Friday, November 21, 2008

A new day



First, I've got a confession to make.


I've decided to end the giveaway early. Thanks to all of ya'll who entered, but I decided that a winner had shown itself and there was no sense in running it anymore.


Queen Bitty said I could do it. I have permission.


You see, Bobbi Jo first won my heart with her love of Christmas and her enthusiasm for the stocking. Any woman who puts a tree in every room and is full of the Christmas spirit is already in the running for a stocking, in my book. Most of my Invisible Friends felt my pain all too well and wanted nothing to do with sewing, but Bobbi was ready for the challenge.

And then I read Bobbi Jo's blog and learned her husband lost her job and she was worried about making Christmas special for her five kids.


There's no one who needs a sugar plum fairy stocking more than that, particularly when you're a fellow Christmas enthusiast with little girls.

Now, Invisible Friends, this is no pity prize. This is no charitable donation. I wanted this stocking to have a good home with someone that would love and appreciate it, and cherish it for years to come. I know Bobbi Jo will do a splendid job of that. So really, she's helping me out.

Bobbi Jo, congratulations! E-mail me your address at mirkoerner@gmail.com and I'll get it shipped your way.

And now, for today's tale....

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the same walk, but on a different street in a different part of town. The roads were different, the sidewalk foreign. But the trees rustled the same, the sun glimmered overhead and the blue sky stretched above me the same way it always had.

But it wasn't the same. Biting my lip, I scuffed my shoe against the sidewalk and glanced around nervously. Before I walked alone on a long street on an empty part of town. Now I was surrounded by people and buses, the open blue sky interrupted by towering buildings. My throat burned and I looked down.

"I know." The words were a whisper and I smiled and held out my hand. His tiny feet landed on my skin, softer than a warm breeze on a fall day. His wings opened and closed, brilliant yellow and black in this land of beige and grey.

"I wasn't sure if you'd find me." I smiled wryly as his wings twitched with amusement.

"I will always find you." His wings opened and closed slowly. "It is you who can't find yourself."

"What do you mean?" I asked, mouth open. "I'm not having a personal meltdown."

His antennae twitched. "No," he agreed. "But you are lost. You are in a new chapter, a new day. And you're hiding under the covers ignoring the alarm clock."

"
It's not that bad," I muttered, pressing my left hand against my burning cheeks. "Is it?" I looked at him uncertainly.

"That depends on you," he said, climbing daintily up my arm. "It's always depended on you."

Exhaling deeply, I stared down the never ending sidewalk as cars rolled by.

"I just feel like I've been handed the bad end of the deck," I said, chewing on my lip as I spoke. "I didn't do anything, yet everything at work has changed. I've got a different position, we're in a different office with different people and different rules and Libby's gone. It's better for her, but it's not the same."

"The days are empty now," the butterfly murmured, reading my thoughts. "You feel as though time crawls by."

I nodded. "I care, but I don't care," I said definitely. "I know what my goals are, and they aren't here. And I'm lucky to have a job and the freedom I do. It's just in a way, I feel as though I'm on the verge. I've felt that way for a long time."

"Of what?" His wings brushed my arm and a shiver tingled down my spine.

I was quiet for a moment. "That it'll be my time. That I'll finally break through."

The butterfly giggled gently. "People don't break through," he told me. "They chip through. Day by day, hour by hour, they take steps to their destination. You've chosen your road and are making your way. Don't worry about the time or the progress--just worry about the next stop. To compare yourself to others is futile, because you're not them. You're you."

"
You're right," I said sheepishly. "It's terrible to get so worked up, isn't it? I just--I was comfortable."

"Comfort is an excuse for not wanting to change," the butterfly said reasonably. "You use your structure, your routine as armour for creativity, at least that's what you say. But to be truly free, you must be comfortable within you, not the structure you dwell in."

I scowled. "I resent that," I said. The butterfly nodded.

"Of course," he said. "It's not easy."

"I never asked for it to be easy," I pointed out.

"But it is natural to wish for it," he reminded me. "But you're better than that."

I shook my head and the butterfly landed on my nose, pressing his face to mine.

