butterflies land on her…

An acquaintance once called my work “emotional jewelry” – he probably doesn’t even remember saying these words but they wander in and out of my consciousness as I work. When he said it I wondered if he meant that I put a great deal of emotion into my pieces but I have since decided otherwise. I now believe that he meant that particular pieces speak to buyers on some emotional level.

I regularly receive wonderful stories from customers that explain why they chose a particular piece for themselves or for a loved one. Their stories are stirring. Two weeks ago I received an email that explained the purchase of the above necklace. A tragic but beautiful story – it is hers to share and not mine. I can only say that butterflies land on her…they are little messengers of love. Amazing…

I am a sole proprietorship but I am not lonely. Each customer becomes a part of my journey and as I move along I find that my path is more joyful because of their gifts…their stories. Our paths cross for only a short time but these transactions of words become a permanent part of me – of For Giving Works. I am thankful and as I conclude this post I find myself wondering what wonderful stories are yet to come my way. I can’t wait to know…

reunited on a wrist and in our hearts…

This is a wonderful story that got lost in the 2012 Christmas holidays. January followed and was a period of recovery from the chaos that begins with Thanksgiving and ends on New Year Day. But now, as Valentines Day is approaching, my friends have been on my mind. One friend in particular…she is my “Bo” – there’s another story behind that nickname but I will save that for another time.

In November, while I was in Athens, GA I received a last minute invite to a gathering of friends for pizza, wine and laughter. Who could resist! I was in the car in minutes and on my way to be with some of my favorite gal pals. Once there, conversation was fueled by wine and as we laughed and talked our gestures became more animated. I caught a glimpse of a friend’s wrist as she was showing another friend a photo. She had a stack of bracelets on it – not too unlike the photo above. Upon closer examination I noticed that they were a blend of mine and someone elses. That someone else proved to be my former business partner, Amy.

Amy and I started a jewelry business together about 4 years ago but when I moved she kept that business and I started my own. In fact, the name For Giving Works is dedicated to her and was a gesture, on my part, of how much faith I had in our friendship. But with distance between us – about 3 hours – we lost touch. Years past with no contact. I know, it’s sad. There is no excuse for it.

Amy messaged me through FB late one evening and I was both shocked and thrilled to see her message in my inbox. I wrote her an epistle in response. She got up during the night (she later confessed this to me) to see if I had written back. A lengthy and much loved epistle followed from her and I drank in every word. It was so nice to reconnect with her and we agreed to get together the next time that I was in Athens. And so I WAS in Athens – and here I was at another friends house and there was Amy and I – reunited on our mutual friend’s wrist. This had tremendous symbolism for me as the bracelets looked so right together – comfortble – each nestled alongside the other. And it was a “God wink” as Amy and I were planning to have lunch together the following day! A coincidence that I should see these on the evening before? I think not…

She and I had a 2 1/2 hour lunch and caught up on 3 years of triumphs, challenges, worries, jokes, family and so much else. It was wonderful and I can still see her sitting across from me in my mind’s eye – wearing her green coat and smiling at me – a smile that I had missed so very much. I told her about seeing the bracelets on our friends arm the night before and she loved it…agreeing that it was, indeed, a sign that we were supposed to reconnect. I adore it when the universe sends me a message….

February is a month for cherishing friends and family. It’s a good month – it’s the month that screams red and wonderful. This year I think I will make Amy my Valentine – I know my husband won’t mind! He is as fond of her as I am. So Amy….if you are reading this you are my chosen one – my Valentine – for the year 2013. I do love you…you will always be my “Bo”. Yes, you will….

I spoke at a funeral…..

As we begin a new year the first week of it has been spent in reflection. 2012 was a good year and I have been asking myself why? It was a year full of wonderful stories, simple triumphs and even some road hazards. For me, there were three significant “happenings” that I share with you now in hopes that you will reflect and find plenty of good things in your past year as well.

