Mary and Clara Come to Truchas, NM

I had two very special visitors to the gallery recently. As I was just about to leave the house to go open, the phone rang. On the other end was a rather shy voice. It was Mary Jungerman, a reader of the blog who lives in Colorado. She was in Santa Fe visiting her daughter, Clara, who lives there and wondered if I was up for a visit. Yes! I said. Indeed I am. Come on up.

Mary has fairly recently discovered the blog. She wrote to me the night she found it, saying it was exactly what she needed when she needed it. That she’d stayed up late reading much of what was there.

Just over a year ago, shortly after her two daughters had moved away from home, Mary’s husband died very suddenly. She’s spent the time since healing, growing, shifting and coming into her own.

We sat in the gallery’s studio by the fire and talked, the three of us. Both Mary and Clara shared their clear visions about the loss of love and why they think the world is built the way it is—that while they miss the gentle power of this man who had been so much in their lives, they accepted that it was his time to go. After much grieving, they now are remembering and celebrating his life. I was honored to be a part of their remembrances.

Mary is a professional musician. She has spent much of her adult life playing classical music with symphony orchestras. She also plays the Native American flute. Not long after she arrived, she asked if she might play a blessing song throughout the gallery. Absolutely! So I shot a video as she moved from room to room. And this centuries-old home gathered her in its embrace. The two were in concert, each giving to the other, both receiving what was given.

And this is one of the most precious things about this life we live, I believe—giving and receiving—art and love. A woman I hadn’t ever met before this day, who had gained something important for her journey from the blog, came to Truchas and blessed our gallery at the beginning of the season. My heart filled with the beauty of these magical moments. I offer her music to you now.

Love to you all,
Jeane