Guardian of Dreams
September 18, 2008
It is as if we all did not just make our way to a different part of the country, but to a different existence altogether…as if we were actually underwater, separated from the world, safe, hidden, cozy in our own sparkling Atlantis.
And we were there because of her.…this gorgeous, powerful mermaid, this force of nature who created a vision in her mind and then set forth to make it a reality for anyone who chose to respond to her call for action.
We came together with our own unique dreams, goals, ideas and longings. We came together with fears, trepidations, anxieties and vulnerabilities. We came with our basket of stars, with tiaras made of seashells and starfish, we came in riding seahorses that twinkled in the sunlight. We responded to her call, and when we arrived we emptied out our souls into her open arms. We trusted her. We believed in her. We looked into her eyes and we glowed.
She carried all of these little bits and pieces, all of our tiny seeds that contained mysteries within us we weren’t entirely sure existed – weren’t entirely sure what they would even look like when they blossomed – and she gently, lovingly planted them. She protected them. She nurtured them. She gave them a safe haven within which they could burst forth as brightly as possible.
The word gratitude has been my siren call this week, the word I keep coming back to again and again as I think about last week. When I distill this feeling down to its barest essence, when I peel away the layers that contain all the reasons why I feel grateful, it comes down to this: I am grateful for this woman’s passion, for her willingness to take on this role for so many creative spirits, her decision to plunge forth into all the work it took to create our magical Atlantis. I am in awe, I am proud to know her, I am humbled, I am full, I am peaceful.
My favorite book is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. In this book, a group of individuals makes the decision to walk entirely away from a society they believe is soul-crushing. They create their own hidden society, one that is centered around everyone being able to pursue their passions, ideas and visions to the fullest extent. They call this place Atlantis, and it is where they all thrived.
We don’t need to abandon our lives permanently in order to continue to blossom and grow, but how wonderful for us that this beautiful creature named Elizabeth created her own special Atlantis, a sacred space she opened up to the world. She invited us in, and we gathered. And in that gathering we were given a glimpse of something we could all use a little bit – or maybe a lot – more of: our own beauty, our own power, our own light.
Thank you, thank you, to our Guardian of Dreams, our Mermaid Queen, our Beacon.
oh sure– make me start yet ANOTHER day in tears!
Damn, you poet! You damn poet!
guardian of dreams…
i love this.
i want this job too!
xoxo
Like I told you the first night we met, I’m always looking for the joke- I just can’t help myself. Ergo, when I read this post, my first thoughts were:
1) OK, you two, break it up….
2) If you guys run away together, can I at least carry your bags?
3) Atlantis- that must be on the way to Sparkletopia?
But seriously, though, Swirl- you are an absolute gem, and it’s awesome that the gift that is YOU is now being shared with the world through your amazing book. I know it is helping to make the world a better place, even as I type these words. It was such a pleasure getting to know you, even a little, and I can’t wait until our paths cross again. Thank you so much for all the help and love and kind words you have showered on BP these last couple of months. It made a huge difference.
Oh, and you are so beautiful!
Beacoup des bisous enorme,
Dave
a heartfelt amen to that, and another amen just for good measure… beautiful
oooohhhh….so absolutely perfect, and i second that amen…and you -YOU! you are wonderful…such a glowing, sweetness…thank you for all you gave, and continue to give….linda
soooo beautifully put… yes yes yes!!!
soooo beautifully put… yes yes yes!!!
what a beautiful post….and you’ve said it best of all !!
I hope Elizabeth frames this and hangs it where she can read it everyday, just to remind herself how much we all love her and what she created for all us…
it truly was a piece of heaven, wasn’t it ?
*sigh*
oh swirls…how perfectly beautiful and right and poetic and true for our dear poppy.
{and i giggled at davey’s comment…how i adore this couple}
This is exactly the way I feel about Elizabeth and this past weekend – you put it so perfectly!
so lovely and so very true. you are wonderful, elizabeth is amazing and you are both such powerful, beautiful souls.
You amaze me girl…how is it you have time to brush your teeth when your mind, body, hands, brushes, and keyboard are going at a hundred miles an hour with such stunning thoughts and words…..I’m green with envy at your inspirational talent….love yah
beautiful. yup. just beautiful. my heart is swelling with love and gratitude for elizabeth and all that came to squam, opening their hearts to love and learn.
xoxo