A Year and a Word II

By Marlowe Miller

Already it's January 11th, and I haven't told you my word for the year yet.  Last year's word was grace, and I loved that word, mostly because it helped me to look closely, to seek grace in each day.  And on those days when I went looking and didn't find it, I gradually realized that if I sat still long enough, grace would find me.  Part of the process was just breathing and being and noticing the small gifts each day brings.  The other parts were more challenging.  I focused on complaining less, offering thanks more, and letting others know how much I appreciate them.  It shouldn't be hard to do these things, and really it's not.  I think for me, it's just a matter of remembering to do them more.  And maybe it's also about feeling comfortable enough in my own skin to simply say what I think and feel.  One might think that after all these years of being a writer that wouldn't be such a tough thing for me to do.  Writing truth is one thing.  Speaking it is another.  I'm learning . . . piece by piece.

Over the last few weeks, as I considered what word I wanted to tuck into my pocket and carry with me for 2012, I realized that I wasn't going to just chuck out last year's word.  It's coming with me, too.  Perhaps in a few more years, my pockets will be bulging with all the words I'll collect.            

By Marlowe Miller

The word I'm adding to my stash this year is inspire.  I wanted a verb, and I needed one that connects to all aspects of my life.  I am inspired by many amazing makers and thinkers and doers of deeds, and I also hope to do some serious inspiring of my own this year.  

I can't think of a better way to kick off an inspiring year than to share with you the work of one of my dearest friends.  Her name is Marlowe Miller, and these gorgeous glass creations I'm featuring in this post are all hers.  She is one of the most creative people I know in so many ways--with textiles, paper, paint, you name it.  She's also a fellow magpie, and she turns the objects she discovers into exquisite jewelry, some of which I have featured here in past posts.

But today I wanted to show you her most recent creations, these gorgeous glass mosaic windows.  She uses salvaged windows to make them, and each piece she makes is completely one of a kind.  You can find more of her work at her blog, Orts and Fragments.  I love her use of color, and I find myself mesmerized by the blues in all three of the pieces here.  Most of all, I love the sense of movement in all of her pieces.  I feel the wind blowing, the stems shooting up from the earth, and each blossom opening.  

By Marlowe Miller

In the spirit of my word for 2012, I'll be sharing more work by people who inspire me in the coming months.  I have a feeling it's going to be a very good year.