When Art and Play Bring You to Tears

Sunday afternoon I reread the chapter, Guidepost #7: Cultivating Play and Rest: Letting Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol and Productivity as Self-Worth, in Brene Brown's book, The Gifts of Imperfection.  (I thought for once I'd be ready for this week's topic for MondoBeyondo's Dream Lab, the class I'm taking.)

Then I immediately took a nap where I dreamed about my friend Heather who is moving away next week back to her home state of Utah.  In my dream she had already moved and had taken pictures of some sort of Play initiative that the state of Utah was doing. (Not really happening, but that's my dream.)  So the pictures consisted of reminders to play that were found on things like stoplights and street signs.

When I awoke from this nap I felt the strangest emotions and sensations.  In an attempt to shake it off, I went to Google Reader to catch up on my blog reading.  I immediately saw this post from my sister where she shares the picture at the left and describes its meaning.  If you don't actually read it and I think you should, I'll just tell you that the hearts represent members of our family (wonder which one I am) and she explains her gratitude for each one of us.  By now I have tears streaming down my face.  You must know that she lives in another state, in Texas, and I don't see her very often.

Meanwhile, Miles is busy sitting at the kitchen table (my computer is in our dining room) and playing around with art materials.  Then he proceeds to hand me the little flower below and says it's for me.  Major tears now.

I am reminded again just how meaningful art and play are in our lives.  And how, while they can be solitary activities, they are best meant to be shared.




I should leave my post where it is but it's Valentine's Day.  On Friday I received the following tweet:

For those of you who are new to Twitterland, this was a tweet from Michael Douglas Jones who happens to be an artist.  He had spent the evening choosing sayings from candy hearts for those he follows on Twitter.  He chose TEACH ME for yours truly, playcrane.  The hashtag #FF stands for Friday Follow.  It's where you recommend people for others to follow on Twitter.  I am honored but also awed by this man's creativity with this series of tweets.

While watching the Grammys I sifted through 24 oz. of candy hearts to find these two.  Pics taken on iphone.

Happy Valentine's Day! 

I appreciate each and every one of you who take time to read my blog. 

It fills my heart.