When I woke this morning, something felt different. There were no bad dreams, no barking dogs waking me up through the night, and Mali for some reason felt the need to be curled up against me. Maybe a corner has been turned, or a step higher has been gained. In any case the day has a slightly hopeful feeling about it.
Last year while in my hammock, I noticed the wood stacked near the public washrooms. It is the trunk of a tree cut down and sliced into giant pieces. They were left, for who knows how long, in a haphazard way. The top piece was leaning at an angle against the stack. This is what caught my imagination. To me it was a great likeness to a swallow in flight. It was one of those things, when you see it, you want to tell someone. Then the thought disappears when you see that person.
Not long ago, well actually about the beginning of February, I did tell Laura and Elizabeth’s brother, who was here visiting that day. Laura’s said she had a relative who may be able to help, make use of it somehow. It would be a great statue! But the weeks and months have passed, and nothing happened.
Laura’s brothers and their friend have been here since the beginning of the quarantine, working around the property. During the last week, they have been cutting down trees and piling debris behind the washrooms. I was afraid they would destroy the swallow, because they showed no signs of recognizing what it was. Yesterday, I went to try to talk to them, which isn’t easy without my translator, to explain about the swallow. They understood what I was trying to say…..sort of, and after discussing it among themselves, decided it was possible to trim them up and get them ready to be painted.
This morning Pedro began to trim and cut, giving the birds a bit of a more stream lined, less rough look. I found watching him work, the feeling of being beautiful began to return. The optimism from the joy percolated to the surface as he slowly and patiently worked.
In my life, my ideas have mostly been pushed aside, made fun of, or seen as being too much work to be feasible. That this man understood what I wanted and was willing to put the time and effort into making it happen was the reason for my renewed spirit this morning.
I really hope we can find a good way to display them when they are finished. Is it not a beautiful idea? The trunk of a tree long dead is reborn as 2 birds. To me this really is a unique and wonderful gift. A very positive beginning to the day.
Based on what happened today, I conclude beauty is connected to joy. Also that positive interaction with others uplifts our spirits, enabling us to feel more positive about our future, our life. I have been more isolated due to the language barrier and my own shyness. Of course to further isolate me, I cannot communicate to the outside world. Combined, these issues have kept me in a kind of bubble as I sank into despair about my future. It is much more difficult to remain positive with only yourself to encourage you. Today showed me the extreme benefits of being heard. To also see recognition from someone else who otherwise may never have seen what you saw, and become as excited and happy for sharing in the experience. This was very satisfying.
I mean really, what are the odds of finding a tree trunk in the shape of birds? To me this is just wonderful!
It is very true however, for people like me, joining in, reaching our and asking to be part of something does not come easy. Today I feel part of something and it brought me joy – made me feel beautiful.
And….. if I thought the day couldn’t get better, the next piece of wood to be discovered in the pile was none other than a heart! Philippe said he was giving me his heart and would leave it at my door. But for now, it has been tied to a tree, waiting to be painted.
The orchid plant I had found earlier in the orchard was brought out and placed above my heart……or Philippe’s. It has been placed so that when it blooms again, it can drape over the heart.
What an amazing day, I’m not sure I will be able to sleep. For now I am content to swing on the swing looking at the new creations which were hidden in a pile, for an artist this was a pile of gold!
