Lucy and me.
August 12, 2009
It’s not every day you feel like a rockstar. In fact, I think this is the only time in my 35 years I’ve felt like one, and it’s all because of a SUPA groovy 5 year old named Lucy. Last month, her family was going on a cross country road trip, and she asked her mom, “Do you think we can visit Jenny Sue along the way?”
So her really cool mom Sarah emailed me. I don’t know if I ever shared exactly where we live, but it’s basically in the middle of NOWHERE. Sure, it’s 35 miles from Taos, which is a cool town but also far from anywhere. We live at the base of the Sangres and look out onto what looks like a dried up ocean with an enormous sky. There is absolutely NOTHING for hundreds of miles out there. I often imagine a longneck dinosaur meandering thru the extinct volcanoes that have retired ‘out there’. To get to our house, you drive a ways on a 2 lane highway, turn onto 3 unmarked dirt roads, and when you hear a trio of Tanzanian dogs trying to out howl the coyotes, make two rights. Our little house and garden are tucked away in the thick pine forest.
So, basically, we’re never “along the way” for anyone.
But when you have a daughter who just melts your hearts day and night, you go out of your way for her. (I know this now!)
Back to last month…one early evening, a knock at the door, and in walks Lucy in her fancy dress, wicked cool glasses (that I want in orange), and her sweet, genuine, curious self. She comes up to me while I’m nursing Tulsi, and presents me with 3 rocks (I’m a rock lover), a drawing, a painting, flowers, Tulsi tea, and her copy of My Travelin’ Eye (for me to sign).
Melt my heart.
Lucy couldn’t speak a word for 5 minutes, but soon she made up for lost time. She got to see my travelin’ eye (which seems to travel all the time now that I’m a new mama and tired all the time, hee), and she took off her glasses and showed me her travelin’ eye. She told me how she was always afraid to walk down hills, and I confided that I (ever so slightly) bumped Tulsi’s noggin recently at a friend’s house with doorways and hallways…Ya see, us folks with travelin’ eyes don’t have much in the way of depth perception. We talked a lot about our travelin’ eyes, and I found out that Lucy is an artist, too! (and a very talented one.) I shared with Lucy that I have an appointment with THE ‘Dr. Dave’ soon (when I go to St. Louey) and I’m a little scared and excited. I’m hoping Dr. Dave can somehow help me once again, because while a travelin’ eye provides a lot of inspiration and amusement to my everyday life, let’s just say I don’t want to mistake a tree for being 50 ft away when it’s really only 5 ft away (like I did last year)… Note to self, in your next life, don’t throw your glasses away in art school because you don’t think you need them…
Lucy also told me not to be scared of eye drops, that they are pretty ok. (I squirm and wrinkle and squint like crazy with eye drops…even ones that don’t burn.)
Lucy’s visit came at such a sweet time — during this magical time with Tulsi AND painting the final spreads for my next book. She reminded me WHO my books are for and just what kind of positive effect they can have on people who read my books.
Before Lucy and her sweet family left, I read my book to her outside as the sun was setting. “OK,” she began in her sweet-n-quirky way, looking up at me over her glasses, “I’ve got questions.” (Her dad informed me she’d been saving up several questions for me.) “Did you REALLY see an elephant in a tree??????”
Yes, Lucy. I did. I see elephants in trees all the time still. :)
Thanks Lucy, Sarah and Jeff! Patrick, Tulsi, Oso and I hope you visit again. And Lucy, Oso can’t wait to play with you. NEXT time, maybe?
26 Responses to “Lucy and me.”
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© 2012 jenny sue kostecki-shaw · coloredsock@mac.com · 575 586 1726
August 12th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
That is the sweetest post! Thanks for sharing that story. And that was so cool of you to agree to meet Lucy and her family at your home. I’m sure you’ve had a profound impact on that little girl’s life and that is such a powerful thing. And what cool parents she has for teaching their daughter to reach out like that.
August 12th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Fantastic Jenny! Cannot wait to share such wonderful stories with Millie. You and Lucy are my heroes!
August 12th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
wow i got teary eyed on this one…maybe it happens with all of your posts actually. jenny, you inspire me truly. you are my favorite kind of rock star – genuine, humble, sincere and incredibly flowing with talent and beauty.
i loved this story and i hope you continue to get visits from your little birds and big elephants. i love you.
August 12th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Oh that is so fantastic! I wonder what Lola would do if she met you in person. I have to read your book to her all the time, and show her your pictures on your blog when she is here and we use the computer. She loves baby “Toosee” I wonder if you know how many little ones you have touched? Lola doesn’t understand about wandering eyes, but she does understand love. She just plain old loves her “Jenny SOOOOO!”
