Sometimes I want to make myself teeny tiny. Throw on a lovely gnome hat and run away with my deer friends…
To a place where vintage cardboard pink houses line the checkered streets… And, sparkles fall from the sky… Really, is that too much to ask? I can see a deer friend trotting in now…
It could be quite dreamy right? Maybe just a few days a year? I know, you think I have fallen off Mr. Lovee’s hippie chair right? I want to live in a place where there is no real world stuff. But, I guess that just does not exist does it? Even in Animal Farm… Either way, my dear friend and I escaped into another world yesterday…
We made another world come alive…
A world where real toy shops, with wooden jointed puppets & hand sewn garments really do exist (deep in the depths of antique stores that is…). And after shopping, girls giggled over hummus, falafel and gyros… A world where noone cares what we smelled like when we left Sinbad’s Palace… A place where we bought whatever we wanted. Girly and lovely things, abound…
Wonderful December magazine issues and fabric shopping!!! Victoria Magazine is back! Look at Tasha Tudor’s gown collection, swoon, swoon swoon! And Mary Engelbreit is wonderful too!!! Look at that mantel vignette!!
What we were hiding from, in our invented world, is the fact that life has kicked my friend’s tushie rather hard lately. She was extra stylish (her words) in her weird glasses the eye doctor put on her dialated eyes (an outing before the shopping and laughing). Not to mention the saddest part. My dear friend just lost her youngest son to a trecherous battle with cancer… She has lupus, and she is having eye surgery that will keep her upside down for 22 hours a day for 10 days (starting December 13th). She is single and lives alone, that doesn’t make things easier… (did I mention she walked with a cane through our shopping excursions because she broke her toe two nights ago… (and she laughs about it!)
But, in light of all of this, she was laughing, giggling mad, and trying to keep tea from pouring through her nostrils. She is a strong, sensitive, wonderful woman. A potter, a painter, an archeologist, a business woman, a friend, a mother. Somehow through rasing three sons alone and losing one, she has managed to hold it together. She talks about her life with a mad innocence you want to bottle. She is full of love for life, for nature! She grasps new things with an open mind, eager to learn… She amazes me.
She makes me realize that everything is always going to be okay. You have to hold on to memories, to the future, to today, and to faith. Don’t get me wrong, her pain for the loss of her son is palpable. But we talk about him and we cry and laugh, and then cry and laugh some more…
Mr. Lovee had a horrible car accident a couple years ago. I remember the fear I felt, and the awful times we faced during his recovery. I remember wishing that we could have our lives back. I would pray hard, for just one day in the life of how things used to be… And, of course, over time, Mr. Lovee was 99% back to normal. Boy, do we embrace life…
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring… So we have to laugh and love all we can. I know there are so many things I should do. I don’t see my family as much as I should. I don’t see my darling grandparents as much as I should.
But I think of them all of the time. I talk to my mom a bizillion times a day… Although, seeing things through my friend Carolyn’s eyes… Through the eyes of such profound loss, really puts things into perspective… Like, why do I worry and freak out about the things that I do? Does it really matter? What matters is the love for the people we have in our lives & the support we give and receive. But how do we remember that when silly life things derail us?
All that comes to mind right now is, Dance in the forest of your imagination… Live and love all you can…
Below is another song composed (as well as all instruments performed) by my amazing brother, Adam, to accompany one of my art pieces. Memory of the dance in the forest… I thought it was appropriate to share at this time…(to listen to all collaborations to date, visit my website VanessaValencia.Com, under Musique)
Hugs a bunch. See you soon!
Your friend sounds like a strong woman and someone we could all learn from. I will keep her in my thoughts and hope that her eye surgery goes well.
(My mom had lupus….a disease not that well-known.)
This was the best, most beautiful, most moving and heartfelt and perfectly put posting! My heart goes out to your brave and strong friend….I know I could not be so strong. And my….how strong and brave you are,too….I worry about such things happening almost daily..I’m so glad Mr. Lovee is safe and sound and you are both well and together and thankful…I am thankful for every day…and try to remember it’s only for a short time we are blessed to be here.
