Our Gallery Visitor

Photo by Miao Liu

Caleb, Bethany and I stayed up talking ’til 2am, just debriefing opening night, the show and the future of Peerless. Our feet ached, our bodies were sore from many days of hard work to prepare our space. It was the best kind of tired—satisfied and celebratory.

Maybe it was the effects of last night’s wine or maybe it was the wound-up excitement, but my eyes popped open at 7 this morning. I thought I’d be sleeping all day. I made some coffee to keep me and my thoughts company in the quiet house. The thing I keep going back to is that moth, the one who landed in the puddle outside Peerless yesterday afternoon.

It was a female Callosamia Promethea. Bethany picked up the water-logged beauty and carefully dried her off with tissue paper. While we worked on last minute set up, the moth sat on a paper towel, gently fanning her wings dry. She stayed with us through most of the reception, then flew away.

It was like an almost-friend showed up, one that was not so much cheering us on, but bearing witness to our momentous day and bringing a gentle blessing before she aired her wings and flew away.

I did some googling and found that while a butterfly forms in a delicate chrysalis, a moth forms in a cocoon with a hard casing to protect it from the elements. It speaks to themes of nurture, protection and self-care during times of development. Her visit reminded me that I want and need to take care of myself during this time. I will nurture my inner being and take what I need to be healthy.

A moth is drawn to lunar light. It symbolizes intuition and heightened awareness. I want to remember to follow my spiritual compass and to remain grounded in reflection and awareness of all the miracles around me. I will notice small signs of big things in the midst of these busy, new, hard-working times.

Resting in love and light,

D.

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P.S. On a somewhat related side note: This week Caleb and I encountered a Sudanese man who has been walking around Omaha, tirelessly and somewhat desperately searching for a job. His name is Gabriel. We have had some serendipitous encounters with Gabriel—one directly following Emerging Terrain’s triumphal outcome with the zoning board of appeals.

Though we can’t offer Gabriel a full-time job, we were able to give him a few hours work helping us to clean and prepare Peerless for last night’s opening. He was such a great help, a hard worker and feels like a gentle soul. He speaks English and is looking for full time work in a factory, or janitorial or restaurant service. If you know of any leads, please send them my way and we will pass them on to him.

Caleb and I both have heavy hearts for immigrants and the vulnerability they must feel as they navigate a new life and bewildering culture. We appreciate any leads to jobs, assistance or training that you could offer.

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