Write what you know. Familiar advice for the writer. In the Clay Girl, the protagonist has five sisters. Ari calls them the Jewels. And they are. They are precious older sisters who, each in their own way, shape her into the person she becomes.
The sparkly side of these ‘Jewels’ was relatively easy for me to write, because of the sister I know. She celebrates simple moments, creates memories, lovely memories from whatever life hands her. She makes me laugh, oh, do we laugh when we’re together. She’s classy, smart, generous, creative… but above all else she is the rare gem who truly delights in another’s happiness. She is the encourager, the voice cheering you on, and the one waiting at the finish line, ten minutes after the race ended, with her camera and a consolation cookie.
She took me shopping a few weeks ago. An activity, which for me, ranks on a par with root canal. True to her form she created a wonderful memory. We laughed, held onto each other as a wild wind tripped us up, talked with everyone we met, ate fresh-baked scones at a cafe… As evidenced in my journal page from that day I am not, technically, a gifted visual artist but my sister is a MASTERPIECE.
Cheers, sister, to the day you were born.
Love the journal. The visuals are wonderful! Your sister sounds wonderful too!
Yes, she is truly wonderful.
Thanks for following and for your lovely comments. I’m enjoying your blog, too. Hopefully I will be able to resolve my glitch in leaving comments on other sites this weekend.
This one filled my heart and made me cry. Thank you for putting me in your fabulous journal. I love you sister dear, and will always be one of your loudest cheerleaders. You go girl!
Oh, and by the way, you did look stunning in that brocade jacket even if you did feel like an upholstered couch in it. Goodness you make me laugh. Sweet memories indeed.
Oh, you are woven throughout all the pages of my journals because their intent is to capture joy, gratitude and wisdom.
And I did look like a sofa in that jacket. But, then again I rather like comfy couches. We will go shopping again.
Love this whole page…and I don’t have a sister so I pretend! Love the quote…not weird but limited editions! Aren’t we all…thank goodness!
Some are sisters of the heart. You certainly belong to the limited editions family.
Beautiful tribute for a beautiful lady, Heather. Thanks.
She’s the BEST, isn’t she!
You’ve got such a beautiful way with words 🙂
Maybe one day I could be a writer:)
Love this Heather!!! I love my older sisters so much also, they really do make me who I am!! Wonderful read! And yes, I think you should become a writer 😉 !
We do become who we are through the people in our lives, both the wonderful and terrible. Your grace over the past two years inspires me.
You are so lucky to have a sister like Sue.
Lucky, blessed, thankful, happy…
Hi Aunt Heather!
Love the page, and keep on being creative.
Very excellent job. Nice drawing, BTW.
Sincerely,
Danica
Thanks, Dani. Give Amma a hug for me.
The youngest of 4 sisters I can’t wait to read the Clay Girl. They too are my jewels though it has taken me years to appreciate their true worth. What a gift to us all Heather that you are sharing this journal.
Thanks, Janet. It’s a mercy to everyone that I burned the boxes of negative journals. Focusing on joy is freeing, and wise, wonderful, wacky sisters are certainly worth celebrating.
Heather, I have known your sister for many years first as a neighbour and
then as a dear friend. My little sister turns 80 in May and I know the bond
that sisters have and it is priceless. Eighty years together as sisters has
been a blessing and neither one of us wants to be the last one living without
the other. Thanks so much for sharing !
I know what you mean, Ivy. One hundred years with Sue will not be enough. Cheers to eighty years and to many many more.
Oh Heather reading this makes me long for a sister of my own ……………. or at the very least a visit with my best friend from grade school ~ Stella can make me laugh even when life isn’t worth doing so.
Love the art work & quotes Thanks for giggles about the “comfy couch jacket”!!
Sisters by heart can be just as wonderful as sisters by birth.
And I swear, I did look like a brocade sofa in the jacket she wanted me to buy.