And to step back into the little details of life….your holiday scenes are so adorable…and your fabric is making me drool! And I loved that spread in Victoria….even if the accessories were a little weird. 🙂
Oh, my….and your brother is such a talent!! So lovely!! 🙂
a very touching post. your friend is an example to us all, and a gift also, when we know someone like this we gain a more valuable perspective on life.
i also know someone with lupus. a pretty strange and disturbing illness. thankfully she doesnt have it too bad.
now, for the glittery goodness, you make me want christmans to hurry the hell up and get here by morning….and i really must put more effort into sprucing this place up now that i have seen such seasonal interior delights over at your deserty wonderland.
xxx
What a wonderful post. I have a belief that God allows certain people to have immense tragedy in their life because He has also given them the ability to transfigure it into great beauty. Sounds like your friend is one of those. They inspire us all to live better lives and to make the most of what we have. Thanks for sharing that.
I’m also so glad that your Mr. Lovee is ok, and that the two of you could still be together. I can’t imagine if my Trina was taken away, what it would be like. mmm.
I’ll listen to the song soon 🙂
Wow..so much to comment on but mostly Thank you for keeping it real as they say. As a mom of a 2 yr. old I worry about his safety and health alot and everytime I get something in the mail from St. Judes or hear about kids dying I cant fathom what that would be like and I hope I never do. Your friend must be an incredible person to have such strength do deal with that and her own health issues. Sending positives thoughts her way!
Your photos are so fun and I too am happy about Victoria (and M.E.) :)Wonderful post!
-Christine
What a beautiful post Miss V. I wish your good friend so well. We must cherish the beautiful, the fun, the important.. I think that’s part of what we are supposed to be doing here.. and you do all of that so very well.
This was just absolutely perfect. You are magic.
Ok, so at first I was distracted by the houses. Because… WANT!
But as I read on, I’m realizing yet again how blessed my life is. I’m abundantly blessed. And I know that! But, thank you for the reminder.
We will all be holding good healing loving thoughts for your friend… starting on the 13th!
What a lovely post! You always put things so nicely. I love little reminders like this post to help me keep perspective. It is so easy to get tunnel vision and think what I have right now is all there is. I hate to think of my kids all grown up and gone, but isn’t the alternative awful! Lots of love to your friend, I hope things only get better for her. and how adorable are your sweet little things!
thank you thank you thank you…
miss most wonderful fancy
I am getting more and more accustomed to your marvelous world…
LOBE LOBE LOBE – well… you know
lovely of lovelies – sending you mine…
xox – eb.
and thank you again1
well – that is – thank you again!!!!!!!!!!!!
xox – eb.
what a timely, inspiring post!! I need to remember to take each moment, each day at a time. your friend sounds like such a role model–someone I’d love to emulate her attitude towards life!!
thank you so much for this post… I really needed to read something along these lines. 🙂
hope you’re having a lovely day!!
Nothing wrong with wanting to escape, who doesn’t? And your friend sounds like a great woman. 🙂
I love Cody Foster houses, I love Gyros beyond belief (the yummy cucumber sauce!), and I love you Miss Vanessa for the way you look at the world.
I’ve printed out this post to remind me that the very things I find Earth shattering are not so much compared to the experiences of someone such as Carolyn. Not that my battles are any less hard fought, but they are indeed of less importance. Thank you for reminding me of that….
As you know, my best to Carolyn, I pray that things turn around for her. She is absolutely in my thoughts!
OMG! I just listened to Adam’s song, and since I am oh so lucky enough to own the original painting of “Memory of the Dance”, I shall never look at it the same! The music is positivly ethereal! It is perfect for the painting….I love it! Way too much talent in the Valencia family…you are all so amazing!
a beautiful post Vanessa…i love your little dream world you’ve created…life does have its ups and downs huh?
so sorry to hear about your friend, may her son be at peace and i hope she can find strength in such a difficult time…ive heard of Lupus but dont know much about it…she does seem like an inspiring woman and its so great of you to post this great blog post so we can all remember what is important in life!
have fun sweet pea!
Your post brought many little tears to my eyes. I agree that we do have to appreciate all we have and each day that we are here on earth with the ones we love.
My heart goes out to your friend. She sounds like such an inspiring person. Hope all goes well for her surgery.
