Finding a bit of peace

As I dressed to go to brunch with my family yesterday morning, I felt the need to carry good thoughts with me. Several years ago, I'd purchased a wonderful pouch necklace from Mary Jane Dodd. Hand stitched, painted, knotted, adorned with various talisman-like items, I've always thought of this as Mary Jane's peace necklace. It has graced one of my studio walls, just above a collection of art from other artist friends so that it could be viewed each time I entered the studio and so that the collective peace could be felt.

Yesterday the need to carry good thoughts with me was so strong that I took the necklace down and filled it with my own talisman - two small feathers found in our yard, a Yogi tea tag that says "Our thoughts are forming the world" and the words peace, hope and love which were a gift from Fiona and Barry. The simple, powerful words stamped on metal are Barry's exquisite work.

To know that I was carrying such literal symbols with me, helped to soothe my soul. To feel the friendship that these pieces carry is immeasurable. Thank you Mary Jane, Fiona and Barry.