Has it ever happened, that you are skipping through life, delighted and at peace… Humming along, when all of a sudden you feel yourself getting sucked into one of "life’s little cracks?" The kind where your favorite shoe slowly starts to slip into an abyss, and your knees turn to water… The kind that makes you feel like the thread of a long balloon, is slipping out of your fingers… You might find yourself in shock, other times in dismay… Those times that feel like, only one little grey cloud has formed in the sky, and you know it is just for you…
It seems that many people that I love and care about are going through times just like this. Some are work related, some health related, others are relationship related. So many life things swirling about…
Many people out there, right at this very moment, feel like they are spiraling down into some unknown place…
I for one am a purveyor of trying to see the hopeful side of things. Of keeping the faith. But, sometimes life just throws you a curveball. And, I try not to discount a person’s feelings. The term "get over it," does not sit well with me. Sometimes a person doesn’t have it in them to be strong. We all need a little nest that we can hide in and sob…
You just might wake up to find a little unexpected cloud. When these things happen to us, are we ever prepared? Do we have a place to crawl into to feel warmth? To be held in a protective cocoon? To have "numb" time. I feel helpless sometimes, in that I can’t help my friends. I lend an ear. I lend my time and my heart… And maybe, that is all a person really needs?
There aren’t just the stairs that seemingly lead downwards… There are stairs that lead you upwards… The destination point, might seem unknown as you start to climb… But, after a bit of a childlike fit, I always try to climb… Searching for a happy space once again…
One thing I love is that I can call on my family. Even when I don’t realize that I need them. I might take that impromtu visit to my parents house.. And as I enter the house, I hear my dad holler, "I just bought some Pan Dulce." (Spanish sweet treats.) He follows that with "just because you were coming…" And I think, "Why this is a cozy little nook, I so needed this…"
As I head for that first sweet buttery treat filled with a smooth mild cream cheese, I think. "Boy my dad is funny." And I realize that my mom has not only set this on her usual pewter tray, she has used thick pink doilies. I am blissfully aware that the Pan Dulce, the doilies, the coffee brewing… These are snippets of love…
And, as we stand around chatting. Taking little pieces here and there (My mom repeating "get a plate"), I know this is my lovely cloud on this very day. Above all, I know that this is where I am totally safe. Safe to be me. Safe to cry. Safe to share. And, I realize, this is something special…
We continue to nibble, never taking plates. Sharing stories back and forth. Loving each moment.
It is lovely to have a little place to go to, when in need of a friend or family member. Some of us, like to cope alone. Retreating to a quiet space to read or write. Others enjoying a group of people, to sing and carry on with… I for one, am simply glad, that I have found you and you have found me… And, on occassion, we can just open up like this and chat…
Oh Vanessa…home sweet home indeed….
This is the first place I ‘stopped by’ after a LONG Long day for a bit of fanciful stories.
Don’t mind if I help myself to a piece of Pan Dulce and enjoy your sweet company…
how do you do it…you post things that are already swirling around in my own head before i even get over here to read that you wrote just how i was feeling.
There is apart of me that wants to share, to whine like a big baby when things are bad, to find friends to share with and cry on shoulders, etc (if only they did not all live so far far away!!!!!)…then there is the other half of me that pulls up inside my little shell to mope alone, so as not to burden others with my woes, of which thre seems to be a tiresome collection of this year!!!
MY shell seems to be the safest place for me these days. But it was lovely to visit you, to drool over your delicious Pan Dulce, and as always, my heart lifts with all you share. Thank you for being beautiful.
love from the snail-shell!
xoxox
There is sublime comfort in the familiar….be it within the company of our family of origin or our family of choice. There is comfort in being able to spill from our heart and know there will be someone to catch the contents and keep them safe. I have always been one that is better at catching other falling hearts than my own – but when it helps someone my own spirit is uplifted in the process. I am also glad I found you and that you found me and that we ALL found each other!
Here’s a red balloon….don’t let it go!
XOXOXO
Vanessa~
I have the same thing at my parents house. The nest. Mum bird and Dad bird. And all the comforts. I guess we are lucky. We should cherish these moments with our parents.
Last night I felt my shoe slipping into the abyss…one of life’s cracks in the pavement.
My man said, Count your blessings…You have your blog! You have your art! Two beautiful daughters! A great business! Great friends~! A great husband!
A what? Says I. Okay, he says, A great me! You have me!
I started laughing and immediately felt lighter. Sometimes the safe place is with someone who understands you.
xo
Blue
MWAH!
