My new "space"

For the past 7 years or so, I have always had a "space" that is just mine. It started in my late thirties when my spirit was hungering for a deeper connection to god. In a fit of wild abandon- I created an art room in my garage. This was quite unexpected as I am not an artist.

Katie was about 4 at the time. Each day while she napped I went into this space. Sometimes I wrote. Other times I painted some very weird pictures. Then I began journaling on the back of the pictures. Some days I would write out my thoughts on a big white board. Mostly, I just showed up. It was a rich time for my soul.

I went back to work about a year after the garage art room. I deeply missed my daily ventures to the spirit world. I could see that some of my friends were relieved
that I was coming out of my little hermitage.

The garage room was dark. It was private. It was a phase. I only had books from women authors. The "he" god was not welcome.

I have tried to recreate this space in all our houses since that time. It has always been a bit disppointing. No room has quite the grit and intimacy of my old, musty garage.

This morning I was praying out on my screened porch. It's raining. The music is playing. For some reason, the kids in the house behind me are outside in the rain. The table is covered with art materials.

I get it. My new room is wide open. No hiding here. The neighbors can see me. The birds and the squirrels. The cute neighbor cat that keeps me company most days. Friends are invited to break bread here. My new room -the room for my spirit is wide open. Fresh air. The rain is leaking in just a bit. The intertwining of nature and community are inviting my spirit to escape into the open.