

This may seem odd, but I quite like your facebook posts (you are quite prolific in the fora of new media, I must say). Subconciously, I think it may be one of the reasons that I continue to log onto facebook these days. In contrast to the updates of most (even those I hold quite dear) that often constitute little more than current activities, your updates are - without fail - either humorous, insightful, mysterious, or some combination thereof (with an “all of the above” option frequently checked). I admit I frequent your blog (Abattoirs and Atheists - even the title checks off the “all of the above” option), and find the searching nature of your voice to be something of an invitation to the deeper places of you. (I’ve even looked at your father’s blog because of a link off of yours - he’s quite a fellow). Thank you for sharing. In truth your words are quite a refreshing reminder that to be a searcher through life is both more honest and more interesting than one who thinks they’ve reached their destination or don’t care regardless. 

And it’s not just that your blog and other writings explore the grey between the extremes, but that in some subjects (music is one that sticks out) you recognize that white is actually the makeup of the full spectrum of visible light, and that the in-between is not just the most nuanced, but also the most vibrant. 

Again, this may be an odd message to read, but I figured that I’ve taken much enjoyment from following you electronically without ever really sharing my appreciation of what you share. I also remember you writing that your holiday seasons are spent alone (but that it isn’t a sad thing - and I also agree that the holidays aren’t inherently sacred). Sad or no, and whether this time is sacred or not, solitude is a bit of an odd position to be in in our culture that overwhelmingly treats this time as one of fidelity and family and faith. And I know what it means to feel apart (though this is often a joyous thing), so I just wanted to say that I really appreciate the thought and energy and care you put into just telling people who you are.