I must first remind you that I graduated from “the school of happiness” on 8/13/12 when I wrote the blog “and she lived happily ever after”. This mental diploma was enough to carry me along for a bit but I soon hit some more bumps in the road and the mental diploma seemed lost. I just needed to do some more work – I needed a “masters degree”. That’s what I am working on at present and I will get it…yes, I will get it. This is my mantra.

We lost another lovely family member this year. Our patriarch. Our Uncle Don. Our example of how to live a life in service to others. I chose to speak at his funeral. If you know me, you have already gasped in disbelief for this is way beyond the limits of my comfort zone. Only three other members of the family knew that I was going to attempt to do this for there was good reason to believe that I could not. I sat on the first row alongside my daughter, son and husband and when the time came for me to speak I stood up. There was an audible gasp by my side as my daughter saw me ascend to the pulpit. I turned and faced a room of family and friends – and the words began to flow.

I also had the opportunity to make 4 necklaces for 4 hearts. Our community lost a generous, gracious, leader, father and friend this past year. He had battled illness for so many years and each year that he lived was a gift to all. He bought one of these cross necklaces for his wife and soon called me to make 4 more – for his sisters and his daughter. As I made them I worried and wondered if they might be the last gifts that he presented to his loved ones and I believe they were for soon after he was gone. It was a privilege to be asked to do this and I have tears welling up in my eyes as I type this. They were made with love for those he loved….

These are but a few of my special moments of 2012. My wish is that each of you experiences triumphs both large and small, abundant joy and even some challenges to stretch you. We are but one week into 2013 and today the simple joy of seeing a bright red cardinal on this bleak winter day is enough. With love to all, Lettie

my Schlotzsky’s doctor…..

After being a “Maxxinista” at the T J Maxx for at least a couple of hours yesterday in Athens, GA I climbed into my vehicle in search of the nearest glass of unsweetened tea which I found just across the street at a Schlotzsky’s restaurant. I have never patronized a Schlotzksy’s – don’t know why – I just haven’t. I was in the drive thru lane and had just ordered when a realization of where I was caused a most unexpected reaction. With tears in my eyes and the biggest ever lump in my throat I recalled that it was from that very drive thru that a phone call had been made to me. A rescue call. It came from a doctor who was responding to an emergency that I was in the midst of about 3 years ago. This doctor called me while driving through Schlotzsky’s to get his lunch – interrupting our conversation only once to place his order. I had pulled into that lane a thirsty gal – completely unprepared for emotional flood gates to open.

This call was significant then and continues to be one of those conversations that is on permanent “record” in my mind. I remember what I was wearing and where I was sitting when the phone rang. Every word that he said to me still plays in my mind as clearly today as if it was just moments ago. I remember nothing of what I said as I was in a calm panic but the tone of his voice and the importance of each word he spoke is still with me. Always will be. He rescued me when I needed help and because of this he will forever be one of my heroes. He was just doing his job and was hungry and was returning calls on his lunch hour. He had no idea that the words he was speaking to me would forever be etched in my memory.

Schlotzsky’s drive thru – wow! I was experiencing a “god wink” and it made me wonder…..what have I ever done for anyone that could be as important as what he did for me? I felt “small”. This really got my attention. I mean…..who have I helped? Who have I had an impact on? Whose heroine am I? Feeling sad at my insignificance I suddenly smiled and felt encouraged – but just a bit. Perhaps while just doing the job of “being Lettie” I have helped someone without knowing – just as he had not known that he was rescuing me.

And this gave me hope….

Nancy’s apple tree….

I love my customers….they send me the most wonderful things! I sold the above necklace to a woman named Nancy and assumed she was somehow affiliated with the field of education because her email ended with the letters .edu. I was right – she used to teach spanish but she surprised me with an altogether different reason for purchasing this necklace. It reminded her of a poem by the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. I share it with you because it is so wonderful…

ODE TO THE PRESENT

This moment as smooth as a board and fresh
This hour, this day as clean as an untouched glass.
Not a single spiderweb from the past
We touch the moment with our fingers
We cut it to size, we direct it’s blooming
It’s living, it’s alive, it brings nothing
from yesterday that can’t be redeemed
nothing from the lost past. This is our creation
It’s growing this very instant, kicking up sand
or eating out of our hand.

