Serendipity, Social Media, & Sunday Brunch

 

I wanted a sketch for my blog.

Nothing fancy. Just a pen and ink drawing. I asked the only person I knew who could do this. Quite easily, too. I thought he was actually going to do it. I wanted so badly for him to come through for me. But he didn’t. Or wouldn’t. Or couldn’t. I don’t know. And so it was with much disappointment and upset that I fell into a silly hole of self pity. I needed a big, fat helping of get-over-it.

What I received instead was an email. It was from a fabulous tweep, Geoff Le Pard. He had no idea I wanted an image for my new blog. When what to my wondering eyes did appear? An attachment for me and a note of good cheer.

Over Sunday brunch, Geoff and his nephew were discussing a post I had written about social media. I mentioned that when I do too many things at once, they all suck. Especially when the things I still needed to do were piled on top of my head. Lisa Reiter commented that this would make a great cartoon. Geoff’s nephew, who I will call Peter (because that is his name), happens to be an artist. While eating an apple crumble, Peter quickly scribbled an image of what he imagined my life to be. Scribbles by talented people can be quite impressive. That is what arrived with Geoff’s email.

Serendipity is such fun.

I cried. Then I sent a gushy email back about how wonderful they both were and how the timing bordered on magical.

With a few minor alterations (like adding lots of wine and getting rid of some of those roundish metal things with handles that go on the stove), the drawing was perfect.

I am so grateful to Geoff and his nephew, Peter, for providing this incredible image. For me. To use however I wish. I feel like Cinderella. Without the dress or shoes or pumpkin carriage… Okay, I don’t feel like Cinderella at all. It’s the fairy godmother thing I was thinking of. Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo!

Isn’t she awesome?

Geoff said to think of this as a random act of kindness or a pay it forward. And so I will. But what can I offer? I can’t draw so sending a beautiful work of art to you is out. I can drink coffee while getting my shoes on and blowing an 8-yr-old’s nose. (Not helpful, but true and pretty impressive if I do say so myself.) Going through the list here… I can play Mary Had a Little Lamb on the piano. If I try really hard, I can probably fail fifth grade math. Oh, hell, I’m talentless.

Here’s what’s going to happen. If you comment on this post, I will randomly choose one of you for a pay it forward. I will send The Chosen One a brand new copy of Matchless by Gregory Maguire (bestselling author of  Wicked, Lost, Mirror Mirror, and many other fantastic novels—he’s brilliant). Matchless is a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Match Girl”. I read this. I loved this. I bought extra copies of this (for friends, family, and apparently an unforeseen give-away).

“Matchless glows with aching beauty…An eloquent retelling…A wonderful gift.” – Huntsville Times

The Peter Le Pard Pay It Forward:
This is, of course, international. Last date to enter a comment for the book is November 12th. I will contact the lucky recipient via email and will make a goofy announcement in the comment section. 🙂