The Ever Bigger Story of L.....

What an amazing time L and I had this afternoon. We went to meet J, coworker and friend of my friend M. J is an artist of some notoriety. He has done some beautiful large sculptures in our area, one of which graces a commons on the campus where both he and M teach. When we first arrived, after some introductions, M and I went off to make coffee to give J and L some time to get acquainted. When we came back they were already deep into L's notebook of drawings. J was telling him that drawing was a gift of the Native people that they share, a gift of the Spirit be used wisely to express themselves. It went on in that lovely vein for over an hour. I listened as L explained and J admired the drawings he has done....on notebook paper, typing paper and actual drawing paper over the last several years...as L showed J the dream catcher he made in jail from toilet paper and blanket threads....as J talked with L about the giftedness he saw in his work, the potential, the subtle differences from one work to the next....as this accomplished artist and professor offered L the opportunity to come over and "hang out" in his studio, "play around" with his media. As J suggested yet another professor he thought L should meet, this time a Native poet he thought L would enjoy talking to. M and I grinned like co-conspirators more than once.

We could have stayed longer, but L had a job interview to get to. I think J would have been content to spend more time with him. They clearly made a connection. I have never been so happy to be superfluous in a conversation in my life. Widening circles for L. This is what it is all about. Creating a village to help support this young man into a better life. May it be so.