On February 29 I took a class at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to create a pate de verre glass tile of a gerbera daisy. (See the glass tile I created above.) It struck me today, when I went to pick up the glass tile at the arboretum that three short months ago it was
A Different World
Today I had to have a special reservation to enter the Arboretum. The parking lot which was often quite full by 9:00 AM had only a few cars in the first row of the lot. Signs pointed to the paths I could walk on and the direction I should be walking. And everywhere I looked there were signs reminding me to keep a 6 foot distance between myself and others. As I entered the Arboretum gift store I wore a mask over my mouth and nose as did the clerk who gave me my wrapped glass tile to take home.
On February 29, sixteen women from across the twin cities, one glass artist, and one Arboretum education assistant gathered together in a classroom for an entire day. We sat side by side in the crowded classroom and only wore masks to protect ourselves from glass dust when someone was pouring glass powder. Though news of spreading corona virus was on everyone’s radar, none of us was particularly worried about being together in that classroom for a day. And on that day I don’t think any of us imagined the changes that would occur in two short weeks.
Change Can Happen So Quickly
Three months ago I would not have imagined the changes to my life and to everyone’s lives around me due to the worldwide pandemic. Though I am very sad about the many lives lost and the economic devastation for many, the speed and amount of change everyone has made brings me great hope. Recent events in Minneapolis, around the U.S. and across the world have been sad and difficult after the senseless killing of George Floyd by police officers last week. But change is beginning to happen as a result of activists here and around the world. It’s long past time for change and for all of us to address racial justice.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
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I have no idea how the world will look a year from now, but I believe it will be radically different. It’s up to us to work towards positive change for all. There are so many people with good hearts here in Minnesota and everywhere. We create change one small step at a time. It starts in our own hearts, in our own lives. First we change ourselves. As a white person I have much learning and introspection to do about how I am a part of systemic racism. One step at a time, one step at a time…
Are you also feeling like you live in a different world today than you did three months ago? How has it changed you?
“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”
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May you walk in beauty.
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