Scarf 'made with love' from my very talented and warm-hearted friend Michele. Those colours and patterns are what my soul is craving for the moment, robin egg blue and soft brown. It is so soft and has this wonderful brown paisley corduroy on the back. I love it Michele, so so much :)
Coming back from college last night there were three parcels waiting for me. 'From friends' I almost whispered, not quite believing this was coming from my mouth - friends, me? Grinning from ear to ear and carrying those parcels home with a light step I sent a silent thank you - to those three beautiful women who sent me gorgeous gifts in the post, to you, who make my heart beat faster every time I write here and read your responses, to all those who have changed my life so beautifully. I never thought that little dreamling I planted a couple of years ago would survive, the whispered question to the universe - can I have friends?
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the same well from which your laughter rises
was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper that sorrow carves into your being,
the more joy you can contain.
Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup
that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit,
the very wood that was hollowed with knives?
When you are joyous, look deep into your heart
and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow
that is giving you joy.
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping
for that which has been your delight.
Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
This poem gives me comfort when I think the joy and excitement is overwhelming me. I most often fear that good things are not supposed to be a part of my life, that I'm just lucky but don't really deserve it. I'll have to pay for this splurge sooner or later, you know? I'd like to think good things are the bright balloons that you can't believe is tugging at a string from your hand, but they would pull you up and away if you didn't have 'bad' things to anchor you, plant your feet on the earth where your mother gives you strength and grounds you. That could be such a wonderful place to be, the balanced middle, though not easy. Requiring its fair share of courage - to receive what will be taken away, to give away in order to receive. I am only learning, but I seem to have more capacity to receive and give these days, frightening as it is. One day soon I'll tell you my favourite story about good and bad. For now I need to sleep though, good night my friends.
Thea's graceful birds, inspiring me to dance, fall and fly.
Madelyn and the ocean. The magic we have in our suitcases, ready to go into the waves, oh - where will your imagination take you?
that scarf is so beautiful and i too have some of those beauties joyful expressions hanging in my space reminding me to strive for beauty ... and soon i will have a piece of your beauty too, excitement : )
much love,
xox
Posted by: daisies | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 06:21
you are so deserving my friend.
soon your photo, that you so generously gifted to me, will be hanging on my wall, a way to 'see' you, my new friend, everyday. xo
Posted by: kristen | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 12:34
I just discovered you through Maddie's blog and can't believe I hadn't found you sooner! This post really spoke to me. I often have the same feelings about good fortunes...but why I'm not sure...
Your photographs are beautiful. I'm off to read more of your posts and to see more of your images... :)
Posted by: susanna | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 15:10
The balanced middle is so important, but it is the balloons that carry the Joy and the nurturing and the warmth and the love and the beauty and the passion... and then tug at your wrist and say "look, look... you are all these beautiful colorful things!"
you deserve all the good... and so much more, and it is so, so true... the deeper the sorrow the more Joy you can contain.
Thank you for bringing me Joy today Caroline.
xoxoxo
Posted by: joan | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 15:18
Caroline ~ I love getting things in the
mail from friends and your package to me
with the velvet satchel just filled me to
the brim ~ and all your gifts you sent me
with such love ~
I love this about blogging ~ finding
our friendships ~ the great soul mate ones
~ now we just need how to live all toghther
in our own little city:) lOL
I love Thea's photo ~ those birds are so
playful:)
and I love love LOVE your photographs
on your etsy ~ i am going to keep adding
to my collection of your photos and
I love that you do custom orders from
your flickr too because
ahem
I love the greenly green picture:)
(hugs)
Posted by: maddie | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 15:50
for making my day...I gave you a 'make my day award'...look on my blog...xx
Posted by: linni | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 21:13
You make me smile, and make my heart light... that friends shower you with gifts is no surprise, that friends shower you with affection is only natural for a beauty like you...
:-)
Sweet dreams,
Love,
Me
Posted by: PixieDust | Tuesday, 15 January 2008 at 22:29
I recently came across your blog and savored reading through your old entries over the course of a few days and was sad when I had none left to read! You write beautifully and your pictures make me long to travel. Reading your blog has given me a peaceful and inspiring feeling. Thank you. You deserve every wonderful thing that comes your way!
Posted by: Rebekah | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 00:09
Heya Caroline,
Your photos are stunning. I love! You had me at your 4th & 5th latest photos. Linking to you immediately! Nice to meet you, Lynn here btw. Shall be coming in for regular visits :)
Posted by: Brac Lynn | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 00:22
The gifts you received are gorgeous
and they merely reflect your inner beauty!
I love, love the photos from both Thea and Maddie :)
Isn't it lovely to finally find people that you connect with?
Hugs to you!
P.S. The Prophet never leaves my bedstand - I read it constantly and it made me smile to see you quote from it :)
Posted by: Michele | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 01:08
Caroline, you are so deserving of friends. So happy to see you getting presents.
Posted by: Rachel | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 01:37
Caroline, you are so deserving of friends. So happy to see you getting presents.
Posted by: Rachel | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 01:37
How very fitting on a 'Wellness Wednesday' that you get a 'you make my day award' from little old Moi!
Caroline... you truly do make my day... every day.
Thank you for being a lovely, light of inspiration.
xoxoxo
Posted by: joan | Wednesday, 16 January 2008 at 15:07