Today, I was looking at the pattern on one of my favorite scarves. It is green and gold, red and pink, blue and white; a near rainbow array of hues. I love to wear it, since it has a festive feel to it, like being wrapped in confetti. Thinking like the writer that I am, I rarely take anything at face value. The first idea that came to mind was that the people in my life and the experience I have shared with them are like the threads of this scarf. At birth, they included family of origin- my parents, grandmothers, aunts, uncles and cousins, friends of my parents and ancestors- my grandfathers had both died prior to my arrival on the planet. From then on, the fibers included my sister, playmates, classmates, team-mates on my swim team, fellow students at public school and Hebrew School, teachers, coaches and Girl Scouts leaders. As an adult, the strands took the form of co-workers, professors, advisors, employers, employees, worshippers in various faith communities, clients, students, patients, friends, lovers, partners, a husband, a foster child, an adopted son.  Add to the tapestry, fleeting encounters with people on the street, in supermarkets, in parks and anywhere else where people congregate.

Each time I have facilitated a workshop, officiated at a spiritual service or ritual, spoken before a group, recorded a radio show or webinar, written a book, contributed to those of others, penned an article, posted on social media, coached or counseled, I have forged a relationship that has become another piece of the skein. Even if the meeting was fleeting or in cyberspace, the connection has made its way into the neckwear. It will remain as a reminder of the fabric of our lives. If I was to unravel it, and it changed form, those memories would remain in the cell of the garment, much in the same way that we may unwind and either intentionally or unintentionally dis-assemble our interpersonal relationships and they stick with us, even in their altered form.

Tomorrow, I will be adding another layer of woven wonder, as I will be meeting friends in person with whom I have, until now only connected via the marvels of modern technology. I anticipate marvelous adventures with them.

My life continues to be a ‘tapestry of rich and royal hue.’