I may not be a mother, or a wife - I don't yet, and may never, have a family of my own (sometimes I feel a little sad about that and at other times I'm not sure if that type of life is really for me anyway) and I don't have much in the way of family around me any more.
Sometimes that's hard, and sometimes I can feel a bit lonely. But then I look at what I do have.
I have a growing network of wonderful, kind, like-minded, and talented friends and colleagues here in England, a sweet and loving boyfriend, and his family and friends in Paris and the United States. These are all people who care about me, and who I care a great deal about; people who have helped me to become who I am today, who seem to accept and love me for who I am, and who make me feel worthy of being loved. I'm sure we've all had our share of people in our lives who have made us feel the opposite way, so I always feel so grateful for that.
{Patterned Landscape 4, a new 7x5" painting on paper I added to the shop a couple of days ago - now sold.}
Life isn't always easy, is it? We have difficulties and sadness, separation and upset, worries about this and that, large and small. But everyday, no matter how I feel, the one thing I always try to remember is how grateful I am for what I do have. So thank you to everyone out there who supports me in every way (and that includes the people who follow my blog, leave encouraging comments, or buy my work). I am - and always will be - grateful for you all. I can only hope that I give something worthwhile back to you. And every day I'm working on that too.
My darling,
You may not realize how people are drawn to you by the honesty that you share about yourself and for your interest and empathy for others! That in addition, of course, to your talent and sense of humor! We all have our families, those which we have been given and those which we choose. You will always have both, people who care for you because you think of others!
xx {O}
Posted by: Leon Milo | February 23, 2013 at 11:23 PM
Dear Natasha, very well said. This is so very true for me too. Sometimes I need a little reminder. Wishing you all the best.
Posted by: Yvonne | February 24, 2013 at 08:18 AM
Natasha, Patterned Landscape 4 is very very beautiful ... and it captures so well the wistfulness of your words. May your world always be able to hold this wistfulness gently. It reminds me of the soft misty cloud we often see that lies lightly over a lake's surface low amongst the lake's edge trees on a cold morning before the sun has risen far.
Posted by: Dorothy Panelli | February 24, 2013 at 08:33 AM
So beautiful, I find your work so restful and I love what you say here about people who support you. Well deserved.xx
Posted by: Jess | February 24, 2013 at 06:09 PM
Another sinus infection- not grateful for that at all...but already getting better, so...yay!
I think you're one of those rare individuals who inspires just by living their lives & allowing others, even remotely through blogs & shared work, to be a small, even tiny part of that...even if it's just as a witness...
...not my usual sort of post (I feel like I need to say something gross & rude just to balance things out)...
The moon series looks gorgeous- looking forward to more.
Posted by: Evan | February 24, 2013 at 07:49 PM
Leon, Yvonne, Dorothy, Jess and (last but certainly not least) Evan,
Thank you all for your kind comments, and thank you for being out there...and I hope you feel totally better soon, Evan!
Natasha
xo
Posted by: The Blackbird Sings | February 26, 2013 at 12:15 PM
My dear you are loved and admired from afar...and I love this painting- Jules xo
Posted by: Jules Means | February 27, 2013 at 02:06 PM
That's a lovely piece.
Posted by: Ulysses | February 28, 2013 at 05:32 PM