Yesterday was my birthday. The sun was shining, and I seized the day to simply play outside. I hung out in my yard with some Towhees and Robbins and squirrels.  All of us especially love the wonderful tree in the front for its many offerings: beauty, shade, seeds, no doubt insects, safe harbor and a grand view for those who venture to the top. I sauntered through the neighborhood and in the afternoon wandered downtown to touch bases with some friends and peek into the shops.

                Did you know that shopping is a pretty-fun sport in my book of games?  You may score the perfect pair of shoes, that little something missing from the kitchen, or that gift you’re going to need next month. You may not buy a thing, but you will always walk away with something (no, not hidden in your coat!);  a hug from an old friend, a smile from a stranger, the kindness of someone holding the door, or a chance to show kindness to others.

                An aside: if you haven’t warmed up before hitting town and go in stiff, cold, and moody, you may walk away with a spray of mud from a passing car, someone cutting in front of you in line, or the guy with the invisible companion spatting insults as you walk by.  As with anything in life, it is what you make it.

                Now, I might be typing in the comfiest new jeans ever found on a whim, but that was not my take away. (Yeh, yeh... not my big take away).  As I wandered through the shops I came upon a woman, working at a counter.  We had first met a month or so after the Camp Fire.  She is an artist and lost her home and her studio in the fire. She is young, from my perspective, and has been challenged with residual effects from a stroke.  One would not realize any of these things about her. She simply seems to be a source of kindness and loving energy.  Her name is Jessie, the same as one of my favorite and inspirational aunts (another time).  When we first met, Jessie shared her story and the fact that she was collecting keys from people who had lost their homes and property in the fire. Her plan: to build a phoenix rising from the ruins for her town. I promised to tell everyone I knew that might have Paradise keys to share.

                Spring forward to a sunny cold day in February,  say… yesterday. There she was behind the counter exactly where we had first met, wearing her same warm smile and greeting me as I entered the store. I asked about the phoenix, and Jessie excitedly shared that she was 25% of the way to fruition.  She told me the phenomenal number of keys she had received and, since I did not retain that figure, let’s just say it must have been close to one hundred million billion.  As the phoenix evolves, not only is Jessie working her day job, she is creating a huge art project for a March show, supporting our LGBT community.  But that’s not all, oh no …  Jessie drives a truck, pulling a trailer filled with portable walls and supplies for painting murals with the children of the Paradise schools.  The program’s name is “Art on Wheels,” and Jessie’s calendar is filled with days from now into June, where she will be driving her trailer to meet the children so they may paint murals for their schools. When the phoenix rises, and the schools rebuild and reopen, the murals will be placed in their forever homes. What a gift!  Did I mention Jessie plays violin?

                Yesterday was my birthday.  The sun was shining, and I seized the day…

Joy and Gratitude,

Bella