Thank You

Cecilia Beaux (American, 1855-1942)

A Little Girl

A while back I got an email from someone who reads my blog and has one of her own. She wondered whether Sophie enjoyed music and told me about her own daughter who is evidently a musical wonder, singing and recording at a very young age. She wondered if Sophie would like to hear her daughter's music and gave me the links. The music is beautiful, as is this woman's blog which you can read HERE.  She asked me whether I would give her my address so that she could send me something. I said yes.

Yesterday, I opened an envelope in the mail and a cascade of dried flowers dropped onto the table with a tiny ziploc bag of a gray, powdery substance. The cover of the card was a copy of the above painting which I had never seen before. The girl resembles Sophie a bit, especially in the intensity of her eyes. Inside the card was this note:

For Sophie

Ash, also known as vibhuti,

blessed by Amma.

Dried flower petals blessed by Amma.

I had heard of Amma, the Indian spiritual teacher who is known for her smiles and hugs and unconditional love and humanitarian efforts. I believe that when she came to Los Angeles recently, she received an incredibly long line of people to embrace and just, well, love.

Thank you, T, for this beautiful gift to a stranger. It means more to me than you know.

Blogging has been an incredible experience for me -- opening my world up to a wealth of information, to people from many different cultures and countries. The people whom I've met -- YOU -- have wowed me with your writing, your photography, your advice, your wisdom, your children, your troubles, your beauty, your humor. Many of you have sent me gifts, books, cards, crafts.

I'm nowhere near Amma but I sort of see you all as this long line of people for whom I feel gratitude and even love.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.