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.