Brand New Day

To say I am touched beyond words, is not saying much. To say I am in awe, is putting it mildly.

Yesterday, in despair I sat here and agonized whether I should hit publish and unleash my pain. Yesterday, I was feeling the weight of the shadows about to annihilate me. Yesterday, out of the blue, I was feeling smaller than the most insignificant mote.

Then your words came. Words of support, and caring. Words of wisdom and love.

I was overwhelmed with it, washed away with such empathy from people I have never shared a coffee with. I don't even know if there are words to express my gratitude, but I will start with,

Thank you.

I usually reply in the comments section, and I will be coming to your blogs to thank you "in person", but I wanted this post to honor the wonderful, loving, wise people you are. I thank the Universe for letting me connect with you. In many ways, you are life savers. :) Thank you all for your encouraging words about my art. It helps more than you will know. :)

So from yesterday's comments:

Thank you Tracy :) Knowing that someone is there to just listen is precious to me. Hugs!

Thank you Jennlui :) I am sorry you have had to go through this as well. It boggles my mind that people should change in that way after the miracle of a child's entrance into the world. Thank you for your offer, and who knows one day I might find myself in Ottawa. Your warmth and caring are like the twin lights of Sun and Moon. Hugs!

Thank you Suzie :) I hate that you will celebrate your birthday alone. I wish I had the money to send you a ticket to the TDot to spend it with your family! I guess I should start playing the lotto! :) If that fails, we can have a blog party for you! Live! :) Hugs!

Thank you Taexalia :) It's actually flooring me that others have gone through this very thing. But it shouldn't. Pain is by no means unique. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I like your plan for this year. :) Hugs!

Thank you Tori :) I was very very reluctant to hit post. Now, it is important to go the next step and tell my friends how I feel. I feel it is important to honor whatever you are feeling, and bring it into the light. If I hadn't hit publish, others also wouldn't have had the chance to share their stories. I am feeling better about it today. Hugs!

Thank you Rebecca :) It might very well be the fact that I just turned 40. Part way through my life, and not really adoring what I don't see in it. Even though it's horrible to feel this way, it's also very reassuring to know others have felt it too. Hugs!

Thank you Lillian :) It is reassuring to know that others feel this way, though I hate the thought that others have felt this way. It's not a great feeling. Not at all. But, it is part of the human life. Hugs!

Thank you Kim :) I am feeling much better today, about publishing the post. It was really hard to lay my soul bare like that. I considered writing it on a piece of paper and burning it like I normally do, but honestly that has never worked for me. :) It's an lovely idea you throw out there. I will consider it. :) Hugs!

Thank you Tabby :) Thank you for your prayers. How can God not listen to an angel on earth like you? :) Hugs!

Thank you Caroline :) I have never been one to shy away from my feelings or the truth behind them. It's just the first time I declared it pretty much for the whole world to see. My soul was crying out to do it, and I had to obey. :) Hugs!

Thank you Lisa :) You're right. That is me too. Both sides of me. I accept them. I thank you for your advice, please do not apologize for it. :) This was a culmination of all the things that have been happening and I had had enough. Enough with the loneliness and sadness and being delegated to "Oh, right, it's Genie's birthday. How can I fit that into my busy schedule." I felt that I deserved more than that. :) Hugs!

Thank you Kristen :) I look so marvelous through your eyes. :) I am at a loss for words other than to repeat Thank you. :) I am believing it, and the fact that I spoke up, is proof of it. :) Hugs!

Thank you Molly :) They can take their lemons and stuff their lemonade! YEAH! :) There just comes a point in someone's life that making excuses for everyone at our own expense just won't cut it. Hugs!

Thank you Musey :) Yes, you're right. The nudes do represent my baring soul! I really didn't think about that until you mentioned it :) I don't feel alone when I come to the blogosphere. :) You are all wonderful gems of human beings whom I truly admire and cared about. :) Hugs!

Thank you Fatma :) We can surely go for a coffee. That would be great. I welcome meeting each and every person I have come in contact with through this community. I wish we could even all have a meet and greet :) Hugs!

Thank you (Intothe) Dawn :) How absolutely heart-wrenching. I am sorry you had to go through that. May your kitty play happily with the cat nip in the sky. I hope that by letting this all out, I will move past it, and start anew. Hugs!

Thank you Steve :) It's an interesting conundrum indeed. :) I have not been able to come up with an answer myself. :) Thank you for your flooringly amazing offer to send me materials. That means a lot to me. I was mostly talking about the tablet, and other expensive items, which I would never in a millions years expect anyone else to get for me. The offer is more precious than any gift and I will cherish it. Thank you! Wish there were a LOT more men in the world like you. I truly do :) Hugs!

Thank you Danette :) You have always being a dear friend to me. Your love and support have always carried me through, and I cherish you. You are a friend for life, no matter what, no matter how. That is a fact. Hugs!


Today is a Brand New Day. I encounter it more serene, and much more hopeful, for, if the world is populated by such amazing individuals such as all of you, then it is a beautiful place indeed.

I painted these in PS yesterday, as I was deliberating my process, and the amazing comments it engendered. To view the images, as usual you just click on them. :) The first was a tribute to how I felt yesterday morning while I was composing my post; the second depicts the warmth and open horizon I felt while reading your comments; and the third is how I felt being part of this wonderful and glorious group of people. How I feel right now.

We have much to be thankful for and to celebrate. President Obama is being inaugurated this morning, and in his hands, lies the future of the world. The eyes of the world focus on him, and our hearts beat with hope. It is a very formidable task. I pray that he will have the strength, and vision to carry it through. I pray that he will be allowed to do so. I pray for peace to settle in the loins of this planet, and that we can go on with the business of living, of loving, of creating.

Blessed be :)