On Gratitude

Yesterday, I looked out my window and saw a red-tailed hawk coming in for a landing. She tilted just enough so I could see the brilliant red of her tail fully—something I had never seen in that way before. It was breathtaking.

Three days before, I was in the studio again after a too-long respite, working with two awesome Ensemble members and Kathy, long-time JDPP associate artistic director and friend, on the books dance that we are creating, celebrating the right to read. I was struck yet again by the beauty and expressivity of movement so fully embodied by these dancers and the anticipation of further shaping and sharing with others.

And then I was reminded of one of our pups who is a champion twirler and expresses the joy of the moment in spin after spin that never fails to bring a smile. She has been especially twirly these last days, I think sensing the drastic way the week has affected the humans in her pack. Her exuberance is a gift shared generously, as is her love.

And then I remembered the excitement when the hummingbirds arrive in July and the lovely time when they are feeding at the feeder outside our window, and we sit transfixed by their tiny beauty, stamina, and grace. So very tiny and so determined.

And the list grows: the many beauties of the natural world; our loved ones; friendships; co-workers; communities; program participants and students; THE ARTS and the joy and struggle of creating that in and of itself is an act of hope.

Yes, so many things grace my life that I can rely on when the rest of the world grows dim.

And the world does appear oh so very dim right now, with challenges ahead unlike any we have experienced in the past.

What we are graced with, whatever that may be, is part of this devastating moment in our lives and in our country. We cannot abandon hope or our sense of wonder and possibility. There is beauty and there is ugliness, and we can still work to transform the ugliness while preserving the beauty and allowing it to help heal our grief and dismay.

It is always so pulling when the hummingbirds leave in early September. But they come back again when it is their time each year.

Judy

Don’t forget: December 6^th is JDPP’s Purple Party Plus 35^th anniversary fundraiser at Artists Collective. Come and enjoy and celebrate life with us for all that we are grateful for, including and especially YOU