Shine Your Light | Guest Column
Published 1:30 am Saturday, December 24, 2022
Submitted by Teresa Smith
Are you ready to shine your light? Living on this island will bring it out. Trust me.
An offering of a smile or holding a door open for someone. Be authentic, present, and vulnerable. This is where the magic happens.
One of my favorite things to do is listen to live music. Open mic at Everelse, where musicians, young and old, share their stories and their songs. Rap to folk to poetry. I applaud their pluck and their gift.
Our island artisans, farmers market and flea markets. I envision these beautiful souls sitting by a fire on our long winter nights making, assembling, and simmering. The lady who weaves dry flowers into a wreath with blossoms she grew in her garden this past summer.
Jewelers that never gave up creating, nor slowed down during covid, they just learned how to offer their wares online.
Now they find themselves tentatively out in public once again, joyful and appreciating.
Those making elixirs, potions, soaps, and tonics are more than happy to find the perfect concoction for a chapped hand or sore back.
The ones who cook, distill, and bake from the heart. Favorite recipes shared and enjoyed by all. Those that grow and raise, deliver, and offer supreme nourishment.
Take to your heart, the painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and writers. Embrace them for sharing their talent and craft.
The healers, forecasters and diviners shine their lights as helpers and guides for our souls gathering. The beautiful light of love and truth.
The hikers and walkers who offer a smile to those they pass. The tree huggers and the animal appreciators. The horse whisperers and those that love horses just because. Or who love the one who loves the horse.
New loves and new friends. Puppies and kittens, an old girl dog named Ruth Bader Ginsberg and the dear one who gave her a forever home.
As the nights get longer, more festivities, friendships, greetings and get togethers.
The night brings us out. The lights twinkle, and I get dressed up and greet the town. I smile and feel gratitude and love for magical Friday Harbor and all its lovely people.
Those of us who caress the cold and embrace the long winter nights. All the folks are stellar indeed.
