home again

i'm home again, if only for what seems like the briefest of moments before i head out to the great and beautiful northwest late next week.  my time with my parents out at their cabin was lovely and productive - i managed to finish over 15 necklaces in a matter of days, having fashioned their beginnings here at home and carted the trimmings and accoutrements out to my little corner table "studio" in the little log place that is my home away from home.  maybe that is why i am so exhausted; maybe it is because i walked up and down some thirty steps, back and forth, over and over, this morning as i loaded up my things and those of my parents' for our journeys back to this place and theirs in alabama.   maybe it is from the longing that comes after such a visit, the pining for the comfort and nurturing that comes with being with sweet loved ones and sitting deep into the night, talking and laughing and sharing stories with one another, for days on end.  maybe it is just because i'm tired, plain and simple, and longing for spring. 

i love it out where the cabin sits, high up on a hill that overlooks a flat patch of pastures and meadows far below, surrounded by big mountains on all sides.  there is something about sleeping within wooden walls, in the proximity of one's parents, that brings out the little girl in me.  several times i heard my father coughing in his sleep, upstairs; many early mornings i could hear the clickety clack of their golden retriever, isaac, as he danced around my mother before she brought him down to take him out.  i love hearing their footsteps, the creaking floorboards overhead.  i love sitting with a glass of wine or cup of tea, candles still lit from dinner, while the three of us bask in the joy of our company, our family existence.  it won't last forever, and i know these times are numbered; i sit and watch and smile and drink it all in, this love that fills a room and warms us in the lingering winter nights.    i love, as much, watching both my parents' hands as they busy themselves with tasks at hand - for my mother, that was cooking and planting and holding the book that she read here and there, and for daddy, it was his latter years' penchant for polishing any and everything within sight - here, in particular, a beautiful little antique leather purse that i discovered at a flea market with another friend on saturday.  and they, in turn, took great interest and pleasure in watching my hands whittle out necklace after ornamental necklace (with a few bracelets tossed in), marveling each time i held up the next glittering finished piece for them to see.  one evening, after we'd listened to the soundtrack of o, brother, where art thou? and commented on how much we all three  love the old hymn, "i'll fly away", my mother came up with the notion of making one of my fairy necklaces based on those words.  it was a pleasure yesterday to let her see it come to fruition, before it wings its magical way out west next week to artfest.  daddy, when he saw it, broke into tears;  it made him that happy, that proud.

what fun for me - to let my parents watch me at my best, as a designer, a self employed woman, an artist who deeply, passion- ately loves her work.  i'm not sure they've ever had the oppor- tunity, or one in which i was so deeply engrossed in what lay before me.  there were quite a few times when, feeling daddy's eyes on me, i glanced up to catch him watching my hands, my face, my expressions.    i'm grateful for that opportunity, so grateful - grateful for their excitement in witnessing me design and execute the jewelry that makes my self-made career.  before they came up on thursday, i had worried that i'd not get any work done; ironically, because i was able to pack up 3/4 of my studio and cart it out to the little corner table that my mother had set up for me in december, and because i was away from this computer for days on end, i was able to concentrate from morning til after dark.... something to keep in mind when i feel that i'm once again lagging behind.

well, i am exhausted - but after having taken the time to write all of this down, i realize that my weariness stems not from being battered by the confusion of negative worry and exterior emotion that so persistantly dogged me for the past couple of weeks, but comes instead from being so full to the brim with love, so satiated, that sleepiness naturally follows.  sweet and blissful dreams, everyone. xo

Comments

[Cindy Dean]

What a wonderful post. I envy your relationship with your parents. I am happy to see your back safe and sound from your travels.

[rachelle]

Yay, I'm comment no. 2 today. Never been this far up the chain. On the opposite side of the world, I am usually waking as you are going to bed. Do you know New Zealand is the first place in the world to see the sun. We are one whole day ahead of you guys. So I can tell you today what tomorrow will be like. Hehehe, well maybe not but it sounds romantic just like your wonderful visit with your parents. I am happy to hear your joy back in your 'voice' again, to know that your sighs come from contentment and not pain. Your jewellery looks divine and your parents are so sweet. Especially that daddy who cries so easily and wears his heart on his sleeve. Hmmm, just like you do. Precious post yet again.

[Frankie Kins]

I, too, love hearing my parents' voices and the sounds of their home when I visit them. There is something so comforting in that feeling of being "home". The "I'll Fly Away" necklace is more wonderful than words. (great soundtrack, too, by the way).

:D

[Megan]

What a magical time you have had Nina. There is nothing quite like the comfort family provides. Thankyou.
Mxo

[misty]

how wonderful for you and your parents to have this time together. beautiful words & photos...the one of your mama reminds me of you. I am looking forward to seeing my own parents tomorrow, it's been the longest stretch that I can remember since I saw them last. xo

[Jen Crossley]

Your Jewerly is awesome as always simple stunning Nina
Make the most of your parents I so miss the sound of my dear mums voice it has been 7 years since I lost her.So My advice is to cherish every visit with your parents,they are a precious gift
Jen

[Mary G.]

Dear Nina -- SO glad you are back, feeling happier after time with your mother and father. I had a fleeting covet of the "I'll fly away" necklace, but I'm not going to artfest. And I do love that song. But then I thought, why not make something of "I'll fly away" for myself? Why not, indeed! Thanks for the lovely idea and have a great time at artfest.

