surfacing the dream.

…there are days
where we are in the depths of the water.
above we can see that crisp warming light that dances on the surface.

there are days….
our weighted limbs carry us
as the lights path shines even closer

there are days…..
the burn of the day pushes
and then the breaking of the water
slides against our damp brow.
we gasp to find the breath, that one breath
that promises to put the center back in your day.

there are days….
that sweet center is found.

i am home.
after a week with new gorgeous, creative, happy,
silly – fill me to the brim – chicks.

as i sit and think about my time at the
YOUR STORY retreat, all i can do is take
in that breath and then slowly, slowly exhale.

yes, it was that good
yes, i fell in love with each of them
yes, i did dishes, painted, wrote, giggled and cried.
yes, i even panicked when the bacon caught on fire.
and yes, i soaked it all up.

as a mentor, my job is to teach. i am new to this. i am
loving each step. i am learning where my gifts lie. and
i learn from each participant. i learn that i am not alone,
less than or crazy. i am simply me.

from the fabulous meredith winn, i learned about my
truth and a little about hers. i soaked up hear wickedly
funny humor, her kind caring way. i simply fell in love
with this girl. i wanted to put her in my pocket and
bring her home with me.

from the amazing steady ali edwards, i learned
that passion is about the choices i make. that when
i truly choose what is best for me – that this is where
life begins. i have to say, i was so nervous about meeting
her. i don’t know why. probably because she has a big
job and i let that worry me. she is real folks. she knows
how to break the ice with a hug. i love hugs. i simply fell
in love with this girl. i wanted to put her in my pocket and
bring her home with me.

from my girl liz lamoreux. well what can i say. we made
it through another. i can’t thank her enough for trusting
me and inviting me to be a mentor at her last two retreats.
she has taught me how to find my words, which allows me
to slow my head down and while i am still practicing this, i
feel it coming with a simpler flow. how i love giggling over
latte’s and pastry’s, running towards the waters edge as the
camera snaps and taking in the pacific northwest.  i simply
love  this girl and i thank her for giving a place to rest
my head when i visit.

from the retreaters  i learned about their own paths, fears.
what each face daily as mothers, business woman, daughters
and friends. from each story told i soaked in the joy . the beauty .
the passion and the truth. i simply fell in love with each one
of you and i  have tucked you in my pocket and carried you home.

oh….almost forgot. the sweet, kindred jennifer. from you i learned
that you were just as i expected. a brilliant shining soul. thank you
for taking such amazing care of each of us. and don’t worry, you are
in my pocket too. one day you will take me for a spin in that sassy
bus. wink.

when i got home tuesday. i couldn’t sleep. i laid in bed with
my eyes peeled on the dark ceiling and the words above ran
through my head. so i hopped out, and decided to run up to
the studio to find some paper to jot it all down before i lost it.
and when my feet hit the steps.  all the ugly carpet had
been removed. i squealed out loud and in return i heard bryce
giggling from the bed. he and the kids removed the last bit for
me. so now i need to get busy. again…the sweet center

surfacing the dream.

each time i come home from a retreat, i can feel the fire burn.
with each retreat i feel renewed – more hopeful about my path
as an artist.

surfacing the dream.

this week will be filled with a trip to get paint for the studio walls,
filing paperwork, organizing my inventory and supplies. painting
a new desktop for my shipping area and finishing up a commission
piece that is screaming for attention.

surfacing the dream.

new artwork is in the shop. take a hop over and check it out. new
items will be added throughout the week.

surfacing the dream.

keeping the burning fire warm.

peace.