It’s here! The new year! I’m a little sad to see 2013 go because despite some tough moments which are inevitable in life, it was so fabulous in innumerable ways. But I sense that 2014 may be even better. We rang in the year quietly with just the four of us: me, K, M and my mom (well, not too quietly since we live near one of the major fireworks site in Seattle), and it was a perfect way to end a rollicking twelve months.
I have a propensity around this time to spend hours and hours reflecting on prior months to see what went wrong, what went right, what I could do to make things better. This year is no exception though I think I have some more pondering to do. I have been thinking, specifically, about this fantastic post by the talented Anna Dorfman featuring artist Chuck Close, and the video had a huge impact on me when I first watched it about a year ago. I hope you check it out – I love the idea of a note to my younger self and wonder what I would tell 14-year-old Sanae. More than anything, I am awed by the artist’s drive and perseverance to “show up and get to work”. He utilized his so-called disabilities to create a world that makes sense to him; he refused to be limited by them. It makes me think of this ee cummings quote:
To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.
As I was writing in my journal yesterday, I sketched a “daruma doll“, which was a staple of my childhood. Also known as Dharma dolls, these are good luck charms meant largely for children in Japan (I grew up in Los Angeles, but my parents upheld many of the traditions). What you do is make a wish, then fill in one eye. Once the wish has been fulfilled, you fill in the other eye. They’re typically bright red and a bit ominous looking, but I was always fond of them. My wishes usually involved some dramatic makeover of my looks or something so outrageously out of my parent’s price range (my own horse and stable, say), that my daruma dolls perpetually remained one-eyed. Narrowing it down to one wish is always the tricky part, but for 2014, my wish would be this: a new year of contentment with joyous relationships, rewarding work, abundant play and endless creativity and well-being for one and all. Is it cheating to throw in multiple wishes into one?
A beautiful wish for 2014, Sanae. So much of the joy in life comes from our relationships with others – a concept that is understood more fully the older I get. I have been grateful for your blog is 2013 – a way to connect with a new friend, even if it is through cyber space. May your 2014 be abundant with the beautiful fulfillment of all your wishes!
I’m right with you on the relationship front, Lucinda. The friendships I’ve forged, the family ties – these become increasingly precious as I grow older. Thank you so much for all your wonderful comments and thank you for being such a lovely friend! Here’s to a remarkable 2014!
I find this very beautiful. Your illustration is charming, as is the tradition. Also, less specifically, I just really love your blog. I don’t comment often because I don’t have much to say usually, but I really enjoy your creativity and reflections.
Your comment means so much to me, Sonya! It’s funny, every new comment I receive still sends a shiver of thrill through me – amazed and delighted that there are people out there that find enjoyment in my little space here. I’m honored!
I really enjoy starting my day by checking to see what you’re up to! Thanks for all you do, I really appreciate my cyber friends. Although sometimes my husband looks at me funny when I try to tell a story about one of my “blog friends”. (“now, who are they?” he’ll say…) Friends are friends no matter how you know them!
Ha! My husband is the same way! And agreed, friendships found in unlikely places and ways are still the real deal. 🙂
Happy New year Sanae! So glad that I found your little corner of the world and hope to continue visiting for inspiration ..every day (yes, I check your blog nearly every day- but hey- no pressure OK!). I loved that you get new undies for the new year. ( I also LOVE that you use the word undies). I’m thinking I will try to make something new for my daughters for CNY- even if it’s just undies 🙂
Happy New Year to you as well, Corina, and thank you so very much for visiting regularly! I hope you have better luck with your undies because the first pair I made for K threw me for a loop. I managed to mess up every step and had to throw it out ultimately. The second attempt went much more smoothly, thank goodness! 🙂