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    <title>mrs. darcy</title>
    <link>http://virb.com/harleyj</link>
    <description><![CDATA[i'm just a girl.
i'm an emotional adrenaline junkie.
if i ever feel beautiful, my hair is probably a mess.
i like scrabble and French toast and playing in the rain.
i believe in 1 God & love & truth & the goodness in people.
i prefer bare feet to rubber soles.
i'm a compulsive doodler & chewer of gum.
i'm driven by something i can't quite put my finger on.
i believe the birds in the sky fly for me. and for you.
i've learned that stopping to smell the flowers is key.
i enjoy being outside of my comfort zone.
i'm just passing through these parts.
but i'll never forget you.]]></description>
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    <item>
      <title>pinwheels &amp; such</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/harleyj/photos/1388548</link>
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      <pubDate>Sun, 12 Aug 2007 14:51:56 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/harleyj/photos/1388548</guid>
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      <title>http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/sold</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/harleyj/posts/text/230341</link>
      <description><![CDATA[my heart just happens to be where The Word should be...
these words just happen to be where my heart should be:

a lot like being lost;
yet i know where i stand:
bull's eye.
THE STARS JUST HAPPEN TO SHINE
WHERE THE GROUND USED TO BE.
Am i falling?
Or flying?

a lot like self control;
but too much clarity makes me dizzy:
insane.
MY EYES JUST HAPPEN TO BURN 
WHILE TRUTH RUNS DOWN MY FACE.
am i creating a prison?
or being freed from one?

a lot like singing love;
yet i lack the patience to keep it simple:
hypocrite.
MY HEART JUST HAPPENS TO BEAT
WHERE THE WORD NEEDS TO BE.
am i so easily bought?
or sold?

april 20, 2007
]]></description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:50:24 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/harleyj/posts/text/230341</guid>
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      <title>Kelli</title>
      <link>http://virb.com/harleyj/posts/text/152276</link>
      <description><![CDATA[outdoors, along the town's riverwalk, the last orchestra concert of the season began.  
music filled the air.  

i imagined the sound waves bouncing off the water, like skipping stones and then back upwards, finally resting upon the crowd's thirsty ears.  drowning in a blissful ocean of melody was i, when that surreal moment found me.

i first saw her limping from a distance.  a beautiful child that should not be limping.  her silhouette hunched to one side and distorted.  half of her head was shaved.  the music faded slightly.

i wanted to stare.  i wanted to hug her.  i wanted to know what happened.  and i wanted God to heal her.  i said a silent prayer and tried not to obviously look as to not be rude...
but i couldn't keep my heart from staring.
 
i watched as she made her way up the bleachers, finally seating herself by an older man and two younger boys, presumably her father and brothers.  her resting place, also just happened to be across the stairwell from where we were sitting.

finally, the chance for connection arrived, as i caught her sneaking curious glances towards the group i was with- friends from church, family really, and Steph's puppy, Arnold.

i smiled and waved at her.  she returned my wave before lowering her glace, only to be caught looking again a few moments later.  
i was surprised when she mouthed the words, "Can I... ?" and raised one hand, finger extended towards Arnold, the remaining hand gesturing towards herself as if to say, 'bring him here!"  

so bring him there i did.  
after introducing Arnold, and myself, she told me her name was Kelli.  i don't think her father was too happy, but i couldn't not see this child, so i stayed.  her brothers gathered round to say an excited hello to Arnold as well.  

i was barefoot, as i prefer, and Kelli asked me where my shoes were.  i pointed to my flip flops across the bleachers, by where my friends sat.  
she told me she likes those shoes, but she can't wear them.   she examined my face for a moment, before earnestly adding "they hurt my feet."  

the emotional stirring those few words and the look in her eye revealed was much more then i was prepared for-
a near wordless confession to the physical pain and suffering this child had endured.

i felt a stab in my chest.  my eyes fell upon the orchestra, as i strangely realized they were still playing music- but i could no longer make out any sound.  the only noise i could hear, was the beating of my own heart and the flood of silent questions that were sighing to burst free.

i wasn't being nosy, but i wanted her to know she was cared about, and this was the only way I could hug her- with my small conversation and fleeting companionship.   "are you okay now?" i asked...

she told me she thought she was.  after undergoeing six surgeries, the flip flops would not stay on her feet anymore.  
she had a brain tumor that kept coming back.  but it should be gone now.

i could only utter again, "are you okay now?"  
"yes", and a genuine smile was her reply.  

i wanted to learn more.  to know if she believed in God or in miracles- but i didn't want to step on her father's toes.  
instead, i smiled back, "God is taking good care of you, huh?."  "yes," she replied, shooting me a serious side glance.

the levy broke and the music returned as we parted ways.
i made my way back to my family on the other side of the stairs, forever changed by the new sister i had made that day.

]]></description>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2007 21:11:28 -0700</pubDate>
      <guid>http://virb.com/harleyj/posts/text/152276</guid>
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