#creating together

I played a word association game with myself,

And now giggle at the prompts as they fell.

After all, romance and lyrics fit together,

Too many love songs make it so,

And my annoyance at that is ever ready.

But I still don’t get the things called romantic,

Or how much they make me back away.

Some of it is just lack of attraction, desire,

What need have I for romantic connections?

Why should that be necessary at all?

But part is also, why isn’t creating romantic?

Why can’t a date be painting in the same space,

Working together to make a cake,

Putting furniture together and rearranging?

Why must romance focus on the together,

And not enough on what’s being shared, revealed,

We chatted and laughed and munched on munchies and sipped wine and water and shared stories of crafting exploits from long ago.

“I don’t do enough of this anymore,”one woman said.

“I know. I don’t either,” another chimed in. “I must do more.”

And we laughed and created and shared some more.

By the time we were done, we had 22 vases glittered up for centrepieces, (they are each one unique and gorgeous) 80 crinoline flowers ready to top the ‘party favour’ honey jars, and the workings for me to keep creating giant crinoline flowers to line the aisle C.C. and I will be walking down on April 25th.

As we worked I was reminded of stories of women’s sewing bees and canning fests. Of women gathered around the well, sharing the happenings of their lives, sharing tips and how to’s, parenting woes and children’s accomplishments, aches and pains, joys and sorrows. In their sharing, they connected, made meaning and gave meaning to the world around them. In their connections, they built community.

On Saturday, six women created a community with me in my studio. They were there to help me create beauty for my wedding day.

I am grateful.

It seems fitting on this weekend where International Women’s Day was yesterday, that we gathered to create just as women have always gathered to create throughout the ages.

It is our nature.

Gathering and creating. Sharing and connecting.

Thank you Jackie, Wendy, Ursula, Jane, Keri, and Tamara. You made light of the work and added light to my day just as you are adding light, laughter and love to my wedding — and thank you Jackie for coming over yesterday to help some more!  My list is getting shorter as the days are counting down!

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