Catch it, don’t let it slip away!
Keep it from vanishing into dreams or words!
Grab it, pin it down, make it obey!
Make it a road or a bell, a machine,
a kiss, a book or a caress
Slice into it’s sweet scent of wood
Make yourself a chair from it
then weave yourself a seat.
Try it out or better, try a ladder.
Yes, a ladder, rise out of the moment
step by step, feet firmly planted on the wood
of the moment-Up and up but not too much
Just high enough to patch the holes in the roof.
Not too far: you don’t want to reach heaven.
Climb up to the apples, but not as far as the clouds
Let them cruise the sky, drifting towards the past.

You are your own moment, your own apple:
Pluck it from your apple tree.
Hold it up in your hand: It shines like a star
Stroke it, sink your teeth into it.

Now off you go whistling on your way!

It is the interactions with my customers that keeps me from putting my jewelry in stores. I love the stories that people send me that tell me why they chose a particular piece. It’s so gratifying – especially when I get to read something as wonderful as this. Thank you for sharing it with me Nancy. Thank you….I am “whistling on my way”…

Lettie

A week of coincidences….

What an amazing week it has been! It has been chock full of coincidences – those “God Winks” that make For Giving Works the joy that fills my days. A friend once told me to pay attention to the coincidences. It is a sign from the universe that we are on the right path to spiritual awakening. I loved that – still do. Funny thing – when you start paying attention to the coincidences they seem to start coming faster. There were several remarkable “winks” this week but these three are my favorite and keep coming back into my thoughts to make me smile.

A friend brought me lunch this past week because I had a migraine headache. While at my home we rummaged in the beads and she decided that I should make her a bracelet – similar to the one shown above – and that it would be her gift to herself. Not even twenty minutes after she left I received a phone call from her mother-in-law who wanted to come over and purchase a gift for my friend. I showed her several pieces that I thought might be good gifts but pointed to the bowl of beads that was to be the commissioned bracelet. Of course she chose to buy the bracelet and it was received by my friend a few days later with the greatest of enthusiasm.

Not two days passed and another buddy was looking at my jewelry and picked out a few pieces that she might like for christmas IF we could somehow figure out how to get her husband to buy one. They live in Tennessee and were just visiting town for two nights. She left and was only slightly hopeful. Not even five minutes later he walked through my door and bought her the necklace. Wow – that was fast. He had not spoken to her – just decided to drop by.

Then I received an order for a necklace that a woman was buying for a friend because she knew she loved it and wanted it. Within the hour I sold a necklace to the other friend – buying one for each other within 60 minutes – both making me promise not to tell the other.

This is just a handful of the marvelous coincidences….there were several more of the “oh my gosh I was just thinking of you” calls and the random meetings with people that I wanted to run into. All of them added up to one amazing week of WOW! And to be a part of so many connections was both humbling and exciting and inspiring. The Universe is widening my path and making it easy for me to stay on it. I had been wondering if I perhaps needed to choose another but now I think this one is pretty fun! There are so many secrets in my head right now…and all of them will bring joy to someone in the coming weeks. My head is swimming with happy thoughts and imaginings. Hurry up Christmas for all will be revealed during that magical week.

The most beautiful tee shirt – ever!

I was never good at sports. I have never had my name called and been asked to come to the front of the room. I have no trophies or plaques or blue ribbons or commemorative watches. I never won any awards for anything . Wait – I did win a blue ribbon when I was in grade school for my scribble picture of a teddy bear but it is only now that I reveal that I drew the teddy bear first and then scribbled over it. I must admit though that I have been lucky at random drawings for door prizes. I have won 2 fur coats, a shotgun and even a very nice screw driver set! Although appreciated, they weren’t awards for being me – for being Lettie.

