Yesterday a lovely mom of one of Ilse’s friends growing up texted me.
She wanted to tell me that I was in her thoughts….and to tell me that her son is getting married.
We haven’t connected for a few years.
She and two of her sons were at Ilse’s funeral in an open field that warm July day in Covid.
She asked how I am doing.
I started to list off all the things that I am doing.
And then I looked around my house as I walked from my little studio to the kitchen to boil more water for more energy (in the form of caffeine from the Earl Grey).
My life is perfect.
What does that look like?
It looks like a sleeping dog to step over in the hallway, as I pass an old bookshelf with an assortment of ribbon on the top with sewing scissors at the ready, it looks like a counter full of dishes, recycling in grocery bags on the floor, clean laundry piled high on top of the machine, a kitchen table with supplies for workshops, seeds in paper bags waiting to be separated from their coverings sitting under the table.
As I walk through the living room while I wait for the kettle to boil, there are two card racks lying on the floor, boxes of green paper bags ready to be stuffed with cookies and other goodies to welcome our guests to this market we are doing in my garden, there are batteries ready to power small lights for decoration in the garden, and on the mantle there is a very large cyanotype that I made under this summer’s sun and I am in love with it. Unframed, not hanging, just propped up surrounded by dried lunaria in various vases made by my friend Malene, next to wooden bowls made by my late uncle, some small ceramics I have made, and a drawing of Lilly made by my friend Emma.
The computer I use to write to you is sitting on top of a tall stack of magazines, and large hardcover books on topics of creativity doing double duty pressing flowers far below -like the picture in my mind of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Princess and the Pea ( weirdly apt since they are sweet pea flowers under there).
It’s messy, it’s in motion, it’s progress, it’s promise.
These physical objects represent my life in this moment which is full of connection with friends, meeting new people, inspiration, joy, being loved and loving in return, learning, work in the form of effort and focus.
Next week we will have a singer songwriter, Jess, a friend of Charlotte performing in my garden at our Yuletide Market. I have never heard Jess’s music before; it is her first public performance after open mic nights.
The last time I did a market, Ilse played her guitar and sang in the garden. She and I had organized the event together.
This is not a re-enactment of a past memory, that is a stand alone.
But I cannot help being reminded of it. Reflecting on it. Being grateful that I had that.
Being grateful that I have this current life – which I have built.
One day at a time.
I can’t tell you how excited I am about doing this market with Charlotte. Welcoming people into this experience. Sharing the simple joys of making, being around inspiring people.
Something that I have learned in the last five years is that a beautiful creative life is not a gift that is given, but one that is earned through intention.
It is available to each and every one of us.
There is no comparison because everyone’s definition of a perfect life is different.
Today this is mine.
Are you living your perfect life? One that is perfect for you?
I wish you peace on your path,
Lise-Lotte