You Know I Love You, Right?

(click to enlarge)

Painting is my salvation, along with writing. I need to bathe myself in color and image so that the day has meaning for me. Otherwise, it is lost in tedium and duty. I painted this in Photoshop, creating several layers for the backdrop, and countless layers for the woman. Shading and contour are my primary focus right now. I am getting closer to my goal.

As I painted this last night, I was filled with thoughts of love and gratitude. For each and every one of you. So, it became imperative for me to say,

"You know I love you, right?"

We may all be coming from various perspectives and paths in life, but we convene here in the blogosphere in support and sharing. It is a phenomenon like no other. You touch my very soul.

Often, your words, here and on your blogs, are the most meaningful ones I experience in the day. You enlighten me, and buoy me. You intrigue me, and make me laugh. Sometimes, your words make me cry. In sympathy, in happiness, with laughter. Nowhere do I get such nurturing on a regular basis. You take the time to write, to read, and sometimes to respond, and your words are like manna. I ingest them gratefully and thoughtfully.

I thank you.

Is this something we take for granted? How often do I tell the people who have sustained me in my life how much I love and appreciate them? How often am I given the chance? How much does "busy" absorb my every waking moment, leaving me without the opportunity to stop, look a loved one in the eye, and say,

"You mean a lot to me."

We all have "to-do" lists. I know I obsess over them sometimes, because they can get very daunting; and frankly a lot of those, I really don't want to do. I don't adore cleaning out the stove, or the toilet. It doesn't excite me to go shopping for a front door and a new stove. I am not thrilled to do my taxes, and balance the woeful state of my finances.

Yet, I spend more time on those things, things that in the long run matter less, than taking the time to sit with a loved one, and smile.

And by loved one, I don't only mean ones most dear to us, like children, or family or lovers. I mean the neighbor who puts away my recycling bin for me. The colleague who brings me coffee. The hairdresser who rocks the streaks. How often do I take the time to tell them in more than just a couple of words in passing, how much I appreciate them?

I need to be more mindful. Because. A lot might be missing from my life, but the people who fill it with joy, are precious indeed.

So I start with you.

Thank you. For being here. For reading. For giving me so much to think about. For making me laugh and smile and clap my hands. Thank you for who you are. Because.

You are precious.

Blessed be :)