I Like It Because...

If you're my facebook friend, or if you live anywhere in West Michigan, then you know
ArtPrize
is the happenin' event of the moment. I've really been into it, not because I'm a big art fan and know a lot about art, and not because I like to be "in," but more because it's a happy thing that is bringing people into conversation about something other than our state unemployment rate. It was fun to see all the bazillion kinds of art. It was fun to meet the artists and talk with them. And it was fun to see so many people amazed and delighted. I can't remember the last time I saw that.

Tonight I was on this
blog
reading someone's short list of artists to see. At the end he gives his reasons for choosing those artists. It got me thinking about the artists I liked and why I liked them. It was only a few moments thought before I found my common denominator. I chuckled when I realized it because that's what I like in stories as well. I liked the pieces that surprised me, like
Georgia Donovan
and
John Hamelink
. I liked the pieces that made me laugh, like
Giovanni Arce
. I liked pieces that were warm and just beautiful to watch, like The
Beerhorst Family
and
Maggie Annerion's
piece.

I liked some pieces that challenge too. I liked
Fernando Ortiz
and
Denise Milito
/Josh Gormely. But I only like certain kinds of challenges. I like a challenge that is about redemption (see why I chuckled earlier?!) and hopefulness. I don't mind thinking about things differently, but I don't like it when it's angry and shoved down my throat. I saw pieces all over the place that made me reconsider how I saw everyday items, shapes or colors. I especially liked
Thomas Verstraete
for that.

I know sometimes life is hard, ugly and uncomfortable, but I guess don't need art to remind me of what is. It's what's possible that I forget about.

Over 40

There are a lot of things I like about being 40. I love that it is now impossible, I mean not the teensiest shred of possibility for me to be cool and the pressure is totally off. I love that shocked look people give me when I tell them my age because, thanks to my good genes, I don't look 40. It's just not that shocking to be 30 something and also look like a younger, but still 30 something. I feel like being 40 gives me permission to enjoy my jiggly, post three babies, belly. It's not going to be hard and flat ever again and who cares?! I love being in the middle. There are women younger than me that share ideas and energy from another generation and there are women older than me who also share ideas and wisdom from another generation. It's the sweet spot.

Sadly though, it's that last bit that makes not so excited about being 40. I feel like it won't be long until I'm in that generation that's supposed to have spun their life experience into a shelter of wisdom that blesses those who come after them. I'm not up to it! I don't want to loose my elders, my mentors, my protectors. I can't become them; I'm not ready. I can't even see how I'll ever be ready. Both at work and at home I find there are 500 things that I don't know, haven't figured out, can't explain. How will I ever be ready to care for others the way I've been cared for? It freaks me a little. Not a lot, but a little.