Friday, March 28, 2008

The Healing Power of Spontaneous, Temporary Art

I am looking for those boots, or any red cowgirl boots with vintage flair and heroine powers. It is my quest. Staying focused on the bright side, the light side, is part of my quest too... an ongoing journey, made easier with your kind thoughts and encouragement.

Alex asked me if I could replace the button missing from his shorts. And I could. And I did.


And it was satisfying to see the problem, know the solution, to have the resources and skills to do the job, and then to make the effort to execute the plan. Alright, so it was only a button, but sometimes we have to acknowledge our successes, great and small.


I asked Alex to pull out some likely candidates for the replacement from the jar of buttons I keep on the shelf. My jar of buttons is one the pleasures in my life... one of the many pleasures. I like to recognize the little, simple things that go right, feel good. He made the happy face, then Maria made the sun.


Next came the whale. By this time his new button was securely affixed to his shorts.


I find this irresistible. I want to play. I want to sort the colors into rainbows and mosaics, mandalas and stories. Alex asked about making a quilt with buttons sewn all over it. I wondered about making a stop-motion animation.

There are many more things that need to be accomplished today, besides attaching one button to shorts. I have the usual list of errands, chores, promises to keep, and projects to wrestle into submission. Alex, Max and Maria scooped all of the buttons and dropped them back into their jar. There are many more things I have to do, but I am so glad we had these moments.

5 comments:

nikkipolani said...

Natalie, the little stories in your life are so lovely when they're shared. How come my button collection is full of tan and white buttons?!

Tarie said...

Your family button art made me chuckle - they are really good! And all your posted pictures are amazing. :o)

Mama Spark said...

I love how colorful your button collection is! I really like all the button art. Now if you get them to stick those to something you could sell it as art!

Julie said...

Ooooh, I like the idea od stop-action animation with buttons. Beats always using Legos....

Em said...

Wow, I just found your blog... I need more buttons! And your kids are genius with the legos!!!