I know exactly what you are talking about! (and I love the imagery of cozying up in a nest… I just might have to paint that)
Your parent’s house sounds just wonderful. May I come over for some Pan Dulce, too? 😉
Thank you again for sharing your lovely world. You are a treasure to us all.
Ahhhh….lately? Not to sound too sappy, but my nest is right here. It seems I always feel better after a trip through the secret keyhole. And for that….I thank you! 🙂
Pass the Pan Dulce please?
This was so lovely, come to my house for Red Velvet?
I found your site at Tongue in Cheek. How lucky for me. Your blog today was so “on the nose”! Lovely, very lovely.
i bet everybody thinks you wrote this just for them. that is quite a gift, thank you vanessa…
Miss Vanessa Havershim who nibbles on Pan Dulce (I love the pink ones) and wears pretty rings on her fingers…you made me laugh so hard telling me to wear 12″ wide and 7″ bows on my head! Hah!Hah!
I am just like that first comment, this was my first stop after what can only be called a poopy day. That is right a POOPY day! (I do hang out with the elementary school crowd you know!) I am so glad to have found this little blog-have too. I love my hubby but they sometimes do have a tendency toward that get-over-it thing. See, I vented and I already feel better! I do hope I am creating that kind of a haven for my kids–not today mind you–today was more of a run-for-your-life-mom-is-ticked kind of day. But hey, after shutting the baby’s fingers in the door, messing up my newly scrubbed house and a whole lot of whining tomorrow is still brand new and hey school starts monday! Thanks for that mentioned listening ear and big ole heart of yours.
Oops that woudl be blog-haven, really ought to proof-read before I post…
Yes, a treasure to us all and you know how I love treasures!!!
You did write this just for me, didn’t you Curiosa? And your art piece about the crack is wonderful 🙂
I love the stairway to heaven!
i HATE it when someone tells me, “get over it!” i want to scream at that! i LOVE pan dulce too! i love the pink concha ones, and the empanadas de calabasa…they are great with the mexican hot chocolate, ibarra! mmm!
Oh Vanessa, you are so right, everyone needs somewhere like that. And friends in the blogging world are very precious, I’m glad we found each other too xxx.
ok I often tell the kids to get over it. But not when it is important! I tell my self to get over more, even when it is important. I nest with the BigGuy. He is my comfort most of the time. BUT I still need my mom and dad! I get to go there 2 sometimes 3 times a week. I am lucky. I am having an up the stairs time now. I feel much better, thanks so much for the well wishes!
Love Erin~:)
Oh so perfectly expressed….I thank goodness gracious every day that I still have my wonderful Mom and Dad to go to…..I love them so!
And…..your sweet treats have left me quite hungry, my Dear! 🙂 Those look divine!
Now I think I’ll go call my Mom!! 🙂
Oh this was so sweet, it really made me wish and long for my parents house….a place that no longer exists except in memory.
now I just have my bubs who brings home “sweet biscuits” from work…but that’s wonderful too.
It is wondeful that you recognize and treasure those moments spent with your parents. I so wish I had that! It is so sweet that they pull out the things that they know will put a twinkle in your eye! Everyone needs a safe haven. At this point, for me, it’s my own home.
I do so appreciate my love all the same things twin, too! 😉
Do you think we could arrange for an adoption? I need a Mom & Dad like yours. I promise I won’t eat all the Pan Dulce, even though I’ve never had any before and it looks so yummmyyy in my tummyyy….I do eat for comfort sometimes and pasta usually does it for me. Life is so difficult sometimes! I wish it were easier! But, then I read Blogs like yours and my balloon has filled with hope again and I’m flying high…into the sky….Thanks Vanessa! For being so sweet and upbeat and joyful!
Your posts are always so great. This one is extra sweet. Thank you for sharing…oh I’ve never heard of Pan Dulce, looks yummy. Today I will attempt to make biscotti. yikes!!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful safe family place with us.
Lovely and loving post…how lucky you are to have such a loving family and a place to go for nurishmen…both spiritual and physical.
My place is in my own home and studio and sometime getting lost in a beautiful book…and lately on lovely blogs…your blog being one.
Lovely. I really needed a post exactly like this today. Thank you for being you!
Boy…isn’t it the truth? I was thinking, maybe that’s why I make such big bags…so, I can crawl right in them if I need to hide. I love your parent’s house, it reminds me of my mother’s…where you can really be you! And, I have a friend who says everytime she’s at my house, “I never want to leave!”
