Bittersweet.
I look outside my studio window as I write, viewing a great bounty of lush green growth.
Trees, green grasses, flowers, an abundance of life that is breathtaking in its simplicity and rustic charm. Several Amish families in open, black buggies pulled by elegant dark chestnut colored horses have passed by on the road, their children wearing straw hats in the bright morning sun.
I am blessed.
I look over at the watercolor painting I am working on with two swans I photographed on our river last year on a perfectly gorgeous June day. It is amazing to me, that I have access to a river, to swans, to green fields, the canopy of trees, toads, our grand willow ... too much to catalog even if I had a lifetime to do so. The visual stimulation to me the artist is sometimes overwhelming in scope. And yet, somehow I push through the abundance of subject matter and find something simple to create.
Yes, I am blessed.
Our hostas are amazing, yet again. I don't think I will ever cease to be amazed at the overflowing abundant green beauty of the hosta plant and the ease with which it is grown, managing itself with perfect timing and expanding affluence year after year. My husband and I planted the hostas all around the house four or five years ago and by now they come back each spring huge and just so lovely I can hardly stand to contemplate it. I am eternally grateful for the the hosta.
Our antique tree peony had a bit of a misfire this year. March was unusually warm, then winter temperatures came again and many plants became confused as to what they were supposed to do. The tree peony sprouted three buds very early on, but then the very cold weather in April gave her reason to take some more time off. By the time things warmed up all she had to show for the year was the three buds. They opened a few days ago, some two weeks early ... very noticeable for a plant the opens her blossoms exactly like clockwork year after year on Memorial Day weekend.
I am not complaining about the three blossoms -- they are as extraordinary as any tree peony blossoms ever are. Last year we had, I believe, something like two dozen blossoms so I am merely noting a rather drastic difference.
For quite some time my freedom to create, whether it be knitting, needle felting, writing, or painting, was restricted by happenings in family and in life. Life changes much as a river ebbs and flows and I am finding much time these days to do all of the creative things I love so much to do. I am an artist, and when I cannot carve out the time and peace to create it takes a toll on me spiritually.
However, I am also an eternal and almost annoying optimist so even when I get down about now being able to create I know things will change I will be able to create again, so I remained hopeful even if a bit sad. And now, here I am with plenty of time and peace for my creativity. My studio is like a chapel or temple, my place of religious retreat where I find comfort, meditation, spiritual room to fly, peace to contemplate and pray.
So many blessings brush my cheek as their misty truths cross through my mind: 50 acres; four seasons, Canada geese enjoying remnants of last year's corn in the field, this year's Sincere Pumpkin patch, the most wonderful and dear husband, two children to love dearly, a precious granddaughter, three crazy happy dogs, wind, rain, snow, sunshine, water, autumn, rivers and streams, a home, a cottage, more friends than I can count, you my reader, biscuits, laughter, the promise of fresh fruits and vegetables affordable and within easy reach at farm markets all over the place in our area, swans, ducks, song birds, wild flowers, paint, fiber, memories ... you get the idea.
I am blessed.
My title today is bittersweet, because with all that I have to be thankful for (and I have only mentioned the tip of the iceberg in terms of the many blessings in our lives) is all so very bittersweet because my father, my dear sweet friend, has prostate cancer. He was diagnosed with it many years ago and has done a great job with help from my mother in keeping it at bay.
Together they have done a great job with that.
But today, my father needs your prayers. And my mother too.
Please.
They are truly two of the dearest, most loving people you can imagine and they have done much in their lives in service and kindness to others. They have earned the universe opening up today and enveloping them in a great big, comforting and loving embrace.
Your prayers will help.
Love you Dad and Mom.
~firefly
