We met again on Saturday, the lovely ladies of the art class and I. One of our group did not appear, claimed by the season, no doubt. We began, as usual by sharing inspiration—things that have happened in our time apart to open our hearts, or beautiful things we’ve found to open our eyes.

Connie told of being honored on her last day of work at the alternative school she has helped to nurture into a superb learning environment for elementary school kids. She is so nurturing, she takes so much pleasure in the delights of others. When she finds her way now into public education she will be a gift of inspiration and positive change.

I had a card from a friend this week with news of fabulous, long-lost friend, Sandy Wilson. On the front was a painting by her son, on the back a wee photo of Sandy in ‘a room of her own’. She made the brilliant film, My American Cousin, some years ago. We were great friends in our twenties but lost touch when single motherhood consumed us both. Now I have her address and have sent up a flare.

I enclosed a tiny photo of myself in my own room. I love how she, out on the west coast, and me here on the east, separated by time and space enter our rooms to create what we will create, all these years later, still with devotion. And we’ve claimed those rooms of our own. Can’t wait to hear back.

Meanwhile, in class, we didn’t get to what I’d planned for us to draw. We drew again in an abstract way, this time leaving space in the center of the page, allowing emptiness to be the center. Everyone was so engrossed in what they were doing we just carried on, all one with the moment. The energy was flowing. It’s a powerful thing when you just let it flow through you without expectation, without control. It’s a holy experience and why we are blessed to meet together to do this. I think it’s taken us all by surprise.