A beautiful post, poignant and stirring. You have made me stop and think…thank you for sharing. Bless your friend and hope all goes well with her eye surgery. Bless you too, Dear Heart.
What a SWEET mantle and mirror! I’ll keep Carolyn in my prayers! And yes, here is another poem to your brother’s BEAUTY FULL Music! I HOPE he doesn’t mind me playing here! OK,
“A Big Joy”
Where is that big rock
I used to sing on?!!
That herd of cows
that were my friends
they loved to hear
me sing
and I loved
hearing them
eat grass
I feel eyes
are upon me
but I sing
and dance
anyway
among the trees
My Lucy is off chasing shadows
and I think
Maybe I am
a teacher of
gaiety
and
joy
maybe they are
dancing
now
teaching someone
or something
else
gaiety and joy
and someone or something
is watching them
joy for
the morning
tea for the afternoon
marshmellows
and
woodsmoke
for the evening
dance
dance
dance
to your heart’s
content
gaiety
sweet dreams
to us all
joy
joy
joy
and dance
among the trees
You won’t ever be
forgotten
your spirit
lives on
there
that’s where you
learned to
dance
among the trees
You’ll live forever
and dance
dance
dance
to your
heart’s content
I wish I was
there now
among the trees
I’ll meet you there
dance
dance
dance
O! what a Big joy!
Cro
ps. I’m GLAD Carolyn has such a sweet friend!!!
Thank you. Thank you for this lovely post. I forget as I go thru each day, how minor most of my problems really are. Your friend is amazing. And so are you for sharing her story with us. I love the way you write.
I really enjoyed your brothers composition.
Penny
Such a testimony to strength…what a wonderful post about your sweet friend! She is blessed to have you in her life!
smiles, kari and kijsa
oh vanessa, while you were writing to me, i was knee deep in finishing up my own post. then here i come to find out what my sweet friend is up to in her fanciful world.
i will pray for your dear carolyn. and for you too. she will need the distraction that you can give her. i concur with kari and kijsa about her blessing of you as a friend. i know when i’ve been through trials, having friends i can laugh and cry with is what makes life bearable…
a double dose of XXooos for you vv 🙂
What a beautiful post, my thoughts will be with your friend to ease her spirit. And the music and painting, Well, just AMAZING!
Sandra Evertson
Sweet Vanessa…this is the most lovely post. I adore your quote “Dance in the forest of your imagination… Live and love all you can…”. Completely beautiful.
xoxoxo…jenn
My dearest Vanessa, such a beautiful post, which shows your warm heart and wonderful soul. And Carolyn is such a strong woman – but even strong women need good friends and she is lucky to count you as one. I know you will be a tremendous help to her during these difficult times. Glad you had a wonderful day together, despite all the troubles. You are an inspiration. xoxox
Oh, and your brother Adam – well what can I say, that hasn’t been said??!! He has real talent. Thanks for letting us hear this latest composition. So lovely! xoxox
Today I found your blog. Not sure how I got here, but I am glad I did. You are a delight and I will be back for more. You are so blessed to have your special friend, and she, you. I believe it’s not coincidence, the people we meet in life. It’s all part of the big picture. Some people are so amazing. I guess we need them, to remind us how truely blessed we are. Do you suppose they are angels put here on earth?
Your brother is a talent, and so are you. The music was perfect for you art. Lovely. I’ll go back for more.
Our blogs are different, but I hope you will visit.
Happy day.
Carole
Thank you for sharing this story, Carolyn is blessed to know you (relationships and good memories are the sugar & spice of life). An amazing lady, happy you can spend time in the land of much needed make-belief (great magazine images).
Is that Victoria Magazine you say???? Those images are so lovely, I might need to find that magazine around here.
you are wonderful I love you
xoxoxo
OH wow. I knew someone who also had to be upside down for a detached retina…nearly impossible to do this…so glad she has you…her amiga curiosa to meet some of her needs and keep her giggling!
You and Adam must go on tour!!! First stop~Kentucky!
What a thoughtful post. Regards and best wishes to your friend.
I love your little gnome vignette and the wonderful sneak peak and review of a two of my favorite magazines. I love that Victoria magazine is back too.
