Dear Amanda
Dear Amanda,
In so many ways you have become an important
part of my life. From our similar interests in spoken word poetry, to our ukulele
playing, to books and stories that change our individual universes to our heart
to heart conversations about life. I’ve learned so much from you more than you’ll
ever know. I marvel at your wit and insight. I am in awe of your quickness to
learn anything you set your sights on. But one thing that I am so honored to
have witnessed is the strength of your spirit as you face opposing forces that
challenge your belief head on. It is not just your brows that furrow. It is not
just the adamant tone of your voice. It is your indignation that compels me to
bring out my own against any injustice that may have just occurred. That my
dear girl is passion. That my dear Amanda is the one thing that you hold on to
when everything around you seems to be falling apart. The strength to fight for
your beliefs and often times, your life.
This letter is supposed to be a
blog post of the gift you created for me. And it is. So I began this piece with expressing what you have essentially gifted me with. This morning, I picked up my bag that you hand painted. What you created is a magnificent work
of art. As it hangs now underneath my surf board, I cannot help but feel the
cosmos uncovering my life as I know it in the beautiful painting you made on my
purse. A lovely sunset in the form of a mandala, the ocean that is the hair of
a woman, sailboats floating on the waves, and a woman’s face underneath it all.
The moment I saw your work, my chest tightened. My heart, oh my heart became
light and full all at the same time. I remember everything that ever brought me
to this place, to the blessing of your presence. I remember it very clearly
now. But that memory is another story to tell. I will tell you this—that the very idea of you birthing the concept
of the art you just made tells me how very deeply you feel, how very connected
you are to your soul. You would not have made this had you not listened to your
heart. After everything is said and done, what is invisible to the eye is most
precious. When you listen to the beat of your heart, you will never be lost.
You will always find your way home. And all in life is a coming home.
I am grateful for what you have made
for me, Amanda. And for me, this isn’t just an art painted on a piece of
leather. It is the thousand different ways I have been blessed by who you are.
It is in the countless ways I have gathered lessons from listening to the brilliant language of your mind. It
is in the strength of your character that you have dared show me and of which
in the process I found my own. What you created for me isn’t just art on a
piece of designer bag. What you created for me is a part of yourself. And who
you are is a masterpiece of soul and grace. How tremendously blessed I am to have been
gifted with such masterpiece.
And since you absolutely refused to let
me pay for your artistry, this poem is for you. If you remember, I wrote this
back in May of 2016 where we were on our way to watch Sarah Kay and Phil Kaye’s
show at the CAP Theater in Cebu. It has evolved as you have. So here it is.
Amanda
Therese.
She
belongs
right
where she is.
Her
hair a wisp of quick wit
Uniquely
unkempt
Her
fingers deft
As
she holds a pen
To
write a thousand words
A
million even
In
her lifetime
Her
hands smeared
With
rainbow
As
she colors her world
And
those around her
Her
mouth speaks
A
universe of stories
But
beneath it all
Her
heart, oh her heart
Is
open, spacious, strong
Enough
to carry
And
change
The
world.
Love always,
Comments
Post a Comment