Creative Tension

Thirty-five years ago we set out together
only to painfully and frustratingly discover how very different we are.

For years we have been doing the clumsy dance
of trying to wed our differences and produce legitimate offspring.

Along the way about three decades in… we were surprised to discover
how very much alike we are in one vital way…

After suffering though our differences for a few years
and learning to celebrate them for a few decades
—during which we raised eight beautiful, personable, creative, intelligent, unique children
—we now sit quietly of an evening in our cottage and create things.

I tell stories with words and keyboard
and occasionally even an old-fashioned pen and paper.
She tells stories with images.
In a very core way we are alike.

We both are and always have been childlike creatives.
Neither of us are easily discouraged.
We spar with each other a bit
but we have always faced the whole wide world back-to-back…

I like to consider myself the optimist of the pair
but I have never known Lois to give in to melancholy—not even for a full day.
She doesn’t pump sunshine non-stop
but I have never known her to be depressed
or yield to discouragement without a little fight in her.
She can hit the curve ball.
She may fall but she always lands on her feet.

So after all these years we have this wonderful trait in common.
We are creative types who are blessed
with a deep well of courage in our souls,
praise be to God.