Lisa
Very inspiring post. Your friend sounds amazing. I need to save this post to remind me to focus on the good things when I have a bad day and to remember that my silly little problems aren’t really that bad. x
your friend is an inspiration to us all who complain over little things. really.
wanna meet for tea at the pink house this weekend?
I love this post so much. It is so very poignant and I love that you throw that into your blog from now and then. I will send prayers for your friend during all the hard times she is facing. I will send prayers for you for being such a wonderful friend to her. You are the best.
xo… KB
P.S. I was excited to see that Victoria is back too! Yay!
Praying for you to be and have all the support and love from your friends forever!
I am sure they and your family helped you to be the wonderful gracious enchanting person you are! And for Mr. Lovee, too 😉
P.S. I am so glad I “met” you. I am so happy I wrote to you that day!!!
What a sad but beautiful story. I can’t imagine what your friend is going through….I just can’t. I worry all the time, it makes me crazy! And, your brothers music is so lovely!! He is one talented guy!! 🙂
I just found your blog and love it. So sorry to hear about your friends loss. I had a roomate from college that has Lupus and know how hard it is to live with this disease never mind losing the most precious thing of all, a child. I am glad to hear she is in good spirts dispite the horrors. As a mother of two boys I could not imagine her grief. I will keep her in my prayers this holiday season. If she ever watches John Edward from Crossing over she will know that he has left her in this phsyical world but is still around her. This man gives soo many peace it is unbelievable. I hope that in time she can heal from this, again my prayers.
You made me cry…and your friend is so blessed to have you as part of her life and her world.
Hugs for your friend. That’s great that she can still see the light and let laughter in her life…more power to her!!
I’m so glad Mr. Lovee survived his accident!
Oh…well, you freak out because you feel deeply about your life…your experiences, the people involved, and the journey…you’re supposed to care deeply about who you are and what you’re going through…no matter what that is…right?
OK…ahem…I have a little glitter Santa Gnome just like yours…only pastel pink and light green…and I am deeply jealous and excited both about your little glitter village! Martha S. has a kit this year at Michaels…but I was thinking it was a bit cheezy…I do love the little villages though…
My heart feels heavy with the saddness I cannot fathom the loss of a child it shakes me to the core. Your dear friend is blessed to have you as your friendship is such a gift.
Vanessa this is simply a lovely post that I will carry with me throughout the day.
XOX
Kristen
Vanessa, Thank you for that. What a wonderful post to think about before this crazy time of year.
We should all get a little lost this season and have a wonderful time finding our way back
Okay. Wow! ..Did I need to hear THAT!!!…THe Universe works in funny ways. Thank you for writing this . It made me think..think. Really THink.
Oh to lose a son, or any child…
My god. How devastating. Even the strongest faith in life would be knocked down by that. It sounds like Carolyn is trying really hard to deal well with all life is throwing at her. You are a wonderful friend, by giving her support and companionship. We all need someone to cry with. But in her circumstance, it must be hard because not many people would know how you feel.
And then the eye and toe thing! (What is she refusing to see, or understand?)
I wish her more than well, and keep her in my heart. As a mom, when I read this I felt a knife-like pain in my soul.
Vanessa, you and your brother weave such magic with art & music, my heart skipped a beat when I heard the sleighbells…he is talented as are you, poo.
xo
Gillian
Oh to lose a son, or any child…
My god. How devastating. Even the strongest faith in life would be knocked down by that. It sounds like Carolyn is trying really hard to deal well with all life is throwing at her. You are a wonderful friend, by giving her support and companionship. We all need someone to cry with. But in her circumstance, it must be hard because not many people would know how you feel.
And then the eye and toe thing! OH dear. I wish her more than well, and keep her in my heart. As a mom, when I read this I felt a knife-like pain in my soul.
Vanessa, you and your brother weave such magic with art & music, my heart skipped a beat when I heard the sleighbells…he is talented as are you, poo.
xo
Gillian
Oh Vanessa my heart and prayers go out to your friend and I will keep her in my thoughts. She sounds like an awesome lady full of strength and grace. She is very fortunate to have such a loving friend as you seem to be. When life gets too hard for me to face, I escape to “Janet”s Planet” which is a wonderful place without all the real world stuff where only creativity and joy resides. You and your friend are more than welcome on my planet anytime! 🙂
Lovely post Vanessa.
