Dear Maria, I know there is no good cell service down in Gee’s Bend, and I know you will figure out a way to read my blog first thing – we talk to one another through our blogs often when we need to – so I wanted to write you this note.

I miss you, of course, but I also want to say that our connection to one another, our love and trust and commitment, is not breakable, not subject to geography or cell service or time and space. It is always there, you are always with me, it does not matter where you are.

I want to tell you that Liam is doing much better, I am optimistic today, I was not yesterday. He has a spirit I can see, he wants to live, just like us. I was so happy to talk with you last night, I heard something in your voice I had never heard before – a presence, a sense of fulfillment, a confidence and clarity, a sense you were just where you ought to be. Your art is your heart and soul, our creativity is our connection, and I had the sense you are drinking at the well of your creativity. It will nourish you, I can feel it, you have given yourself a gift beyond imagination, it will reveal itself again and again, for all of your life, through everything you create.

You are with your tribe down there, your sisters, you have, in many ways come home, you are not an outsider in Gee’s Bend.

Yesterday was a good day for me, I am happy to have helped Liam pull through, it was a wild ride there for a bit, I am sorry you missed it, glad you missed it. It is good to know when you have to call for help, and when help comes. And then, I have a new book contract with a publisher I really like and an editor who wants to make a big book with me and clearly does not think my time has passed. It was a scary move, it was a good move, as  you told me from the first.

Thank so much for your encouragement and faith in me. We might even be able to pay the taxes on our several properties.

Thank you for believing in me, what a gift.

I feel there is a power, an energy, a radiant spirit that comes from our love and connection with one another, it radiates beyond us sometimes and out into the world. A lot of people are watching your trip and cheering you on, you should be proud of that.

I am fine, my back is protesting the chores, I have to take my time. I took Frieda for a walk this morning, she looked strong and interested in every smell. The house is a bit chaotic, as you predicted but I asked Alfreda to come by for a couple of hours Wednesday to help clean things up before you get home on Thursday. I would love for you come home to a spit-spot house, insofar as that is possible.

Our friends have enveloped me in a loving cloud.

Scott is coming over today to help me with the lambs, George and Donna came by last night to take pictures with me, that is George’s wonderful way of being with me, Deb came this morning to help me give Liam his shots, Kim and Jack have called to let me know they are ready to come by, Rod and Stephanie have invited me over for dinner tonight. I’m going, I can’t wait to try out a compost toilet. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced this before, so many people I can call friends, so much love in my heart. It is aloneness, not loneliness. Like love, friendship is something that comes when you are open to it, I am grateful for it.

Frieda is looking for you and I think the donkeys were disappointed with the amount of carrots I brought them this morning. I asked Simon what kind of a jerk stomps a little lamb, I told him it will not happen again, let’s see how the visualizations work.

So I’m off to write, I want to write about the carriage horses again, the story has reached deep into my heart, I am looking forward to going with you to New York to meet with Chief Arvol Looking Horse on Mother’s Day in Central Park, how interesting this all will be. Life is what we make of it, we are spinning and spinning and sewing and writing away. I love you beyond words,  you are the light, the sun and the moon. This morning, I will be smiling thinking of you and Mary Ann Pettaway singing and sewing together in the Gee’s Bend Collective Building. What a beautiful thing that is, what a beautiful thing you are.