Tuesday, September 16, 2008

37 Years


Thirty seven years.

It has taken me 37 years to discover my thing. Dumb words, but what else do I call it? You know. My thing. That one special something that is all my own, but also connects me to others. The thing that comes easily, but is always challenging. The thing that provides endless opportunities for growth and change. More than a hobby, an avocation, a passion. The thing that allows me to express myself, take risks, explore, make connections, grow and change. My thing.

One of my good friends is a gifted pianist. She's also a teacher and a mother of two. She works hard all day long teaching children to read. She plays the piano at church every week. She is available, always, for anyone who needs her. Like most of us, she is busy. And. She spends a two or three hours four evenings a week giving piano lessons. Why? Because she loves it. Because it's her thing.

One of my favorite people is extremely artistic. I've seen amazing paintings she created when she was just playing around. She has the most gorgeous pale eggs with fern prints made from ferns in her garden and dye from her plants. Her backyard water garden is a work of art. My closet holds a gorgeous scarf knit just for me. This woman is an artist in every way. And then, she discovered her thing. She rug hooks now. Passionately. Quickly. Beautifully. In a style all her own. She creates her own patterns and combines the most fantastic colors. Her thing.

I have a friend who is an actor. He recently said to me, "Who knew that I would finally find myself, my gift - at forty?" He does it as much as he can now. He takes whatever part he can find in community theater, works hours for free, juggling schedules to meet the needs of five children and still have time to live his passion. His thing.

My husband is an amazing teacher. Gifted. Recognized and admired for his abilities. He loved every minute of it. Then, he decided to make a change and become a librarian. And now? He glows. I'm not kidding. His face, his self. He glows. He is happy, excited, eager, contented. Alive in a electrifying way. His thing.


And my thing? My passion?

It is this.

You are here, taking part in it. And I thank you more than you know.

Thank you for being here, sitting by my fire. I hope you are cozy. Here's a soft pillow for your head. Would you like a warm child to sit on your lap and snuggle? How about a blanket? A well-loved stuffed animal to squeeze? A cup of tea?

Thank you for spending a little time here. Listening to what I have to say. Giving me a place to be myself. To be heard. Sending me encouragement and love. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for stopping by for a quick hello. Thank you for the longer chats, the comments, the emails, the packages, the give-aways, the friendship, the love. Thank you for being a true community.

Aren't we all so blessed?

Happy September, my friends.






This post was inspired specifically by these two lovely bloggers. The photographs come from two of my favorite photographers who have definitely found their thing. Kristybee and Samantha Lamb.

15 comments:

The Feathered Nest said...

Ah Relyn...not only is your blog a wonderful place to visit, your words are like waters flowing through creek, you have such a way with words my dear...I love to read your posts! xxoo, Dawn

Caroline said...

This is truly your thing...your gift. I love to come by and relax. Your blog is like a cozy B&B...always great stories and wonderful things to look at and admire. Thank you for your beautiful blog...it makes me smile.

dee said...

I like your thing.

Boy, does that sound strange!

Jeanne said...

Such beautiful sentiments you share.
Love Jeanne

studio wellspring said...

thank you for sharing you & your thing with us. i feel so blessed to know you through blogging and consider you a great treasure of the blogiverse!

Dutchbaby said...

"When you follow your bliss... doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors, and where there wouldn't be a door for anyone else."

Joseph Campbell

You, my dear, have found your bliss and we all profit. Thank you!

tangobaby said...

What else can I say that has not been said already. Except to say that I'm glad I found you, and that you have found what makes you happy.

xoxo

Patti said...

Relyn~ You have such a gift- I am so glad that you are able to share it! I am happy that I was able to discoever your fire to sit by every now and then! Have a wonderful rest of the week!
Hugs~ Patti

Jessica said...

oooo, I love "your thing" and I hope that you continue on with it for a long, long time. Your words are always so perfect...and they always touch me. And I am forever thankful for your encouraging words to me as well!

Teal Chic said...

What a great post! I think I'm only pushing "my thing" away when I demand its arrival. Should have been here yesterday! You've definitely found your thing and you're wonderful at it!!!

paris parfait said...

It's always a pleasure visiting you! Very inspiring about all these people finding their bliss, you included!

beth said...

thanks for letting me sit by your fire and enjoy some of your life with you !!!!
what a blessing !!!

Anonymous said...

i am soooo sentimental! i can't help it but it made me cry when i clicked and you linked that last thought to me. you are so dear. you know who much i relate to you and your love of blogging :) everything about it. i cna't believe i might have missed reading this post. i'm so glad i didn't! those are great stories of passion and love. you are an awfully good writer.

And a supremely happy birthday to you! it was yesterday right? happy, happy weekday!!
XOX

Jaime said...

Oooooh how incredibly fortunate for us that you found your thing! I love everything about you... I adore your blog, and I so know what you mean about it being *your thing*. I think blogging has become a part of my thing too.
Thank you for being here
xoxo

Gigi Thibodeau said...

Oh, I love this post from the "old days," Relyn. It brings me back to the the sense of community shared in those days. I feel like social media kind of scattered people much more than any of us could have known it would. Over the past couple of months I have been finding my way back to blogging on a more regular basis, rediscovering why I first loved it, and finding new reasons to love it, too. I don't feel any pressure about it, which is good. I write so much for a living, for deadlines, that it's important to keep this space just for me and for the wonderful souls like you that I meet along the way. Thank you, sweet friend, for your generous spirit. xo Gigi

Oldies, but Goodies