Wow- what a wonderful post! really puts everything in perspective! What a joyous and positive outlook on life, even at its hardest moments! We will keep these thoughts close!
blessings,
kari & kijsa
I am not sure why life had to give Carolyn such a hard kick in the keester. She is such a lovely lady. I love the Matruska(I know I didn’t spell that right) doll she gave me. Do you think that sometimes the universe puts people in situations to make others realize how good they have it? I mean Carolyn is a darling. Anyone that knows her wants her to be happy. She is the last person to deserve anything bad in life. I guess the growing pains never stop, no matter how old we get…
Yes, I’d most certainly like to join you in that special world. I go in my mind as much as possible.
Glad Lovee’s back. I had two car wrecks that changed me in a good way forever, in the same ways you changed.
Beautiful You Tube. Your so Fanciful!
Hi to Lovee!
People like your friend are Strong, loving, inspirational people, and sometimes the reason we are able keep going. They give us an insight to life, that is worth living no matter what may come our way. That we HAVE to enjoy it and make it the best we can. She is in my prayers.
Love Erin~
Vanessa, What a wonderful post! And what wonderful friends you are to each other. You are both blessed to have each other.
If we could sit upon a little stool and gaze out the window of the tiny, glittery, pink cottage we would understand that it is individuals like your friend who really see the big picture.
Carolyn has learned that as painful as it is sometimes, life goes on. She must draw her strength from that.It is the negative experiences that make us better people with a passion for living. You’ve learned that first hand.
Thankyou for sharing Vanessa and for letting Carolyn inspire us to take nothing for granted.
Susan
Hello Vanessa your friend sounds like a very brave soul, sometimes the horriblest things happen to the nicest people and it just seems so bloody unfair.
I find myself worrying over simple things, too. Then, I’ll hear a tragic story, like your friend’s story, and it puts everything in perspective and all I want to do is call my family and friends and appreciate them more. The song is amazing, btw…your brother is very, very talented!
Coming here is like a little escape. I love your wee stories.
What a gift to have spent time with a friend and to share with one another.
We are not promised tomorrow and living and being grateful for each day we get is amazing in itself. It certainly puts things in perspective and makes us realise what is truly important in this short life we have here on earth.
xo
Oh Miss V,
You have touched my heart in a way that I cannot even put into words.
I will hold HOPE in my heart for your friend.
Your work and your brothers music are stunning. Much love to you and yours
xx
You friend has gone through so much – she must be very strong. And keep calling your Mum!
Sarag
Ah, Vanessa, you’re so amazing! Thank you for telling us about your friend… for reminding me to forget incurring debt and hold fast to the gifts we already have! I’ll add her to our prayer list right now. There’s a link on my side bar if you want to give us an update sometime. Blessngs.. Polly
Your little friend is a real trooper, yes? Hang in there to her; it will all unfold beautifully! Adam is a treat and you are, as usual, capable of bringing laughter to our hearts even in times of sadness.
XOXO,
Christine
I’m typing and listening and oh, the lump in my throat. Carolyn, I am in in awe of you through Vanessa’s words. Your strength is inspiring, moving, in so many ways. I’m taking it to heart. Love to you.
D.
Vanessa- your brother’s music…love
oh sweet Vanessa….life seems to be throwing challenges right and left lately. I am so happy your dear friend has a dear friend in you to help her through this difficult time.
I’m so glad you 2 could dance with the deer in the snow and enjoy sweet memories.
All my love and support to her….
x….x
steph
prayers and warm thoughts to your friend carolyn…beautiful collaboration with your brother…what an amazing friend you are…you give me hope and courage today…blessings, rebecca
friends that do this:
—->She makes me realize
that everything
is always going
to be okay.<----are the best! hang on to this one! 🙂 i want to live in one of those little houses, too, for an hour but the houses never seem to have places to make REAL earl grey tea, so i would not want to be there forever...
V-
What a beautiful, touching and heart wrenching post.
Praying for your friend today. What a trooper she is.
xo
i just came upon your art work today and wanted to let you know how inspiring it is to me.
also noticed tomorrow’s your birthday so have a Happy Birthday full of fanciful twists!