serendipity in blog world
Last summer I was reading a few blogs on a daily basis, though I hadn't started my own. One afternoon I linked to a new blog, then another, then another and at some point I read a post that had a link to a webpage of artwork by an artist that that blogger loved. And there I found this. And my eyes filled a bit because this was it. What I had been looking for that combined my grandmother's love of hummingbirds with her love of gardening. That summer my husband and I had started a garden for the first time, and I felt a connection to my grandmother every time I walked around to see what was growing or found the perfect plant to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Even though I couldn't talk to her about it, I could feel like her spirit was with me during these moments. We had been to several art fairs and garden shops but I had yet to find what I wanted. Something I could have that would remind me that she is with me.
I remember calling my husband into my home office saying, "look at this, it is perfect!!" He immediately agreed and said I should buy one of them. But they were out. And I was so sidetracked by that thought that I didn't bookmark the page. And could never find it again. I would think about this Hummingbird Lady every now and then and wish she was living in my home, but again, I couldn't remember the webpage or the artist's name.
Then in January I started reading Alexandra's blog. And then she introduced her friend Laini's blog. I was drawn to Laini's artwork and one day ventured out onto her webpage. I was linking from page to page and found this (which speaks to my soul) and in trying to find out if she had prints for sale, I linked to a page and suddenly I thought, "I have been here before." And then I linked on to Laini's Ladies...and gasped. The Hummingbird Lady. Laini (my new blog world friend) is the creator of the Hummingbird Lady. Amazing. Simply. Utterly. Fantastically. Amazing.
So now, I am blessed with a Hummingbird Lady in my house. She sits above me as I work, create, write, dream. She watches the hummingbirds out the window. She looks over my ever-present tulips. She reminds me I am not alone. Thank you Laini.
This month delights me for many reasons, the main one: Spring. She is trying to spread her wings and sing her song. We may have had traces of snow here (SNOW!) but the flowers are blooming and the sun is shining. At the same time, I am reminded that this time last year, I was able to call my grandmother to say, "the daffodils are blooming and my tulips have buds." And I certainly would have called her for tips about what to do with the snow and my budding plants. This time last year, we were having our last few conversations but neither one of us knew it. Later in March, last year, she was going through many tests and was tired and the doctors could not figure it out. I am entering that time when the anniversary of her death looms in front of me. It is still a month away, but it sits heavy on my heart.
Yet, in the midst of it, the serendipity of the blog world brings a smile to my face. Earlier this week, Hobess sent me a beautiful collage she had created for me. (Thank you my dear.) It touched my heart and reminded me again that through this grief, something amazing is blooming. New friendships, I am learning so much from others and myself, my own creativity is bursting...life through death. The cycle.
My grandmother is smiling more than she ever did while she was here and laughing louder than she ever would and flying with the hummingbirds.
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (17)
I have one of those hummingbird ladies too! It was a gift from a friend who said it reminded her of me and I had no idea who had designed it until I read this blog entry!
And the serendipity continues.
What beautiful serendipity. It's a gorgeous reminder of how those connections are between us even if we don't see them, even if we don't know that they're there.
I'm glad you have such wonderful ladies touching your life.
Beautiful. I love when this stuff happens. :)
Oh my gosh!!!! I LOVE the Hummingbird Lady...and I ordered one!!! I have been to her site before...and somehow missed these! Thank-you!!!
Laini´s Ladies really are something special, they all have a personality of their own thanks to Laini. I am lucky enough to have one hanging over my kitchen table, above my sewing desk, next to my bed, on the window to my garden. They have become my friends and remind me of things that I sometimes don´t think of often enough.
I also had a special grandmother and wrote a post about her...and I can often feel her presence because she lives on in me - she gave me so much that I can bring into my day to day life.
yes...i know she is smiling.
this filled my eyes with tears and my heart with warmth.
what a serendipitous gift to find your long lost hummingbird lady and from a blogger friend!
amazing story.
we will all wrap our arms around you during this time approaching...
liz, this post was so joyful - and reminds me that lives touch for reasons, and that things are NOT merely coincidental some of the time! you are right - laini's ladies are absolutely adorable!
this anniversary is difficult for you, i am sure, but your last paragraph says it all and in that you can rejoice.
I love the serendipitious virtue of blogland! Your hummingbird lady is lovely.
What an amazing post, Liz. I'm teary. I'm smiling. And I'm shivering because I have that very Laini tiny story set as my screen background so the first thing I think of when I turn on my computer is all of you and the magic (yes, Alexandra, MAGIC!) you are all bringing into my world. Have a beautiful day.
wow...
that is such a great story...
connections...
wow.
:)
THis was a lovely, heart-full post. I understand deeply how you are feeling this month. It is so hard -if you need an ear, I will listen!
How COOL is it that you made that circle re: the Hummingbird Lady. I LOVE it when serendipity happens!!! take care of you.
Isn't it amazing how connected this world is sometimes. The more people I come to know through blogs, internet groups, etc the more I realize how not very different we all are.
By the way, I live about 40 minutes from you! Crazy huh. :)
a.
Love your story about Laini's Ladies! I love her stuff as well. Need one of those and a Superhero designs necklace and I'll be set.
I love the Christina Baldwin book as well, I read it many years ago, think I should get it out again. She had some wonderful writing exercises to do.
Thanks for your comments on my blog as well, especially about the running-yoga connection. How long have you been teaching yoga? i've always thought about getting into teaching, is it difficult? Do you need years of experience in yoga to even try? Love to hear more about your experiences.
what a beautiful and touching story. i'm so glad your hummingbird lady found her way into your life!
Oh Liz, when I clicked on your blog and saw what it was about I was so touched -- like the first time you emailed me about this serendipity. I love coincidences and convergences like these, and to know that I made something that reminds you of your beloved grandmother, well, it is things like that that give art-making a meaning far beyond what one can imagine when creating! Thank you for sharing this here! It was wonderful for me to read the above comments too. Like you, I've found this blog community such a joy -- all you kindred spirits, some far and some not so far (YOU are not so far, and we must plan a creative women's gathering SOON!) Also, I can't wait to show you my new garden line of Laini's Ladies. There aren't any more hummingbirds, but there are three more ladies riding birds, and one on a butterfly, and they're in metal as garden stakes and windchimes. So fun!
What an amazing story! I am so glad that your hummingbird lady found her way to you. Those moments feel like magic don't they?
I can relate to missing a loved one that is gone. It is wonderful that you can focus on the happy memories and the knowledge that she is smiling down on you!!!
My mom really drawn to humming birds and gardening too, they always remind me of her so I felt yet another strong connection to this post...and the artwork!
Beautiful...thank you for sharing!!
Thank you sharing that serendipitous story! Your Hummingbird Lady is absolutely beautiful, as I know that your memories of your grandmother are!