I occasionally buy my husband a trophy just for being such a good guy. He has several and keeps them on his dresser as a constant reminder that he is loved. Most are vintage trophies or reproductions – one says “The Galveston County Poultry and Pigeon Association” but that doesn’t matter – Reid knows why he received it. He has about six trophies now that were awarded to him by me – his greatest fan.

The tee shirt above is the closest thing to an award that I have ever been given and in fact, it really is a trophy to me. It was given to me by a group of women who came to my home for a weekend which we lovingly called “Camp Lettie”. They presented me with this shirt in a brief ceremony while all wearing their matching apparel. The shirts were the uniform of the weekend. As Camp Lettie campers, we did all of the things that are expected at a camp – horseback riding, skeet shooting, canoeing, fishing, card games, billiards and wii bowling. About 12 women came and the 2 that were absent were represented by Barbie dolls with the appropriate color hair so that we could tell which was the absent camper. The dolls participated in all of the activities and are in the photographs to prove it!

It has been several years since the opening session of Camp Lettie. I sleep in this shirt now and keep it on display in my closet when it is not being worn. A simple heather gray tee shirt with the screen printed block letters Camp Lettie on the front – I can’t imagine any silver trophy or wooden plaque or diamond watch having more meaning than this simple but beautiful tee shirt.

and she lived happily ever after….

“You look really happy and I can tell. You really are happy”. These words were spoken to me at about 9:35 am this morning by someone who knows – who really knows because they can spot fraudulent or “pretend” happiness. Can’t tell you who said it – sorry – but I can tell you that it meant a great deal to me to hear these words from this person.

I felt like I had graduated from a very difficult curriculum at the university of how to be happy. If only I could get these words printed on a diploma…I would frame it in the most extravagant way and hang it just above my desk – a daily reminder that I have mastered the course.

And a difficult course it has been….I have been working on being happy with myself for about 5 years now. Prior to this handful of years I suffered from a serious case of the “what is wrong with me” and the “why am I not happy” mindsets. I just got so tired of it that I had to seek assistance beyond what I could provide for myself. I found help of all sorts and in abundance! I owe a big thank you to my friends and family, For Giving Works, great blogs, all of you who are reading this, good “how to” books AND especially my husband who likes me “just as I am”……he allows me to drive him crazy with my beads, dogs, peanut butter cravings and the general chaos that comes from living with a creative person that has no discipline whatsoever.

I used to think that happiness would come from an outside source but it does not – it has to come from within. I waited around far too long for it to drop into my lap. It just doesn’t work that way. Happiness is derived from an appreciation of all that we have in this moment – this very moment. With all of our flaws and personality quirks we must learn to be happy with who we are and stop wishing we were like someone else. One of my favorite quotes is “Be yourself – everyone else is taken”. I should have payed more attention to this.

And so today I am especially happy for I have been told that I am, indeed, “happy”. I had been suspicious that perhaps I was for a few months but I needed for someone else to recognize it and tell me that it is my truth – my diploma – my reward for working so hard to find it.

the view from my hammock….

On the last cool spring day of 2012 I slipped outside to enjoy a few minutes in my hammock. We built this house 7 years ago and the hammock was installed that first fall and was much loved. For about three years now (it’s been about three years that I have been making jewelry) the hammock has been abandoned and forgotten by all but the pine needles. While at my desk on this particular day, I was suddenly compelled to go outside and climb into the hammock. The thought of it just jumped into my mind with no glimpse or mention of it. Funny how things like this happen but the minutes that I spent in the hammock that day “changed” me – gave me a new perspective. A healthier perspective. A more rewarding one…and one that I could carry around in my pocket

I was staring up into space and the blueness of the sky seemed to rain happiness down on me. I was wrapped up in it and in the hammock – just swinging myself with one foot back and forth – back and forth. The overwhelming feeling of calmness and joy moved straight through me. Wow…I can’t really get this into words but it was as if the hammock was a vehicle of sorts. It took me to a “place” long forgotten and the memory of it flooded back to me like a fast rising tide. It was a true physical sensation – a recalled feeling of happiness and it swept over me as I rocked. Oh my gosh – how had I let this appreciation for living slip away? The hammock reminded me what it is to feel at peace with myself and to live in the moment. I had forgotten because I had been too busy to remember.

