La Louisianne

A recent trip to Natchitoches, pronounced /na’-ka-tosh/, hurled me right back into a longing for all things Louisiana. I have come to believe that there is something in the land, the air or maybe even the water that seeps down into the blood stream and no matter how far away one moves, it pulls you back. My family's roots run deep in that land just like the trees lurking down in the Bayou. I am a Cali girl by birth but a Louisianan at heart.

I met new people during that trip. We chit chatted a bit about surnames, parishes and gumbo. Maybe we were just making small talk, you know the way strangers sort of feel each other out. I'd like to think we were similar to artisans at a loom weaving our stories like threads of a tapestry. Somewhere in our intersecting it was suggested we all (mostly unrelated women) take a leap of faith and mass migrate to Louisiana. What? Seriously?

My sister and I returned home excited to present this idea to our parents. We conjured up all the pros we could to convince them to run with the dream. They listened intently with a smiles and said "what about flooding, hurricanes and the humidity?". Our Dad was born in NOLA so we did not feel qualified as Los Angelinas to argue against him. Heck, who doesn't remember the horrors of Katrina? In spite of the fear, the dream remains.

I am a researcher. I love learning, seeking, asking. So I did. I set aside some one on one time with my favorite search engine just to see what's out there. I came across homes that spoke to my soul, sparked creativity and whispered softly of good times to come. I shared my treasures with my family uncertain if the architecture that makes me swoon would even peak their interest. I prepared them by laying out my disclaimer "It's pricey but, this is what I love". My dad's face lit up when he saw the Creole Cottages. What came out of my father's mouth next inspired me in ways I have kept secret until now.

"We can sing one song to pay for that", he exclaimed! I dared not ruin his excitement by responding with some silly remark about how I can't, don't or won't sing. Instead, I thought, what is my song? Or rather, how do I express creativity? He is a musician, that is his talent, so naturally he thinks in melody. The scripture Proverbs 18:16 "Your gift will make room for you. It will bring you before great people" landed gently on my heart. Wow, what a sweet revelation! It is our right, our responsibility to cultivate our gifts. We are all blessed with some ability that we are to generously share with the world. We tend to put down the thing that was designed to create our way and pick up those things that burden our back. It is time for us to take inspiration, motivation and determination by the hand and allow them to lead the way into our bright beautiful futures.

"The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
of things unknown but longed for still
and his tune is heard on the distant hill
for the caged bird sings of freedom.” 

~Maya Angelou

There is an audience for every gift,

J~