on making art

1.23.2015

we sat on one end of a long farm table huddled over the same sampling of cheeses from hours earlier. the blackened entree that rested in the oven had long been neglected, just like the bottle of champagne, which was uncorked and three quarters empty. we continued to pick, but despite the intermittent bites and sips, conversation never broke.

the house was quiet with the children asleep in their beds and the glow from a strand of lights that adorned the mantle gave off a warmth that matched the sense of security that comes from being with people who know you. it was a night of dreaming with my fellow dreamers: getting lost in all our stories; talking about the past, laughing at all the painful discoveries and failures we made (and still make!); sighing at the memories of our triumphs and joys; sharing our present frustrations + disappointments; and revealing our future hopes + ambitions.

they say whatever it is that you are doing at midnight on new year's is what you will be doing the rest of the year. i was among two of my truest and dearest friends, feeling the most understood and the most inspired as perhaps i ever have.

two of us with new families and the other with a new career, we are living very different lives from the one we shared nearly ten years ago as flighty coeds, but there is at least one point where we still intersect: we are creatives. no matter the circumstance, there is art in what each of us are doing - working full time, parenting overtime, being in a romantic relationship, being in a loving marriage, building a home, building a community, writing blogs, writing books, teaching, coaching, observing, photographing.

the makings of a good friendship comes from people who don't impose limits on your happiness, but from those those who encourage you to test the boundaries. from those who will sit at table with you and simply say "no, you must take everything you do seriously!" when you've just offered the opposite. from those who are earnest in their work and unapologetic about it because futile or not, it's the work they chose and as their friend, it is work you sincerely support. from those who share in your excitement, not necessarily because it is something exciting to them, but because they can relate to your enthusiasm. we derive energy from our surroundings and a night in honest company reminded me that.

minutes before midnight, i jumped up from the table to wash grapes. according to custom, we had to eat twelve - one for every wish for the year - before the clock's final strike. as we frantically choked the fruit and our laughter down, i only managed to make one and it is one that i wish for you: live in it, whatever you are doing. make art of it. let it drive the intention in anything you do because the truth is, at some point we all intersect. we all create.

18 comments:

Fiona Harding said...

I love this and I hope the thought of what you were doing on midnight is a reflection on the year ahead!

Nancy said...

I wish you a very happy new year, full of creation, positive energy and love!

Petra said...

oh god. I hope what we do at midnight on new year's doesn't affect the rest of the year. I was between places and friends and literally lost. not what I want the rest of my year to be like [not that it would surprise me if that's exactly how it's going to be tho]...

Amy S. said...

How wonderful that you got such a great start to the new year. Nothing like being around people who really "get" you.
And I really agree about one of the aspects of a true friendship is being supportive of each other's endeavors, not necessarily because it's something you agree with or would want to do, but simply because it's important to your friend.

Hope the rest of your year is just as great! xoxo

melaniekay said...

Your pictures are always incredible. You make the most simple things beautiful.
Melanie @ meandmr.com

Kaylan Buteyn said...

beautiful.

AVY said...

Friendships are so important, I need to work on mine.

/Avy

http://mymotherfuckedmickjagger.blogspot.com

Hollands reverie said...

This was so beautifully poetic, well written and honest. One of my favorites I've read anywhere, what a blessing to have true friends. I just spent Friday night with my two best friends and it was the same for me, this level of comfort and appreciation regardless how different our paths are.

www.hollandsreverie.blogspot.com

Lauren said...

Such a beautiful, beautiful post, Lucinda. It's not the first time I'd heard that saying about the New Year, but *this year* IS the first time I'd heard it. Can you believe it?

It sounds like you were in the perfect place for the New Year. One that brings you a year of contentment and is rich with possibility. That's all any of us can hope for, right?

Erin said...

I really thought the "grapes at midnight" custom was made up on Modern Family, but apparently it's real! In all seriousness, I love your New Years resolution, to find art in the everyday and to live it presently and passionately. I'm also a big believer that what you're doing or how you spend NYE sets the tone for the rest of the year. It sounds like your year will be spent in the company of wonderful friends and good, reflective conversation (and laughter!). xo

Christine D. | The Plumed Nest said...

This was so SO beautifully written. I had chills with each sentence. Friendships are so important for the unwavering support they give you. You can be resolute in one thing and completely change directions and friends will cheer for both (the best friends will also help you look critically at each as they are cheering). Spending more time with some of my oldest and dearest friends is definitely one of my new years resolutions. It is so very good for the soul. xo

Hannah Smith | fox and willow said...

love this post. Not only does that sound like a perfect New Years Eve but the blessing of having true friends is such a gift! so happy for you!

Annie Montgomery said...

oh my, this is lovely! our nye in barcelona was artful mess...thanks for the cool spin on it ;)

shayla. said...

you had me at "sampling of cheeses." i'm so glad i stumbled upon your blog - i love it!!

rooth said...

I know exactly what kind of night it was! I had one of these with old high school friends in October and we lamented (again) not living closer to each other. Those are most certainly the golden moments of the year

Lizelle said...

Reading this post was delicious! What an awe inspiring recollection of events. Thank you for sharing with us a glimpse into such beauty.

mystery said...

You are incredibly talented. You haven't blogged again in a while and that makes me truly sad because your words are so beautiful. Please keep it up... wow. You literally left me with goosebumps with this writing!

MysteryBlogger

lucinda said...

haha! yes, well i was also hundreds of miles away from andy + august - the two most important people in my life - so, I guess it's about perspective. perhaps for you, 2015 will be a year of adventures; discovering new places, new friends, and finding your way. ;)

 

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