Precious things and people

One of the aspects of my life that I truly treasure are my creative and artistic friends. To be connected to them and get to enjoy their wonderful creations truly makes me feel rich.

I think I read in The Artist's Way that when we envy people it is because we want whatever it is about them we envy. But I don't know if that is always the case. I have so many creative friends with so many different styles and ways of creating that I treasure, and I don't think I envy them, I just love them and their work and consider myself lucky to know them.

I was told that in relationships, there is something equally as important as empathising and sympathising, and helping each other through difficulties. Equally as important as commiserating with loved ones is being able to celebrate with them and be pleased for their successes.

The jewellery above was created by my friend, Monique, and this year I went to her exhibition opening at a wonderful gallery shop attached to the main art gallery here in Christchurch. And what fun that was! My daughter and I got to catch a bus in, then a stroll through town, (lovely at that time of night) and just as we were walking up the steps, a fire alarm sounded which meant that everyone at the opening was piling out the door and no one was allowed back in for the rest of the night. But that was ok. It was still a nice night, and I got to meet some nice people on the steps.

Once my daughter had her art featured in a school calendar. It was beautiful and I was as proud as any mother would be. At the school fair, the principal was browsing through the calendar while I was there and I had to point out to him my daughter's art, which was there for the month of May, my birthday. He exclaimed to me how beautiful her work was, while I looked on proudly, so imagine my surprise when another parent also standing around near the calendar stand sarcastically said under his breath but loud enough for me and several others to hear:

What do you want - a medal?

Yeah, that would be nice, but in the meantime, I'll settle for the undeniable pleasure I have in sharing the joy of creation by other people. Life is good.