well loved

photo and writing from 7/19/2012

Looking out from my seat on the front steps of the House of Phillips {est. Feb. 22, 1949}, I am struck by the arrangement of nature in a picture that follows one of the principles of good design —

Content in thirds.

The eye likes things in threes.

And so does the heart.

Father. Son. Holy Spirit.

Three in one; perfect in love.

Inside the House of Phillips I notice collectibles of loved ones, framed photographs of loved ones, and many keepsakes of —

Loved ones.

I feel the honest presence of the original hands that carried over, selected, created, crafted and placed these items here —

And I also feel the presence of their daughter, my friend, who carefully “re-placed” them —

In memory —

And in present service.

With gratitude, I decide to make a drink and contemplate what these surroundings might encourage me to create tomorrow.

In my friend’s cupboards of a lifetime, I locate a 1962 frosted highball glass from the Seattle World’s Fair. Into it I toss ice from my travel cooler, an inch of Stoli, a three-count of soda and a hearty squeeze of lime.

Cheers.