Violet's Voice
In the spirit of the season, I'd like to use this blog entry to mark the passing of an extremely intense year and give thanks for some wonderful, creative people that have been brought into my life.
Last year at this time, I was living in Guatemala adjusting to a new culture, family, living and working situation, language etc. I had moved with promised support of a partnership and was truly excited about my new life with this person. I'll spare you the details, but after a few months my "partner" jumped ship and I found myself in a tumultuous sea of unknowns, heartbreak, statistical and financial trauma, disbelief and devastation. My friends now refer to this period as the aftermath of "Hurricane ______(insert what's-his-face's name here)." I believe the exact language was "Hearts are broken, promises are broken, so what? Are you going to be the victim of change? or the author of change?" Wait, What?!!! Apparently, I was suppose to get over it and move on. Immediately. That's normal. Right? I was too confused, hurt and scared to be angry, and I desperately tried to proceed in an enlightened, non-violent and accepting way.
Um...So how do you do that exactly?
Well friends, that's an ongoing tale to be explored, perhaps, in a different blog entry- but I digress.
Today, I want to talk about love and gratitude. There are so many people who have been stalwart in helping me reassemble my self out of the ashes of the aforementioned experience and I am grateful for all of them.
If I had never quit my job, moved to Guatemala, gotten my heart broken, my wallet stolen (and quite possibly become temporarily insane), I would have never ended up living in paradise, (a.k.a. Finca los Nietos) This is where the universe set me down and said "Ohhhhkay. You just sit right here for a bit and be quiet." The finca is where I began to be nourished back to "normal". This much needed sustenance came, not only from the ridiculously lush landscape (there's a view of volcano Agua from the front porch) but also from the amazing and huge-hearted family who owns the place. A group of equally extraordinary individuals, starting with the Ma and Pa of the clan; Ma (Christina) sculptress, cement carver, earth-worker, bestower of wisdom, installation artist and midwife! Pa (Raul), singer, percussionist and all around musician, expert carpenter, finessed coffee roaster, and followed in adoration by children all over San Lorenzo ( for good reason- children just know). Their daughter Grace, talented dancer, artist, witty, spirited, brave beauty and new mother. Grace gave birth to sweet little Matilda Rose two days after I arrived at the farm. She was so strong and full of composure, I was completely amazed. Their eldest daughter Ana (a.k.a. Nena Consuelo - designer extraordinaire) was described to me by the family as being a dose of sunshine. I happily discovered this to be true for myself when she paid a visit from Maine to meet her new niece. After being gifted a few of her jewelry pieces out on the farm, I became totally hooked. She has a brilliant eye for pungent color combinations, a unique sensibility for mesmerizing textures and her pieces offer a trademark blend of sophistication with subversive notes of a sweet flirtatiousness and wacky rebellion.
Ana's husband Rudy, who is super kind, laid-back and handsome also made the trip out to San Lorenzo from Maine. He and Ana live and work as foster parents for challenged teenagers with disabilities. They both had a lot of amazing and inspiring stories from this experience. It was real honor to spend time around them both.
I was recently privileged to reconnect with the family (this time in Maine!) which was a really wonderful experience. I finally met the famed brother Rafi, who is also a wonderful musician like his pops Raul. He plays the bass with a really rockin' band called Sly Chi, but I hear tale that he also plays the Tuba! I got the feeling he can pretty much play anything he sets his mind to. Especially since he took apart a log cabin and put it all back together somewhere else- piece by piece! I also got to meet Bri, who's married to Rafi. She was so welcoming, kind and funny. She and Rafi are parents to the lovely pink-cheeked Aja who does a mean Tina Turner impression (even though she's just over a year old).
Imagine... the halloween costumes; Dia de los Muertos lovers, not one- but TWO! blue latex Smurfs, Lady GooGoo and her paparazzi entourage, add one Betty Boop, wine of Rhubarb and tryptophan of turkey flowing through our veins, and there you have the makings of the warm and wacky Thanks-Ween weekend we had. Surfing on the halo of this good hearted gathering, I was even able to make it through airport security with a 3ft mat cutter! (you should have seen the looks on faces as we were boarding the plane- not the best way to make friends in the airport). The mat cutter was one thing, even when they found the BLADE that we thought we removed (oops) when they found the rhubarb wine, wild blueberry jam & maple syrup I had forgotten about cramming in my carry on (yep. oops again.) I heard one of the gathering group of very disapproving guards mutter as he shook his head, "SOME-body missed the memo."
Upon my return to NYC, mat cutter in hand, I switched on the radio and what I heard completely stopped me in my tracks. I can't tell you who was speaking, or exactly what they said BUT, the gist was that sometimes we are unable to move out of suffering untilwe're able to receive and confirm a blessing that has come from the circumstances of the suffering. I was immediately struck that this statement embodied my joy of knowing this family. I am so grateful for the colorful collective of individuals I call my family and all the circumstances (sometimes painful ones) that have brought us all together.
Please let the people in your world know how much you celebrate them whenever you have the chance.
Find Nena Consuelo's Jewelry & Gifts here:
Find Rafi's band here:
Find Finca los Nietos and listen
to Raul's music here:
See images of Christina's work posted here.
Painting by Grace
Beautiful words -- how profound it is, what the heart can endure with the help of friends, family and insight such as yours.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful lady!
ReplyDeletemuch love, jessalynn