"The Rebirth of Seven Macaw" by Erika Schulz

I had a whole list of topics to write about this week ranging from the esoteric to the mundane, social commentary to personal triumph, but all I can think to write about at this moment is the small stuff, which is actually big stuff, that I’ve experienced and witnessed as of late.

That, as you may know, is why I started this blog. It was/is an exercise in perception and attention, in noticing what usually goes unappreciated, undocumented in my world.

Anyway … this was an outstanding week. What follows are the highlights or whatever.

The Big Picture:

Sunshine says excuse me and pushes fog out of the way. Fog politely moves aside – San Francisco is happier for it. Writer lies on couch and watches the big puffy clouds float across the sky through big bay windows of a place she calls home. Home. Nice to say.

Juicy daydreams (no, not that kind of juicy). Ideas come and go for novel, for grad school essay, for article pitches, for blog. Writer jots ideas down in a small brown notebook – to be revisited in a timely manner. The possibilities seem infinite.

The Deets:

1. The Infant – Made a new friend named Siena. She is three weeks old, and am fairly certain she wishes she were still on the inside of her mom. Still, she is holding her own and learning to adjust. Her instinct and resilience are amazing to watch. I don’t know many infants. Actually, she’s the first.
2. The Editor – Came across story of an inspiring group of men at San Quentin State Prison. Pitched editor at Bay Guardian – was very enthusiastic. Moving forward with article.
3. The Meeting – Got clarity about next professional steps after meeting with the program coordinator at a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Got so excited when talking about the project (I’m going to facilitate a creative writing workshop for a group of kids there) that what little doubt I had about grad school is gone. I am certain I want to pursue the study and practice of expressive arts in healing (ie expressive arts therapy).
4. The Turtles and the Dog – Had a staring match with a family of turtles at a park not too far from my apartment. They were hanging at a pond that River likes to swim in. We all kicked it together – in peace.
5. The Starlet – Watched my friend and fellow writer, Liz Latty, take to the stage and shine brightly. Her writing was raw and brilliant.
6. The Right of Passage – Helped celebrate my friend Ariel’s 30^th birthday, met some cool people, ate some food, listened to laughter.
7. The Tribe – Continue to watch friends grow and evolve, live dreams, navigate adulthood — so proud of them and so inspired.
8. The Journey – After six years, have planned a trip back to New York where I will meet new family members, see old friends, do some research for said novel, and hopefully do a little shopping.
9. The First Boyfriend – One day after making my profile searchable on Facebook, received email from first real boyfriend. Just saying hi. Wrote back, thanking him for being a great first boyfriend and setting the bar so high.
10. The Ghosts – Faced some ghosts. Outcome TBD. Stay tuned for next blog post.

What are your small, tiny and mini marvels? (No big ones, please. I’ve got a theme going here.)

Tell us.

Leave a comment below (where it says ‘no comment’).

For real.