[liz elayne]

the undercurrent here, at least to me, is that this was a time for reframing and rejuvinating for you. and what a beautiful blessing to do that while spending time with one's parents.

beautiful, beautiful work...

can't wait until you are out here in this corner of the world!!

[Jo Stables]

I think the precious time spent with your parents was perhaps, the best medicine for your blues. Being surrounded by those who love you best, is nourishment for the soul and it shines through in the beautiful pieces you completed during that time!
Love you,
Jo xoxo

[Loretta]

What I wouldn't give to be able to sleep under the same roof one more time with my dad and mom. Your words fill up the empty places in my heart, Nina. I take such joy from reading of your time with your Mom and Dad.

[kim]

beautiful, beautiful post....
xox

[Kelly]

welcome home beautiful Nina...what a wonderful gift to be able to spend such intrinsic time with your parents. thank you again for sharing a glimpse into such specialness.

[red tin heart]

Nina, it was so wonderful that you got to spend time with your parents. I love the way you write about them.

Your new pieces are very sweet.
"I'll fly away" is very beautiful.
I really loved that piece.

It is wonderful that you were able to accomplish so much too.
xoxo nita

[Cindy Ericsson]

I'm so glad to read this account of your time with your parents. I had hoped that your silence here meant that your time was being given to loved ones or work that you love -- how good that it was both! Blessings and sweet dreams!

[Debbie Overton]

What a wonderful post to find at the end of my day....sweet memories are sure to follow. Your writings always leave me wanting to read more. Glad to have you back even if it is only for a short time. Debbie

[annie]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! what a treasure-filled memories that you've shared. love you...can't wait to see you!

[jamie]

Sounds Like as Exhausted as you are it was a Truely Restful time where you accomplished so much. Looks like a Simply Beautiful place to be Inspired to Work.

[Tina]

I can't wait to see you!

[herhimnbryn]

Enchanting N.
Sleep well.
ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Isabel]

Your words, the photos, the love and blissfulness permeating it all...you have the gift of opening our hearts!

[Sue]

Oooh....Artfest.....I dream of going to Artfest!!!!

Lucky you. lucky everyone who takes one of your workshops!

Maybe one day I'll get to go :-)

Sue xo

[robruhn]

It's wonderful that you can enjoy and communicate so well with your parents, it's something to treasure, as is all of your fabulous jewellery.
Ro
xo

[Dale]

Nina,
Your words and thoughts touched my heart regarding my own parents. They are in their 70's and 80's now and whether their time here is long or short you've reminded me to be patient with them, tolerate their idiosyncrisies for the time will come we all fly away...
I love that old hymn and will be humming it through the day I am sure. Welcome home. Dale

[Natalya]

such beautiful words again and again... thank you...

[Shirley]

For so brief a time, the nest that is the three of you was filled with the tightness of the bonds you share.
How wonderful to be able to look into your Dad's eyes and catch him watching you do the work you love. Or to sit with your Mom and let the soft words flow back and forth or to just hear the sigh of the dog and be HOME.
Take advantage of the time you have left to enjoy your own bed and the comfort of your own rhythms..
Too soon you'll be on the road again. So... Rest, girl!!! And... then work again like crazy.
xo

Sassi

[Vickie]

What a lovely, dreamy, heartfelt post. You draw us so wonderfully and fully into your life and your doings. I feel like I'm really getting to know your parents and already I love them! Thanks!

[carol]

it's true...no matter how old we are, even if we are parents ourselves, there's nothing like mom and dad.

[gretchen]

dearest nina, I found tears running down my cheeks as I read your sweet post today... what a precious gift it is, this time spent with your parents; and to realize it and cherish it as you do, is yet another gift. We your readers (and friends) cherish you and all your gifts that you continually share with us; we are truly blessed to be able to have you in our lives. with thanks and love, gretchen

[Judi]

How lovely that you are your parents are so close. I think that is more rare than one might expect.
Love the Whimsy necklace and hope to see it at Artfest. My sisters have a saying, "It's all about the whimsy". Indeed.
See you soon.

[Judi]

Hmmm... that was supposed to be "you AND your parents"...but then again, I do think we "are" our parents in some sense...teehee.

[distressingdelilah]

Gorgeous pictures! I enjoyed reading that post..and wish I could go to the artfest!

[Jan V.]

What a lovely post, Nina. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing your works of art. I especially like the drop earrings. I leave next Tuesday to drive across 3 provinces to be with my folks, to spend time with them at this most trying time in their lives. I too, look forward to sitting in their midst and sharing stories and laughing together. I want to take lots of pictures of them together; don't know how long Dad will be with us. I especially want to take pictures of their beautiful old hands that have completed so many tasks in their many years of living. Each day will be a treasure and I don't want to miss a thing, planning to keep a Journal of this journey I am on with them. Glad you are back on your feet and creating once again. Creativity takes alot out of one, but the rewards are oh so great.
- Jan V.

[Vicki in MIchigan]

How wonderful -- to have that time with your parents, and even more, to enjoy it so consciously.

What a perfect description of being in the moment.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

[Mary-Beth]

I am glad you are feeling better! I know you realize how fortunate you are to still have your parents. At 51 I have been an orphan LOL since '84, I still miss my mother and I realize that I have missed out on the best years of our relationship.

Your jewelry is gorgeous and I hope to one day be fortunate enough to take one of your classes, in the meantime, I'll pretend I did!

Bright warm happy days ahead!

[minnie]

turquoise the color of clarity shines in your jewelry, reflecting your soul...