"Trust me," he whispered. "For when you trust you, everyone else will. Then it will all create itself. You must have faith."

"
I do," I murmured, my voice cracking.

"I know." And then he was gone, floating above the city streets and into the warm sunshine. I smiled despite myself, watching him drift among the clouds in the piercing blue sky.

And then I turned back down the sidewalk.

It was a different street, and a different place. But I had the same hope I always did.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! This weekend, we have a double edition of Kitchen Magic! Also, next week is Thanksgiving week. Any suggestions? Do you want to talk gratitude or food? Tell me what you'd like to see! Do you want a different thing I'm grateful for each day or an ode to my favorite Thanksgiving treats? Let me know!



25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think you made a great choice with your winner! :)

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Duckie, you never cease to amaze and impress me. Your award choice more than illustrates YOU know the true meaning of Christmas.

April said...

You made a fantastic choice for your winner!! I enjoy all of your tales!!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

LOL! That's a loaded question 'cause I'm (of course) going to ask for Twirl!

If I can't have another edition of Twirl then just surprise me. I like pretty much anything.

Congrats to Bobbi Jo! Sounds like you made the right choice!
~ingrid

Marie Rayner said...

Yayy!!! Bobbi Jo!!! What a wonderful choice Duckie! Simply Perfect!!!

That's one mighty wise bug. You should listen to him. :-)

Duckie, I am happy with whatever you choose to post whenever you choose to post it. I just love everything you write. I eat it up like candy! You're the best!

Marjie said...

Surprise us with your posts! We love you!

Live.Love.Eat said...

That was really sweet. I am sure everyone loves that you did that!!! Well wishes and prayers to Bobby Jo's family!!!

Cathy said...

Perfect home for your superfun stocking!

And I look forward to hearing more from the wise butterfly!

Bobbi Jo Nichols said...

I know I have thanked you via email but wanted to say Thank you so much for the stocking. I have been in tears off and on since I read your posts. You are so sweet and kind.
Thank you also to the well wishers of your invisible sweet followers.
I want a wise little butterfly to land and talk with me. I am enjoying catching up on your creativity.
Big toss on next week. I love all the ideas so I guess I am up for a surprise!
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Grace said...

I left you something on my blog! :)

nikkicrumpet said...

I'm so glad she won the stocking...thats just where it should be. And can I get me one of those butterflies???

Pam said...

Great choice! Enjoy the stocking Bobbi Jo. The story is excellent - I think we all need a little butterfly to remind us of what's important.

I would love to see what you are grateful for next week.

sassy stephanie said...

Yaaaay Bobbie Jo!

Heather said...

good choice :) and beautiful stocking! i am sure bobbie jo and her family will really enjoy it :)

Bunny said...

Congratulations Bobby Jo!! Well I love Twirl but you post whatever you want Duckie and I'll read it!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Congratulations to Bobbie Jo! Wonderful giveaway Duckie -- good job! I love anything that you write and can't wait to see what next week brings! I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your darling husband and cute little furry friends. Thanks for being such a wonderful invisible friend!

XOXOXOXO

Anonymous said...

Yes, she so deserves it, that is the true Christmas spirit.

Lesley said...

Wow....it gave me goosebumps....I don't see such giving spirits much lately....that really is the nicest thing to do to help lift the spirits of this family ....Great choice....

Amy said...

Thank You for sharing, the stocking is awesome. I enjoyed my visit.have a great weekend,Amy

Maria said...

Yahoo for the winner!! Thanks for getting us into the Christmas Spirit!

Chronicles of Dolliedaydream said...

A very worthy winner and Bitty looks tres chic in her tiara x

Megan said...

That was lovely. Both the tale and the winner. Yeaaa, Bobby Jo! :)

Cakelaw said...

A worthy winner - congrats to Bobby Jo!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

OMG! That's the most adorable picture of your dog! Congratulations to the winner!

Lori said...

I think the SUgar Plum Fairy will be most content with your choice. BRAVO!

And wow, amazing Christmas spirit. Can Bobbi Jo come to my house and help me decorate!