And so I snapped this photo with my IPhone. I captured the feeling with a camera and then put it in my pocket. When anxiety jumps me from behind, I look at this photo. When I am frustrated I take a look at it. If I am in a rush I consult it. It takes me back to that glorious moment when all was well in my world and it then transports me in present time to the same place. The same feelings of joy are my reward for carrying this photo around in my pocket.

I know, you say, it’s just a photo. Yet to me it will always be a “beam me up Scottie” kind of thing – it will take me back to that hammock on that crisp spring day with the bluest of skies and birdsong in the air. I find it remarkable that something so simple as the view from a hammock captured with a phone photo can become a Star Trek transporter. But yes! It can and it is…although I say “beam me up Lettie” when I hold my transporter in my hand. I don’t know anybody named Scottie…

wait, wait, wait….

Much time is spent pondering why it took me so long to finally figure out what I wanted to do when I grew up. I mean, I am middle aged, and it was only about three years ago that I stumbled onto the right path and believe me – it was a stumble. I did not start making jewelry with the intent to become For Giving Works Jewelry. It sort of just evolved as a result of a conversation on a rainy afternoon with a friend. Now not a day goes by that I don’t pause to give thanks because I am doing what I want and love to do. The satisfaction that comes from making a piece of jewelry that will find its way to someone is indeed wonderful, but the joy that I derive from meeting the people that cross my path because I am For Giving Works is amazing. Here is another joyful connection that was made as a result of the amazing phenomenon that is called social networking.

About two weeks ago I received a telephone call from a very nice and courteous man named Nathan who resides somewhere near Macon. He introduced himself and explained that his mother was in Georgia visiting with him for his birthday which happened to be on that particular day. Nathan went on to explain that his mother had seen my jewelry on Facebook and that they had decided to telephone me upon realizing that they were just 2 hours away

Sometime during our friendly chat I asked the obvious question “Where does your mother live?”. Nathan responded “Southeast Texas”. Cool, I thought, I grew up in that part of Texas. He proceeded to tell me that she was from an area called the “Golden Triangle” that is formed by three small cities – those being Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange. WHAT! Again, as with the giveaway email about the chickens in my back yard, my head began to spin in disbelief. I could not process what he was saying. This was where I grew up!

“Wait, wait, wait” I shouted while waving my hands at the telephone! I declared my origins to be from the same place and then I heard Nathan say “Mama, you are not going to believe where this woman is from” and then I heard lots of chatter before I found myself on speaker phone. We laughed about the coincidence but I knew it was another “God wink” and that these were people that I should know. We made arrangements to meet for lunch the next day in Vidalia.

Just 24 hours later I was excited to learn that Nathan, his wife and his mother were indeed coming when he called to confirm. We made arrangements to meet downtown. I was waiting for them on the main road into town and merrily led them to a local cafe where we dined al fresco on chicken salad and great conversation. In fact, we were so busy talking that we forgot to pay the bill and were nearly driving away before someone remembered.

To be “found” by such nice people is reason enough to give thanks for my little jewelry business but For Giving Works Jewelry is also about filling my hard wired need to create. I have always had busy hands – ask anyone that knows me. But there is something about being me while simultaneously being For Giving Works that fulfills a deeper need. It’s a hard thing to put into words but I think it has given me definition, confidence, joy and wait, wait, WAIT!

It has connected me to you and that makes me happy. Yes! It does indeed…I am smiling.