I'm posting this image for my dear friend, M, who is having a tough time, and has been having a tough time for years now. I almost want to laugh when I think of the pressure she's under in her life. Because otherwise I'll cry.
M, her heart is so big. Being in her company you feel her kindness and generosity wrap right round you. She is also fiercely creative, with something strong and important to say. This woman she knows how to love, she knows how to be there for those she loves, no matter the cost to her self. She ain't rich. She ain't famous. But damn, she is fine.
Ever since I've known M, she's been the same: periodically gone to the same despairing places right down deep, but jesus come out of it with such fierce determination.
She has achieved so much in her life so far, but most of the time she can't see it because she's lost in the up-down-around of her overwhelming feelings . She and I we're so similar in that way: both more than half the time at the mercy of our big-wave emotions.
What I want to remind you with this artwork, M, is to remember the sea. That big big water. She has waves so big even ships are sunk. Some days she's calm and blue enough that the mothers let their toddlers in.
Her endless change, her wild variation, that is her constant. That is her strength.
Tide in, tide out. No matter the weather.
You, my friend, have ridiculously heavy burdens. But you are like her, so big and elemental that you can bear them all.
As long as you embrace who you are.
As long as you accept your life ain't ever gonna be no rosegarden. Flowers don't grow in a wild ocean.
I could, as you well know, M, be talking about myself.
Let's let go those dreams of a life full of pretty roses, let's leave that to someone else.
Let's be who we are. Grey and fierce-as-fck, calm and blue. So strong we can carve the land up if we choose.
You. Me. The sea.
Tidal.
Love you, mate.