The Fabric of My Life

Michael is my friend.  He is easy to love and is also doing 31 Things.  Today we joined forces.  Mission:  Explore Concord using locals to help guide our way.  This means- smart phones off!

People, I don't want to lie to you.  I don't love museums on sunny days.  However, when we saw the The Concord Museum, we knew it was a great starting point for the day.  

Michael and I hit the jackpot.  Upstairs, in the old museum was a treasure.  Annie Leibovitz had a photography collection on display entitled "Pilgrimage"  

"The images speak in a commonplace language to the photographer’s curiosity about the world she inherited, spanning landscapes both dramatic and quiet, interiors of living rooms and bedrooms, and objects that are talismans of past lives. Visiting the homes of iconic figures, including Eleanor Roosevelt, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Louisa May Alcott, Pete Seeger, and Elvis Presley, as well as places such as Niagara Falls, Gettysburg, Old Faithful, and the Yosemite Valley, she let her instincts and intuitions guide her to related subjects—hence the title “Pilgrimage.” "

 Her collection highlighted the unassuming bits and pieces that stitched together the lives of iconic figures.  The parts of their lives that they didn't share with us.  When sewn together, this collection paints a picture of who they were.  Leibovitz captured the colors and landscapes that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe.  Her images of Graceland were beautiful.  My favorite was the television Elvis put a gun to and shot.

Why did he do that?  Legend has it that he was mad at Robert Goulet in the '50s for something involving Anita Wood and years later, in 1974, saw Goulet on TV and took a shot.  Can you imagine harboring such intense hate that 20 plus years later you see the guy on tv and shoot at his image?  I can picture a fat Elvis on the base of his bed staring at the blown out TV.  Room silent and the tangible evidence of his emotions still smoking.   Why wasn't it thrown out?  I want to believe this TV meant something to him.  To me, the TV is a reminder of the debt Elvis paid for a lifestyle full of gluttony. He had too much fame, too much food, too many drugs, too many options, too many possessions.  He couldn't figure out what was important.

I don't live my life in Elvis style- but I have luxuries that many in the world do not.  

What is important to me? How am I living my life in a way that reflects that?   How do I spend my money?  Who am I supporting when I use my almighty dollar?  How do I spend my time?  Who do I share my life with and if you saw my life in bits and pieces- what would you think of me?  How would you know what was important to me?  

I left the exhibit thinking about the fabric of my life.  How I can weave it tighter, better and make it brighter so that when I leave this this world, it remains carefully constructed and cherished?   I like the analogy of a blanket because blankets are comforts to people.  They save lives when given to the homeless on a cold night.  They are security for little babies.   Snuggle buddies for adults who need a break on the couch.  Some are works of art and hang on the wall.   I'd like to be all those things- to save a life, be comfort, be security, a snuggle and a work of art.

I need to start being more intentional about living my life instead letting my life just....happen.  When life happens, you turn into Elvis, and you forget what's important.

Below are the fabulous pictures of our fabulous day!  Michael, Anders and I were successful.  We met some locals, saw landmarks and ate lunch and dessert locally.  What a memorable day!  

The North Bridge

Michael and I went to the museum, the famous and scenic North Bridge, a local restaurant and got homemade ice cream at Bedford Farms Ice Cream Shop.  It was a great day!