Sunshine Fables: A Quick Note

One of my clients has had a terribly rough run of it as of late. His mother has been at her wits end and frankly on some days so have I. But what I find really special is that even though he has presented as a lot of trouble, there is so much love for him from everyone that works on him. No one is giving up on him when it would be so much easier to do so. Everyone keeps fighting for him and believing in him. He deserves that. We should fight for each other- fight to let one another know that we are loved and deserve that love. Just as he does.

Yesterday his mother let me know he had a good day at school. The first one that he has had in months. I wrote to her and said,

"Hold on to that. Soon enough the good days will outnumber the bad ones."

I encourage any of y'all going through hard times to hold on to the good moments, the good days. They too soon will outnumber the rough ones. And to remember to fight for yourself and the others in your lives.

Sunshine Fables: The Freedom Within

For the first time I allowed myself to let go wholly in dance class. I focused not on how I looked, but how each movement felt. And I thought, "Shit, this is what really living is. Breathing in each joyous breath and allowing yourself to be free within your own skin. To allow yourself to move in grace free of everyone's judgement including your own. This is living".

This is street art located in Roxbury. It is a part of an abandoned lot near an elementary school. I love the whole mural, but I especially love this part of the piece. I love the look of peace yet sheer fierceness on her face. Maybe in reality I didn't look like this, but I felt like this in some moments. In other moments I felt like the muppet  Grover. That was a nice lovely feeling too. No matter what I looked like I felt so free. 

Sometimes it is amazing to just be conscious of each breathe you take. To feel how amazing it is to simply be living and existing. As I walked today I was struck with a sudden burst of joy that stemmed from nothing except a happiness for living. What is it about the sun that makes it so much easier to feel hope I wonder? As the cold air brought a flush to my cheeks and I stared up at the bright sun, I felt a sense of awe. These are the moments I live for. Boo boop de doop.

Akin to Ava: New Friends

Wow. These photos are kinda old actually. They are from a jaunt to Blue Hills back at the tail end of December. It was a warmer and more humid day for the Winter month and the recent snow and ice was melting in its warmth. I loved the juxtaposition of the melting ice and the autumn like foliage.

 This is Millie. She reminds me of a baby Ava. I am just so into lichen. When I went off trail I stumbled onto this little tree and probably spent five million years taking pictures.

I love when I stumble on little holes in trees. They makes me think of little hidden treasure havens. Sometimes, for some little critter they just might be.

This was the 'treasure' I found. Ok, so it is essentially some ice, wet leaves, and other assorted bramble. But in my mind at the time it was a lot more magical for sure.

Old time friend of The Story Girl. This is Joseph for his fallen roots are of many colors.

 Ughh....I like this picture, but it doesn't even begin to capture the hazy wonderful feeling I felt when I walked into this little off trail clearing.

 Magic!

"If your eyes are opened, you'll see the things worth seeing"

-Rumi 

Paved Enchantment: Sylvie and the Snow

A few times a week I walk a friend's dog. She is a black lab and just about the best little dog pal a person can have. Sylvette LOVES snow. She loves sniffing it. She loves walking in it. She loves it so much that she has a happy dance when she plays in it. It looks a lot like when Snoopy dances. It is one of the most precious things I have ever seen. I am truly considering developing my own signature happy dance due to her influence.

I walk Syvlie in Brookline and right by the dog park we visit there is a sanctuary called Hall's Pond. Hall's Pond is one of two natural ponds in Brookline. The sanctuary contains the pond, wetlands, a garden, and a small trail. Tons of birds and little critters inhabit this plot of land. Sylvie and I have never been inside the gates of this sanctuary due to Sylvie being a dog and thus not being invited (critter protection you see). We walk around it a lot though and I think it is so amazing that nestled in the city is this little gem. There are a lot of little pieces of land like this scattered around Boston actually. Sadly not a lot of people know that our urban jungle has some of nature's wonderful secrets.

A secret to no Bostonian at the moment though is that we are currently experiencing a consistent bout of predicted snow. On Monday there was a bit of snowfall as the prelude of bigger things to come. Knowing how much Sylvie loves the snow, I was super stoked to take her out. As we walked around the dog park I stopped near the pond and took the photos below. One of these days I will venture inside the gates, but for now the view from just outside and with such sweet company will do.

I should note that like Sylvie I also am loving the snow. As a Southerner I am not super thrilled with the cold part of it; however the snow creates this misty texture to the sky and lighting. Every shot taken with Sparrow makes me think of a watercolor painting. Being outside is like living in an enchanted picture full of promise and hope. My hope is for daffodils and Spring. I only enjoy the snow so much after all.

While I wait for the cheerful yellow orbs that trumpet the coming of Spring though, I will work on my own happy dance. Maybe you could work on yours too. Enjoy living with abandon. Hope for things while enjoying the present. Hope is after all one of the most beautiful things we can possess. Stay warm!