Sunday 14 October 2012

A Birthday Secret No. 2.


All dressed up and ready for the party.

Now you all know how sorry I am to have stopped the narrative of my story right at the crucial point of learning if the piece had survived the kiln firing. I’m just not that kind of a mean spirited person, to do such a terrible thing. I just don’t know what got into me but when I got to the point of opening the lid, I just had to stop. It seemed sooooo right at the time. So please accept my apology, forgive me and we will just move on.

Oh, I forgot, you’ve already seen the photo and have deduced that the sculpture survived it’s fiery ordeal. Yes it did. What a relief to see it sitting there all in one piece.

I placed it on my work table, found my “fine” sandpaper and began sanding it down for a nice smooth finish. I had also brought our cooler from the house for the purpose of packing it safely for the trip. I pulled out my styrofoam and began to measure and cut pieces to fit the lid size and hold the sculpture in place. It was nice that the size of the piece was such that nothing fragile received pressure from the styrofoam.

Once we got to the party, we were careful to confer with the husband during moments his wife was distracted with the guests, working out just how the presentation might work. We decided on a room separate from the living room where everyone was gathered for socialising and the meal. This way we could set up for the presentation in secret and then he could have the group move there at any point he felt was appropriate.

The next move was to get the piece into this room without being discovered. We all watched for the moment. Suddenly, I got the signal. She was now busy, sitting at the table, eating and talking with guests.

I casually made my way out, went to the car, covered the whole thing with cloth and began to make my way back. I suddenly realised that I was moving along the street directly in front of the living room picture window. The table she was eating at was right by this window! Rats! Well, at least it was covered.

We set up the piece and made our way, one by one back to the living room. It was now rather hard for me to concentrate as the excitement was rising.

Finally, the moment arrived and we were all invited to the “presentation room.” It was quite a moment realising, that this was a surprise for everyone at the event. Here everyone stood, seeing this covered item, but having no idea what it was. There was lots of anticipation, whispers, giggles, uuuhs and aaaas.

As his wife clung to him in anticipation, he gave a little speech, revealing his thoughts and how he’d decided to ask me to make something for his wife’s birthday.

Then came the moment of revelation. She slowly and carefully removed the cloth to reveal for the very first time this gift from her husband. There was just a moment of silence then all hell broke lose. Bursts of laughter, short screams, tears began to flow, some more squeals, somehow all at the same time!

I was asked if I wanted to say something regarding the gift. Since it had to do with lockets and jewelry and friendships of the girls, I’d already arranged that my wife who’d been more intimately involved with this story would do the talking. This of course, not only brought more meaning to the gift, it also elicited more emotion from the birthday girl and actually everyone in the room.

I have to say, It was a very gratifying moment. In the end this sculpture will be beautiful in the eyes of the recipient for what it represents. It is good to know, the piece has found a loving home. To see the sheer emotional response of tears, joy and delight of the recipient was such a humbling event.

I will never get used to how something I’ve fashioned can have such an impact on others. (I have seen grown men weep uncontrollably!) The level of responsibility now placed on me in my creative work frightens and excites. I must, yes, I must very intentionally seek to continue to be connected and guided in my own life and in my creative work by the one who knows all things. All things in my life and in the lives of those who view my work.

“I’m single-minded in pursuit of you; don’t let me miss the road signs you've posted.”
Psa. 119:10 (The Message) 

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