Sally’s depiction of Tibetan Nuns
“Passion in life…is life. It’s contagious. Get naked and roll around in it.”
―
You know that dream where you show up at school, unprepared for the big test? And, because dream pain needs to be humiliating too, you realize you’re standing in a hallway full of students staring and laughing at your lack of clothing. Unprepared and naked.
You know that dream, right? Please say yes, or I may have to consider therapy.
Anyway, a few months ago one of my former college professors emailed. I admit my first thought was, Did I forget to hand in an essay back in the day?*
But, no, it turns out he wanted permission to share my Capstone paper with a current student. I thought that was pretty sweet. The fact that he remembered my Capstone project was aw-shucks worthy, but that he felt it would help another student was ultra-nice. But wait! It gets better!
The student, Sally, is 72 years old and working on her Masters. She is a life-long learner and an artist continuing to find ways to express herself when the muse visits. Yes! I love women with no expiration dates!
www.MnArtists.org/Sally-Warlick
A short while after receiving my paper, Sally, being the nice person she is, sent a lovely email expressing her appreciation. She also mentioned she had Googled me because she was curious about my photography.
One photograph, of a group of Tibetan Nuns, captured her heart. Sally told me she felt compelled to create her version of it, and then she’d give it to me.
My photograph of the Tibetan Nuns
Sally’s initial vision in pastels
I was excited and flattered. How fun is it to be the catalyst for another artist? Answer? VERY fun.
Sally kept me updated on her progress and when the piece arrived recently, well, I was deeply moved. I saw the work she had put into her creation. I felt her hands forming the images and her heart beating in every miniature nun. It is a gift and a connection I will always cherish.
As an introvert, I tend to live inwardly. It’s difficult to be open to new relationships, even if they are fleeting.
And yet.
Sometimes extraordinary people enter our lives quite unexpectedly.
Sometimes professors reach out from the past and create bridges.
Sometimes our stories mingle, and new chapters evolve.
Sometimes it’s good to concede control. To be vulnerable in the sense of being unprepared and naked in our allowing.
And that is a dream is worth having.
*Dr. Nerney, it is always a pleasure hearing from you. But I did hand in all my work, right? Right?
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