Until recently, I had always sought  peace or renewal through calm waters, through , the reflections of lights and shadows  on water and shores.  These scenes often bring deep calmness within me.

Today I was reminded of another source for rejuvenation, a place of freedom and flight  for which I had Long forgotten.  As a child did you ever hope to fly to sore over  the high hills above your home with the birds only return to a soft landing?  Remember the joy you felt while swinging  as high as you could only to safely return to the ground?   Did you have the desire to soar above every one and everything? Nothing to hinder your dreams again. 

I had forgotten these moments of my childhood.   We lived on a small hillside in Marin County ( llong before suburbia took over).   The hills  had scattered sheep and green pasture. I’d escape out of the house to get away,  to not be bothered by the chaos at home,  to separate myself from the responsibility of taking care of my little sister. I  “pretended”  to run away (temporarily…).  I  made a point of telling my little sister I was going and said ( don’t tell mom and dad) assuming she would tattle of course. I was hoping they would discover me missing and get worried, seek me out with tears…. I liked drama..,  . Ultimately, I longed to be wanted and to be loved,  not just needed.

There  upon the high spot of our neighborhood I could see miles over all the homes.   It   made me feel in charge… maybe even in control of my life, my “ destiny”  (as far as a 10-year-old could fathom).   Oh boy!   to be one of those birds who could fly   high above the clouds locked in with the winds. They looked like they were in control  of their coarse,  not a worry at all.  No one yanking on their feathers or hindering their path of freedom. Even now I can once again sense the  delight  of those moments, the  freedom and fullness of the wind under my wings.

  Those escapes never lasted long..  maybe 20 minutes.  I’d get cold or  start missing home and the people I so dearly loved. I wanted more of them in those moments than circumstances permitted. Discovered much later Mom knew what was up but let me figure it out.

I believe many of us have had similar experiences growing up , either in a large family or as a single child. These emotions confront us at various ages and crossroads in our life.  

Here I  share with you paintings that essentially reveal these emotions.  Pay attention to the freedom of  soaring,  even be it figuratively.  Hopefully it can entice you to soar in your own way.  In many ways, we are in  control of our actions, our decisions. Rising above them can bring us truer perspective and guidance.