Archive for May 6th, 2009
Releasing the Heart
Interesting adventure, being a mom. Motherhood is so much more than a mere word or career role. It is an experience, a state of mind — of heart — difficult to describe with words or limited definition. Which is largely due to the diversity of said experience — and state of mind and heart! 
ad•ven•ture — To risk; engage in an activity that includes uncertain experiences.
Claude Monet: Camille Monet at Work
I remember the first time I saw this colorful and serene view of Camille Monet creating stitches of embroidery … I was in the midst of my own diverse days as a mother. All three of my children still lived at home; we were home-schooling and our days were absolutely brimming with, well, adventure!
I remember trying to envision what it would be like to have a space like the one in the painting:
A cozy nook filled with sunlight and the various green hues of potted plants, brightly colored accents, wall and floor coverings — complete with a comfy chair for sitting, for rest and casual gazes at the view through the windows! I would imagine the embroidery frame as a drawing table or desk, seeing myself in the midst of quiet focus — engaged in pencil sketches, watercolor paintings or creative writing and research.
I remember wondering what it would be like to be alone — in such a cozy nook— amidst quiet rooms, and without the brisk pace and constant activity of those days. The constant hum of Lego-building, conversations and read alouds, sibling “discussions” and the five-part harmony of our family …
Albeit different than I imagined — it is delightful!
The cozy nook is the corner of my dining room. It is filled with sunlight and thriving plants; it is where I compute, research and chat with friends online. In fact, said nook is one of three nooks which serve to inspire my random creative bursts and my work as an advocate.
Another being an area where a 100-year-old desk (from my very favorite grandmother) stores countless color markers and papers (and other essential collage elements). The third nook includes a small roll-top desk (right next to an east window) where I watch the sun rise as I journal and plan my days; the desk is a random piece of furniture I adopted as my own when I married my husband.
Monet would have had to add some additional elements — such as my digital camera, piles of books and two sleeping fur-grrls! — to any painting of “Stargardener at Work” ... As well as allow the painting to be an eclectic collage of work-space nooks — nooks of inspiring light and color. Nooks that are visuals for the three-part harmony of my life right now.
There is just this one other thing … I am not sure how he would have captured the memories that seem to twinkle amidst my creative nooks. Those periodic releases of glittery emissions from my mother’s heart that enable me to embrace — even as I let go … And to savor the lessons and beauty within the moments of motherhood. Even as it feels like I am continuously in the process of re-releasing the three well-equipped adults I am blessed to love and to know; and whom I was granted to Grace to train up in the way they should go.
