It's Wednesday morning, and I hurry through a quick walk to the river with Charlie. and Suzi. I need extra time to prep for my morning writing group; it's the second week I'm leading a collage workshop and I have all my supplies to pack up and I need time to set up the room. I arrive right on time, as planned, with a half hour before our group starts. The room is all set, I'm ready to go, and then I realize I am an hour early. Which is a good thing, because sometimes it just feels relaxing to be running ahead instead of running behind. I relish the time to catch my breath, alone in the quiet, lovely space of our workshop room. The silence is soothing and centering. We will go deep. We will play. We will make a mess, we will make beauty, find meaning, tell the truth, listen deeply, to ourselves and to each other. To have this time, these women, these writers to welcome and guide, this is a blessing in my life.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2018