During my morning walks around the Circle when I lived on Fountain Place, I admired the beauty of Cassie’s irises. Back on campus at Elon University where we were colleagues, I expressed my admiration and she offered to share. One Sunday morning, side-by-side on hands and knees, we planted the divided bulbs across the back of my yard. It was a spiritual experience between two friends. I couldn’t bear to leave them when I moved to Forestdale, so, with Ross’s help, we transplanted the bulbs along the side fence. I wasn't certain of their color until these white bearded angels bloomed the following spring.
During this time of social isolation, my backyard has given me solace with its unfolding spring beauty---and the irises have been spectacular. My painting falls short of capturing their magnificence, but I gave it a try. Warm and cool, darkest dark, brightest bright, complements of yellow and purple, so many colors in white. Where is your star? Laine and Helen's words echoing.
This time apart from friends has also given me time to contemplate their value. Without the opportunity for much-needed and comforting hugs, I have been touched by simple gestures of kindness and sympathy from many special people: fresh-cut spring flowers and a beautiful pink hydrangea delivered to the front door, an orchid waiting on my carport steps, casseroles on the patio table, homemade bread and brownies, a carton of fresh strawberries left on the front porch, a book of blessings arriving in the mail, shared food from a neighbor’s take-out, cards, phone calls and sweet text messages.
We try to look for silver linings and gratitude in adversity, as my son Brent reminds me. The extended time and distancing have, hopefully, brought us an awareness of what is valuable in the present moment, our only connection to eternity. My cat Charlie has returned to my lap, I am reading books and poetry, and I have found joy once again in my studio and in writing. We can only speculate what lies ahead as we slowly step in the activity of our lives. My hope is that we don’t lose sight of the goodness of the human and holy spirit within each of us.
How is your heart?