August 12th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
yes, lovely post… and great photo :)
August 12th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
this must be the best blog story i have ever read. lucy is so utterly adorable. this is a moment she will remember all her life!!!
:-)
August 12th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
what a gift for you both! i can’t imagine a more beautiful and meaningful compliment for an artist that to see in person the child you have inspired. :)
August 13th, 2009 at 5:00 am
Oh Jenny, my heart melted too just reading that. Her parents were SO darn cool to make the journey for Lucy. And you were SO darn cool to have them come. You are a most definitely a rock star!!
August 13th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Reading this makes my mouth smil, my heart soar and my eyes well. What gift for you both!
August 13th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Like I wrote, lucy melted my heart upon walking in the door. I’m so happy you all liked hearing about it. I was so honored for their visit!
August 14th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I like Lucy; her glasses and her frock too ;)
It’s interesting how someone can make such an impact in your life. These days i have been thinking that if you wanna see God, look into the people around you…. I bet there is God in each of us.Sometimes God comes to you in the form of Lucy;)
August 14th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
OMGoodness! My heart just melted reading about your visit. I have to say that I do have the best sister in the world….and honestly, envy her travelin eye! :) Love you!
August 15th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Oh gosh, I want glasses like Lucy’s too! :)….i love this story….
Jenny, you taught that not-so-little girl that dreams do come true!…you are indeed a rock star!
August 15th, 2009 at 9:28 am
What a cutie! This is a great story! Reminds me why I want to do children’s books! I hope I can make such an impact on some child one day! Remember that experience when you get stressed about a deadline.
August 17th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Jenny — this is so sweet, so wonderful and we were honored to be there! It was a magical visit and we will return, hopefully sooner than later. Still need to post about this on my own site. While your home is off the beaten path, I never considered it out of the way.
As a little aside — Lucy saw these flat files at IKEA and now she wants some for her little art treasures just like you. Also, she’s named at least 3 dolls & animals, and 2 of her goldfish Jenny. We were all smitten!
Be well and xoxo, Sara, Jeff & Lucy.
P.S. Lucy adds, “Thank you for the letter. I like the letter! Love, Lucy”
August 17th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Thanks to Sara, Lucy’s mom, for pointing me to this post. It has made my day. That photo of you and Lucy is just priceless. I have to get this book for my little girl.
August 17th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
So Wonderful! It’s amazing all the lives you can touch with your art. Such a special gift you have!
August 20th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
just wonderful. I love where you live.
August 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
Firstly, you are a rockstar…and this is just a wonderful wonderful story. And I can imagine how utterly good and real and positive it felt to have a little reader and fan look up to the story and you in this way. Way to go, girl. So sweet.And she will remember long from now how a woman she met made a living as an artist and writer and lived on a mountain, what a role model.xo
August 23rd, 2009 at 7:36 am
aw, thanks K. i hope so. i was thinking to tell Lucy and her mom about YOU and Pino the next donkey day you have. they live in portland, and i know you’d be an amazing role model inspiration for her, too!!! and you’d LOVE her! and it does feel so good…every time someone emails a story about how my book has affected them in a positive way, it’s such a warm boost of energy! xoxo gonna catch up on your blog sooon. been on a painting marathon!
August 24th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
aren´t these meetings the best things in life? Wonderful!
August 25th, 2009 at 6:53 am
Haven’t visted in a while. Wonderful reading while catching up. Beautiful child. Heard the 40th anniversary of John and Yoko’s “Bed In” is Upon us. “All We Are Saying Is Give Peace A Chance.” If only more people would follow your example. BTW, how does one know when they arrive in the middle of nowhere? I mean I know now they’d say “We must be there because there’s the studio” but what if you were the first one?
August 27th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Lucy’s mom just told me Lucy named a few goldfish after me! haha. she is so cool… we just got our first big koi fish for our pond (long story). her name is Lucy!
August 27th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
for me, every time we drive north and are almost home, or are driving south from colorado and are nearly home, this giant feeling overcomes me, like if someone presses your arms hard against the sides of your body and you are resisting and then they let go and your arms float fast to the sky without you ‘telling’ them to…yeah, it’s THAT feeling that says, i’m here. i’m home, in the middle of nowhere.
hope you are doing well!
September 4th, 2009 at 12:56 am
such a cool and sweet story, that’s amazing!!
October 16th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Another wonderful post (with this moving I missed so many posts!!! :/)… mmh, makes three today, it is thus a great positive day because that’s what you bring to us with this studio blog : love, positivity and wonders. Thanks again Jenny!