Big hugs out to all who are going through life challenges…be strong enough to not “get over it” but “go through it” no matter what that looks like to you…be gentle, take time, feel, and be good to yourselves!
oh those look so yummy and comforting…what a perfect treat. It’s nice to have places to get away to where you can relax and just enjoy yourself as you hide from that pesky little cloud. I sometimes can’t even get as far as letting it out to have other people to tell me to “get over it”, I do it to myself…but I think it’s important to let yourself feel and be vulnerable too. Thank you for sharing days like this, it makes it easier for me to share too and really means a lot 🙂
What a lovely post…your words fell upon my heart as if you were speaking directly to me. It’s always nice to be able to go home and enjoy in the warm embrace of family and friends and indulge a little in life’s pleasures! Sometimes, we just need to refill our hearts with joy!
I feel so lucky that, like you, I can always retreat to my folks’ place, the home where I grew up. What a wonderful luxury! As I am living through one of those times right now, I think a visit over there just may be in order. Thanks for reminding me of where I can always go.
That said, I long to be that person. To be the friend that someone comes to when they need to feel loved and cherished. I don’t know if I have quite succeeded in that yet, but it is something I’d like to work on. Thanks for another gentle reminder.
You’re awesome.
Dear Vanessa,
Your post stirs and touches me today. Little tears are in my eyes. I do so need the loving anchor and the safety net of the unconditional love!! I need it from my Mother, my friends including Bloglandia friends.
I’m usually happy, but sometimes dier need of support.
What special parents you have. It is evident by the person you are!
Where would we all be without one another?
beautifully uplifting indeed, and i love the symbolic imagery:)
Hope you are well, honey!
xxxxxx
hey, pssst! I just found out about The Bloglandia Ball!!!!! I am so excited! And, not only that but go check out Artsy Mama’s Sweet & Sinister Swap!!!! chica chica yeeeeah! oh, and I am in Cloth, Paper, Scissors- It comes out Sept 5th but subscribers should already have theirs!!!! yeehaw!!!! Won’t Mom & Dad be proud?
love your posts Vanessa! for me my ‘falling in the cracks/gray clouds’ is always about work…how very sad that I let work get to me!
but yes, its nice to have comfort amongst people who really care!
now those cakes/pastries look scumptious – clever daddy of yours to get some for you!!!
Vanessa – you are a rare & wonderful person
you’ve posted something that has hit home with me, yes we all need a secure retreat if only for a bit. yes a place to feel loved and for many people i guess that would be home (it is for me). I hold high hopes for my oldest teenager right now who is going through difficult rebellious days of growing up (facing reality) I trust that he can find rest and comfort at home once again one day, just like you have. that’s a beautiful thing.
Snippets of love….
Love it!
This post is so wonderful…
Security…
Safety…
Unconditional love…
Ahhhhhh….
This is exactly my week. Sympatico…. and why my favorite hymn is Lead Kindly Light..
Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom, lead Thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; lead Thou me on!
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou shouldst lead me on;
I loved to choose and see my path; but now lead Thou me on!
I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!
So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still will lead me on.
O’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile, which I
Have loved long since, and lost awhile!
Meantime, along the narrow rugged path, Thyself hast trod,
Lead, Savior, lead me home in childlike faith, home to my God.
To rest forever after earthly strife
In the calm light of everlasting life.
I wish that I really felt this way in my heart.. but sadly am still a recovery control freak who wants to know that everything will work out for everyone.. when sometimes it doesn’t…
Hope the sun comes out soon V. Love, Tif
ohh…
such a great posting!
hope you don’t mind,
but
i just HAD to take a nibble
of some of your sweets…
as i have rings on my fingers
i thought you would not mind!
🙂
[ i am wishing you a sunny sky ]
What an amazing and insightful post. The pictures follow your message so wonderfully that it inspired me further. I have a couple friends are going through this exact thing. You’ve explained it so eloquently.
What a warm post, so wonderful to be reminded of friends and family around whom we can run to on a cloudy day…the unconditional love and Pan Dulce 🙂 That will surely make anyone feel better? Hope you’re well.
Reading your posts is always an adventure! I never know where you are taking me and its always a nice surprise!
All of the treats look yumm-i-lishous. I esp. love the jewels! 🙂
YES!! To having a safe place! Yes to pan dulce with Mombie and papa. AND YES I am glad I got to meet YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Love,
Constance