Gratitude on Thanksgiving

It’s nine months since my last blog post, it’s Thanksgiving of 2019, and I am very grateful.

In short, I was ill for a while, requiring emergency surgery and lots of getting-better time, and tons of effort. I’m still recuperating. Another surgery awaits me in March, and I will need to recuperate again after that.

I haven’t been in the studio since August. I’ve been way too preoccupied to miss it.

What am I grateful for? I lived. I’m still authentically me despite all. The ordeal is now well on the way to being over. By summer, all things continuing as they have, I hope to be stronger and ready to explore the great outdoors of Maine again by foot and by kayak.

Our summer break will, I hope and believe, be followed by studio time. I will begin again by making things that take experience and time to craft. I have the experience (for which I am most grateful), and I am going to take the time. I intend to make only what I really enjoy. I plan to make round pots with lids that fit gorgeously, and carve designs through thin-walled vessels so that the pots hold nothing but light. And I want to make bread baskets from slab and thrown components. Something about these is happiness inducing for me. (If you want mugs and bowls, and you’re local NJ, please come take a class with me in the fall, when I believe I’ll be ready to teach again, and make them with your own hands.)

My support network has been surprisingly large. I didn’t even realize so many people know who I am and would be glad to make meals for my husband and me. Family, too, was constantly in touch. We never felt alone or sad. A bad situation was made much better. Gratitude is all I can feel for all of this.

Studio time? Watercolor painting? Guitar practice? I’m not there yet. It all takes focus that is diverted for now. I have muscle to regain and weight to put back after the whole ordeal. I haven’t been this skinny since I was too in love to need to eat, before our wedding. Physical therapy awaits as soon as I deal with one last health obstacle; I’m just about there.

Have a happy Thanksgiving, I wish you well, and hope life brings you healing events!

Posted on November 28, 2019 .