Recently someone asked me, “Is Gracie your chicken or your wife?”
I replied, “Gracie is one of my absolutely amazing chickens. She is a beautiful Buff Orpington with a very gracious heart which is why she is named Gracie.”
My own heart enjoyed this question, though I am not completely sure why. I hoped this had been asked because the questioner found a special love in my words and illustrations.
I remember once, a little more than twenty-four years ago, when someone had told me, “We can never be anything more than what we are right now.”
Those words come back to me today, almost as clearly as when they were spoken on that front porch swing. It was a summer night, warm with only a light breeze. A golden retriever lay nearby, listening and trying to figure out what those words meant.
The most fragile realities seem to be the ones which depend the most on other people.
And so I wonder if that has anything to do with why I love Gracie so much. She gives me the dream of having someone to come home to, and I give her the dream of being someone to come home to…and of dancing ballet.
As long as there are stories and drawings, Gracie and I will surely be more than what we are right now…L’artiste et son beau poulet dansant…The artist and his beautiful dancing chicken.
I could tell there was still something troubling her. “What else do you want to know, Gracie?”
“In the ballet book, can you draw a picture of me dancing with you in the streets of Paris? I don’t think we will ever really get to dance there together.”
“Of course, Gracie. Drawing lets you do things you would never be able to do any other way.”
From “Seasons Of Friendship”
Each post shares a glimpse into my journey as a writer and illustrator. Every “Like,” “Follow,” and “Comment” is truly appreciated! Today is my 62nd birthday, and today just seemed to be the best day to share this story and illustration.
L’artiste et son beau poulet dansant…says it all in terms of the possibilities of becoming.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Judi. There are always possibilities!
LikeLike
Joyeux anniversaire!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Merci beaucoup, mon ami!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday!! My grandson’s birthday is today!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Ruth, and what a wonderful coincidence! I meet people all of the time, and it’s very rare to find someone with the same birthday as mine!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another blogger I follow has a birthday same day!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! Now that is a coincidence! A triple coincidence!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday John! Gracie looks perfect in Paris… a beautiful celebration!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Janet! We had a huge series of thunderstorms yesterday evening, but it was still a nice day (soggy ballet slippers and all)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Well I love thunder and rain so it sounds like a great day. 😄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday, John!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much, Olympia! It was a nice day, and I’ve appreciated all of these kind good wishes!
LikeLike
Your birthday and you’re giving us the gift: your wonderful storytelling. Lucky us! Enjoy the day! Happy birthday.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Shawn. Your encouragement is just about the best gift I could receive! Thanks again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delayed but hopefully not too late….Happy B`Day!
…and thank you for your thoughts. I had the idea that Gracie represent your better self…
Cit. “We can never be anything more than what we are right now.”…?! The person who told you this, could have been an old Indian Hindu who is trapped in a traditional caste system. Terrible.
I`ve learnt that you need drive to grow. Without any dream or vision, you won`t have orientation….and of course, the journey is the destination.
I`ve repeatedly made the experience that achieved goals are not satisfying at all….admittedly, achievements can be quite boring – in particular if they were too easy to achieve. I know, I should be thankful but I appreciate the journey much more.
And possibly, the city of Paris and the Ballet Palais Garnier & Opera Bastille is much more magic in Gracie`s dream than in reality.
Dreams are shaping us.
Gracie is a prima ballerina as you are an artist & author.
And all of us are not only “someone” but unique personalities with an universe of ideas, thoughts, needs, dreams, wishes and experiences.
Dream big….Jump!
….Assamble, changement, sissonne….et Grand Jeté!
Grand Jeté = the well-known, huge forward splits jump, landing with the other foot than the one you`ve started with.
LikeLike
No need to worry. It was a day, almost like any other, and that was quite alright with me!
Yes, dreams do shape us, and for that I am truly grateful. Perhaps that is what a good deal of these posts are about…dreaming dreams which may never come true, but at least while we are dreaming them, they work to make us better than who we are right now.
You’re right about how it can sometimes be to achieve dreams only to feel let down, as if everything has fallen flat, no lightens, no joy, no Grand Jeté!
We are all part of an immense Dance Of Life, and so we should dance joyously as we marvel at how it all flows together with an incomprehensible choreography.
C’est magnifique!
LikeLike
Yes!
But I would go even a step further…
Your dream comes true if you dream / used your imagination only.
For instance I couldn’t exercise Karate for a long time. My sensei told me I should simply use my imagination, visualize and memorize how the movement, breathing, dynamic, rhythm tension and relaxation feels.
On youtube, I found a video of a JKA team Kata (= traditional choreography) with a Karate student without real arms and legs performing a strong Kata….
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS: I would have brought you a self-made cake (for my family this sounds like a threat…but at least my cakes are capable to hold a candle…to provide you with a wish) and some wine….🌽(for the girls ) 🎂🍷🍷
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just knowing you are still around as a reader is the most wonderful gift you could give to me!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday! Best wishes many more years with Gracie and the gang.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, my friend! Much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person