A year, ten years from now, I’ll remember this; not why, only that we were here like this, together.
– Adrienne Rich
Through a back window of the newly refurbished City Gallery I could see this arrangement of silver metallic balls lying on the ground. They are part of the Yayoi Kusama (the dot lady!) exhibition, Mirrored Years, which I haven’t yet seen. I gather it is a phenomenal exhibition and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.
As I looked through the window I was reminded of the three stainless steel balls (one large – as in really large – one medium and one small) that sit in our garden – they’re not too obvious at the moment but I know they’re there somewhere amongst the weeds. The balls were a farewell present for Lynsey when he left his job in the country (read this as rural New Zealand … cows, sheep kind of rural … checked shirts kind of rural … ) to move down here to the city to live with me and my children. This was a big move for him, and for me. One of Lynsey’s colleagues thought these balls were a very symbolic, and pertinent, gift because she thought he would need balls of steel to survive in Wellington. I was never sure whether it was Wellington or his life with me that he needed the balls for. Either way he arrived at his new home with shiny steel balls .
I love the reflective quality of these balls. It is as though you are looking outside in. I can see many different reflections of Lynsey and I looking through the window in the balls in the photo I took today. Our life together has been full of challenges yet together we feel strong and solid and able to weather any storm that crosses our path. We are one, just as we appear in these balls. We support, encourage and believe in one another. I love being loved for who I am – exactly as I am – unconditionally.
The steel balls in our garden are actually a constant reminder of our unified strength. As we age our reflections will be different but they won’t diminish in any way. Our individual strength is bound up in our togetherness. I feel so lucky today and every day.
Manifesto
18. Every day express love. Some people need to hear it. Most people need to see it. Don’t take it for granted.
28. Every day you will be tested.
31. Every day mend bridges, bury hatchets, say sorry and move on.
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