When my Daddy was going through chemotherapy, we had sort of a standard way of joking. He was never a man to admit weakness or defeat, or even that he didn't feel very well. I'd ask him how he was feeling on a particular day and he'd say "I wish someone would get the license number of that truck that keeps running me over..." and we'd laugh.
I woke up this morning KNOWING what he meant.
I now have a completely new respect for Artists who work at Festivals and outdoor shows. O.M.G. My face hurts from smiling and saying "HELLO, my name is..." and "it is pronounced GEE-clay. It's French."
I'm so glad I did this Festival. I knew it wasn't perhaps the most appropriate venue for my work, but the goal was to meet the deadline, have the work ready, be IN the show, and survive the Public Exposure.
I met some wonderful artists, one of whom lives four miles down the road and keeps SHEEP and spins her own wool for weaving rugs! Why haven't I known about her? She looked at her feet and said quietly, I don't like to get out in the Real World much, I love the farm and my sheep and my spinning and my children...I gave her a big hug and felt like I had made a New Friend.
There was an overwhelmingly positive response to the Shrine. I was very nervous about displaying it in my very small Southern town which has thirteen churches, only one of which I would ever be welcome in.
People kept touching it, and sighing. Wanting it.
I felt so strongly that there was a Reason to have my work Out There in this particular show. In the afternoon, a man in a wheelchair came through the Art show, pausing to talk with some of the artists, clearly having some difficulty breathing. He spoke to the portrait artist sitting next to me, a wonderful woman from Poland who had TB in her bones as a child and has endured a lifetime of surgeries. She developed her drawing skills while flat on her back recovering and being fitted for innumerable full body metal braces. She's SUCH a shining Light, and I adore her. She was speaking tenderly to the man, nodding and turning the pages of her portfolio for him, to better enable him to see her amazing drawings.
He thanked her and wheeled over to my table. I smiled and greeted him and he ANNOUNCED, in a Very Loud Voice that he wanted THAT, pointing to the shrine. I apologized for the hundreth time that day, 'tis not for sale. He laughed and with some effort explained that he still wanted what it MEANT, and wheeled himself on to the woman who paints pet portraits...and has a PhD in Art History.
I haven't completely processed all of the stories from yesterday. The woman who burst into tears when she saw the small polaroid of my children next to my Knitting. The people who LOVED what the Labyrinth represents and asked when the Book would be coming out. The FRIENDS who drove long distances just to give me a HUG.
I think I was there to collect stories, if I'm honest about the experience. I came home and wrote pages and pages of notes about the characters I met, the snippets of dialogue I didn't want to forget...and YES, entered the Sales I Made into the ledger.
MIRACULOUS, on so many levels.
My deepest thanks for the prayers and Love and LIGHT....I was bathed in them all the day long.
Greta,
So glad that the show went so well. Many of the things you write about hit home on so many levels. You put into words many of the emmotions, that I could not begin to express into words for fear they might come true (or that they might not). You know how that is. I too cannot wait til your book is out. It's already on my to read list. Maybe we can try & meet at MS&W next weekend. LMK
Melissa
Posted by: Melissa | April 25, 2004 at 08:36 AM
Incredible day Greta. I hope you are able to relax and absorb it all today--slowly. And a new friend down the block. She sounds cool. Yea!
Posted by: Kathleen | April 25, 2004 at 08:43 AM
it sounds wonderful!!! isn't it funny how the things we do touch people in ways we may never know, unless we put ourselves out there.
Posted by: ann | April 25, 2004 at 09:40 AM
I'm so glad you did it. I believe that people really want to help and encourage others who are trying to achieve something. (If that makes sense). I know I was rooting for you.
Posted by: Debra | April 25, 2004 at 12:20 PM
We never know the many ways we can touch another person's life, and others rarely know how they impact us. It's wonderful that you could get a glimpse into that mutual process. AND have sales to rack up in addition. Congrats on a great day.
Posted by: Sharon | April 25, 2004 at 01:05 PM
Greta, sweet. What a remarkable day on your journey. Praise and pride for all you are and do. And so much love.
Posted by: Nathania | April 25, 2004 at 01:44 PM
The strength inside you is a joy to behold. Really.
Posted by: Ann | April 25, 2004 at 02:54 PM
Greta, the story of your wonderful day just brought tears to my eyes. What a glorious experience for you. Congratulations on everything.
Posted by: Jane | April 25, 2004 at 07:14 PM
God bless you!
Posted by: Christy | April 25, 2004 at 07:54 PM
Sounds like an amazing day, Greta! Your daughter hit the nail on the head: you rock!
Posted by: alison | April 26, 2004 at 04:55 AM
Ah, wonderful! Sounds like a lovely gathering.
Posted by: Mary | April 26, 2004 at 09:07 AM
Wow! Have a light-filled afterglow day!
Posted by: Carrie | April 26, 2004 at 01:15 PM
Not Michelle -- it's actually Rachael writing -- just had to say, again, I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. I had to read about your day..... You are an artist. And soon I'll hug you! xoxx
Posted by: Em/Michelle | April 27, 2004 at 10:22 AM
Greta - so glad to hear the show went well!
Posted by: Melissa | April 28, 2004 at 01:49 PM