Monday, March 03, 2008

Windows of the Soul

My apologies for delaying the details of my trip to the coast of Georgia. I truly underestimated (once again) the physical toll doing a one-day show takes from a 45-year-old body, particularly when the show is the first one of the year. All that muscle and leanness I gained from those last 5 weeks of last year's schedule is now turned to fat and lard. I was wiped out yesterday once I got home. I felt even worse today.

As usual when one "feels the burn" and looks at that physical toll as a positive aspect of the work experience, they will also consider their entire effort as a gainful experience. If you are wondering now if I'm making some kind of an effort to put a positive spin on the weekend, don't worry. Everything turned out awesome! Not only did I have my best sales total since my trip to Tybee Island last November but I found a spiritual reassurance that I am doing what I am supposed to with my life's profession.

All of that anxiety I carried with me to begin the trip was eased during those first few moments of unloading my gear. It was quite obvious that I've become a part of "the Savannah gang" that routinely attend these events. From the Savannah Waterfront Association folks to those artists who've become a part of my extended family, they all made me feel welcome and that I was meant to be there.

The weather was glorious (73 degrees with very light winds - I should've worn shorts and my Crocs). By mid-afternoon the crowd had swelled to the largest I had seen in the few trips I've made down there. I think all of us that had the pleasure of hanging out on the riverfront Saturday had a taste of the warm days soon to arrive.

Saturday's highlight was meeting Derek, a handsome 19-year-old young man from Michigan, and his family. Oh by the way, Derek has cerebral palsy. Even though Derek was just flat out exhausted he graciously accepted our Telly Turtle book and in return I got a huge smile that reminded me so much of Ben's!

As I chatted with Derek's mom & dad we couldn't help but feel the kinship between us. While I was telling them a little about Ben a stunningly beautiful young lady walked up and took Derek's hand. It turns out it was his 21-year-old sister. I found out about her connection with Derek and what an amazing future she has before her. Later that evening I shared with Joan how I couldn't help but see a vision of us ten years from now.

By the time I returned to the camper exhaustion was quickly constructing cobwebs between my ears. I poured a glass of wine to unwind just a little more and thought about how much I have changed since the last trip to Savannah just three months ago. While I would agree that rest has been a factor in gaining back my confidence I can also say that the key ingredient is the way I am looking at life these days.

My confirmation came in the form of a book my mother encouraged me to read...oh...perhaps a year ago at this time? For some reason I was compelled to pack Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire. I don't know why. My artist friends will tell you that I'm not one of those to read in the booth when things are slow. Also when you're camping by yourself, the prospect of building a campfire to relax next to beats sitting in a small pop-up camper anytime. That is in fact how I enjoyed my Friday evening.

Despite those cobwebs creeping across that empty space in my cranium I still had a half-full glass of wine. There's no sense in wasting a gift from the grapes so I plucked the book from my luggage and began reading. About an hour later I picked my jaw up from off the table and went to bed. Trust me. My jaw was not there from yawning.

Even running out of gas on the way home couldn't bring me down. How could it? I was able to coast to the bottom of an exit ramp leading to two truck stops.

My blog friends I tell you that this is going to be a great year for our family. I don't know about how that might relate to personal sales figures or financial gain. In all honesty I really don't care. I can only say that me, Joan, Jessie, and Ben have a joy happening within us that we've not experienced in a long, long time and that is what it is all about.

And thanks for the book, Mom.

15 comments:

Nurse Betty L. Boop said...

I am glad to hear that everything was so awesome this past weekend! Isn't it just amazing how He can knock you over the head one day, so that you can wake up and smell the roses the next!?! Welcome to the garden!!!!

Gretchen said...

AMEN! SO glad to hear it!

Anonymous said...

Hey Bennie,

sooo nice to hear that good things have come your way - and I'm glad you did not plunk down your paintbrush and canvas to take up accounting...there really IS a reason why you do what you do, even if you sometimes can't exactly pinpoint what it is. Thanks for sharing some refreshing news - the world needs more of that lately...
Greetings to the gang there - let me know when you have time for some painting excursion or whatever. I'll bring german coffee and cake...

Katie said...

You can "hear" the joy and change in this post...=)

Gretchen said...

Oh, and how did the mosaics go?

Anonymous said...

forgot to tell you:
I put an introduction to you and Ben and your art on my blog last night.

Anonymous said...

Gretchen - I did not sell a single one. It goes to show you should always "dance with the one who brought you."

Conni - Cool!!!

we_be_toys said...

I'm so glad the show went well! I was a little worried at how wiped you were sounding before. I can't beleive the mosaics didn't do well - I thought they were FAB!

Funny how today we are both writing about the deeper, unseen aspect of walking through this life - great minds I reckon!

Thanks for the comment - I'm going to go check out the book your mom gave you!

Gretchen said...

What kind of hangar do you have on them? I might like the fish on my garage door.

Anonymous said...

Gretchen - I put D-rings on the fish so it hangs horizontal. I still have your e-mail from last week. I'll find link to what they look like. Basically it can hang from 2 nails or 2 picture hangers.

Gretchen said...

I wonder if a funky beaded wire would look good?

Anonymous said...

Kind of funny you mentioned that. The three more narrow pieces (the two palms and the turtles) use beaded wire to hang them with.

kimmyk said...

you sound happy.
i'm glad.
i'm sorry this weekend didn't go well financially. keep your chin up.

Anonymous said...

Did you know that Kevin Coster is in SC right now filming a movie? My cousin is his assistant.
I'm still trying to pull strings.
So many strings.
xoxo

Kyla said...

Oh! I'm so glad to hear all this happiness in your "voice".