A year ago my friend Merisis invited me to the carnival in Venice. It was unbelievably beautiful. I spent most my time in utter awe at the costumes that reflected another era, playing out on the stage of Venice. It could have been the year 1720 or 2012 it was the same.
Every morning Merisi and I went San Marco Square to take photographs of the display of beauty. We returned late evening to write about our experiences. My mind was flooded with light, texture, ideas, color… the imagination/spiritual door to my soul was open wide.
No matter where I stood, no matter where I looked up or down, Venice seem to be poised on perfection. There was much to inspire to, much to long for, it made me desire to live artistically, fully every moment I could.
My friend and I had planned to go again this year. We would have been there now, today Mardi Gras. Freezing but not noticing the cold, while happily trying to capture the beauty around us. Unfortunately, life had another avenue set before me. My friend tried to commit suicide, and has been in the hospital, intensive care, for three weeks. (Not Merisi another friend.)
A week ago he opened his eyes, yesterday he spoke, and today he spoke to me in English, which he never does.
Wonders such as these make the landscape of friendship deep and profund, complex and rich.
I was sad not to go to Venice. Though being next to my friend is where my heart wanted to be.
When I see my friend I put my hand on his cheek, or on his chest and I say in silence, "May the prayers, good thoughts and deeds being said or done for you today bring you healing to where you want to be healed."
Today my friend said in English, "Oh your hand is so warm.'"
To be thankful for what is given to us, to embrace the pain and the hope, and trust.
Yesterday I asked what superpower you would like to have…
most of us want the power to love, to heal, to feel deeply, to connect…
Chicago Sheila said,
"…I remember the first time that I said "I love you" to a boy…the courage to be able to say it because I felt it, the nervousness of how he would react, the butterflies, and the pure lightheadedness that I relived again and again after saying it and the pure joy that was his response…pure wonderfulness.
THAT feeling is the superpower that I would like to have–to give to others to feel again and again. All is right with the world when you have that feeling."
"To fly.
To soar free like un oiseau.
The first place I would fly to would be Provence. I would soar over a lavender field…among the ruins on top of Les Baux…into les calanques … I would join the swallows circling thechurch steeples… Deep, deep into la garrigue of Pagnol. I would sleep then in an ancient olive tree in Renoir's garden in Vence.
Even as a child I dreamed of flying.
Wanderlust."
And so today is Mardi Gras, and Venice is transformed into a marmalade of beautiful costumes against backdrops that seem to come alive, heavenly cakes and chocolates scent the air. It is living a tradition to celebrate the sweet and delicious before the fast of lent.
Chicago Sue and Susan Young please send me your address for a little gift.
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