A Collection

7/29: There have been many moments to write about this week, but not the time, so once again I’m collecting them all here in this one post.

First and foremost I’m grateful for my brother.  I wouldn’t be sitting here today writing this blog if not for him.  When I logged into WordPress yesterday my dashboard displayed rows and rows of error messages.  I was unable to post anything.  My brother, who set up and gifted me this blog, sometimes has to provide support.  Within hours of emailing him the problem was solved.  Thank you!

I’m grateful for the swimsuit store in one of my local malls and even more so for the young woman who assisted me.  I pass this store regularly rolling my eyes at the mannequins in the window adorned with small scraps of fabric and string.  This store can’t possibly carry anything for a women of my age or with my body weight and shape, I’d say to myself.  I have several beach vacations coming up and really wanted a new swimsuit, but after an unsuccessful attempt at finding a suit online and frustrating trips to my usual “go to” department stores I was ready to give up and just live with my $20 one-piece Speedo purchased at Costco.  I remembered the the swimsuit store and decided, what the heck.

The nicest young woman approached and asked what I was looking for.  Usually I shy away from salespeople, but in this moment I was just tired of wading through store racks and thumbing through online pages looking for a suit.  And, I did in fact have an idea of what I was looking for — I wanted a two-piece with a tankini top.   The colors were stunning, the suits were beautiful, and she knew the product line.  It reminded me of a similar experience I had years ago shopping for a dress for two weddings that I’d been invited too.  I allowed myself to be helped by a nice and knowledgeable salesperson.  Not all customer service is equal, but in both cases I’d won the lottery of customer service.  I left with more than I intended to buy, but was school girl giddy with pieces that I would not have selected on my own.  I love my new bathing suits and cannot wait to wear them.  By the way, I glanced at the mannequins in the window with a different set of eyes as I left the store.  One was wearing a one-piece suit that would really look great on me.

Another place I pass regularly, at least three times a week for as many years as I can remember, is a Unity Church tucked away on a what looks to be a beautifully landscaped piece of property.  I’ve always known it was there, the signs on the street at the driveway entrance advertising a meditation garden and bookstore always catch my eye.  But it wasn’t until recently, when I learned this property had a labyrinth, that it started calling to me.  Now every time I drive by I look down the long driveway hoping for some kind of glimpse of the treasures within.

I confess, I haven’t investigated until now because it’s on church property and I find this a little intimidating.  While I do believe in a power greater than myself and a connection with that power I am not nor have I ever been, a church goer.  But something this week inspired me to go and I did.  What I discovered was a beautiful serene garden depicting a mystical interpretation of the stages of creation.  Many spiritual traditions from around the world were represented in one form or another.  And I just learned from their website that everything in the garden has meaning – the water, the plantings, and the color of the flowers.  This makes me want to go again and study it more.

What touched me the most was the wishing tree.  A big tree with wishes written on paper hanging from its many branches.  I wish my father would find a job, for my continued sobriety, to be able to take a stand, for good health, for recovery.  The most heartbreaking of all, to be different than I am.  I was, and still am, humbled by these wishes.  I feel the need to honor the stories of these people and hope I do so by reading their wishes.  I send them a wish of my own, for peace to find its way to their hearts.

I’m grateful for the discovery of this magical garden.

And finally, I’m grateful for my mom and her enthusiastic support of my creative journey.  Yesterday she brought over a framing coupon with instructions to frame something of mine, like the background piece from my earlier post.  You’ll get a whole new perspective on your art when you see it in a frame, she said.  It’s time.

Photo: The labrynth in the meditation garden