Today, the adorable wee one in the photo is turning fifteen!
And I’m having a birthday, too. A Grammy-birthday!
She’d already been teaching me for about 7 months before she appeared in far-away Scotland. Things about perspective. And mattering. And becoming me.
To say that I am grateful is the understatement of my lifetime.
As I write this, there’s a good chance she’s at field hockey practice. Really!
She’s kind, and bright, and talented. And she’s brave, even when things feel hard.
She marched on Washington in 2016. She is dedicated to civil rights and bodily sovereignty.
(Ironically, I was just her age when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Roe.)
She helps me gently with my homework.
She’s a big-hearted sister and friend and animal lover.
She makes me a more determined citizen and Guide Grammy every day.
And I can’t wait ’til Thanksgiving when I get to hug her again.
For today, though, I’m pondering all the ways she and her amazing sister continue to change – and refine – my filters.
Those perceptual gateways that literally/metaphorically decide which bits of the astounding amount of information bombarding us at every moment actually make it into our awareness.
Think of it like this…
Today I participated in a Zoom meeting. A Forest of Grandmothers circle. A room of paint sisters nearing the close of a year-long journey.
And while I looked and listened and contributed, with the birthday girl in my heart, I saw and heard and shared things I likely wouldn’t have, without the awareness of her part in my journey.
And, while all that was happening, the working title for the book I’m hatching changed.
Just one different word.
And now it’s ready to become real! (Stay tuned…)
Also, one of my paintings is about to have a book where her hair might otherwise have been!
All this shifting will take a bit. There are other things on the list. But the ah-ha‘s have happened.
So, after the meeting concluded, and the big dogs – who are still sleeping off Camp! – had their supper, I started weeding email.
And the things I took action on were all inspired by a vision of the world my girls – and all our Littles – are going to inherit.
I can’t fix it all. None of us can.
But, I can put a vision out there. I can support leaders who believe, like my new 15 year-old does, in civil rights and bodily sovereignty. (Also, actual education and access to sports for all kids!)
And, no… I can’t keep them safe from all of life’s challenges.
I CAN, as I learned from my old teacher/friend, Steve Glenn…
Listen to them… take them seriously… and not shame them or blame them for their questions.
And, I can help YOU clarify and name your SuperPower Path. It’s going to take a lot of us and your journey matters, too! CLICK HERE FOR THE NEXT RIGHT THING!
For now, may the birthday girl dance like her painting! And may we explore the possibilities, too!
ps… Ask me about the Filter thing! The calendar elves will happily set you up… bring Red Thread if you have some handy! (It’s my gift to you!)