Started off like any other day really ...sun was up...shining bright and the coffee tasted especially good (which probably should have been my first hint about the day ahead) .... a few lovely squash were harvested, and our aches and pains seemed at a minimum.
We had a few chores to tend to out and about but nothing pressing...so we cooled our jets until about 10:30 am (late for us to get a start) ..we at last hopped in the car and headed to town ..heading down the street we drive each day when heading to the market. And there all of a sudden was a Garage Sale sign at our most favorite house on that long street to town...We have looked at this house for years with it's fantastic court yard and heavily shaded with lovely trees and shrubbery ..and beautiful boulders everywhere...this was 'done right' we would say. Well recently they put the house on the market ..and no surprise the house sold quickly ...and now one of our favorite houses in Lake Havasu was having a Yard Sale...and we just had to Go!...Though we got there 4 hours after the sale had started ..that was OK cause we basically just wanted the chance to see the 'special' house and yard up close... As I thought, there were just a few items left.....but everything there was high quality...I said Good Morning to the owner and she returned with a big smile and "Hello"...always wonderful and true to my belief, this was a good day. I then spied a piece of Pottery sitting on a beautiful dining table in the center of the garage...even from behind...I KNEW whose work it was...one of our favorite artists in Lake Havasu and a true Havasu Art Legend...Kimmberly Ioane !! I felt my step quicken to an actual sprint to get to it before anyone else ..there sat a beautiful 8 inch tall masterpiece..with a price on it that I could actually afford...my Heart Literally Soared!! So many things went through my mind...like how could she sell this beautiful art piece, why had no one purchased it before I arrived at the sale (lucky stars playing another part in my life) ... could this all be just one of my wishful 'dreams'?? ... but facts were facts...there the piece sat...and now IT WAS MINE!! The lady started to tell me about Kimmberly ...and I quickly said "oh we actually know her and of her work" and we both agreed that she is one of the most talented artists Lake Havasu has known. She was as giddy as I was about the work while going on to explain that she owned about 10 pieces (I quickly felt a better about her selling MY 'new' treasure.) They were a lovely older couple moving back to Washington State...she was sad about leaving but so happy she was taking art from AZ back with her. We continue to chat about Lake havasu, it's art, the beautiful land ..and of course Kimmberly. I explained that I have one very tiny nude wall piece of hers that I have adored for years and that I have lived vicariously through several of our friends larger pots on display in their homes...and only dreamed about owning one someday...and now I do (I am sure she could see my glee) ... I exclaimed that she made my entire month and as I was paying for my treasure....she all of a sudden told her husband to go over to a box they were packing for their journey back to Washington...and retrieve what was inside...He returned with a BIG Kimmberly Ioane pot (15" tall by 18" across ) ..we of course gasped at the sight...and then she said out of nowhere..."I want You to have this....take this...it's yours...I am thrilled to meet someone else that has the same feeling I do for Kimmberly's work as you...art should be shared and passed along so this is my gift to you...I know that it will be loved and cared for in a grand way as I have loved it"....(I remember word for word what she said...even now, and forever) ..well I was in shock (as was Richard) ...I must have said NO NO NO we can't take this a thousand times... saying let me pay you (knowing I could never afford it) ....but she stressed again "art should be shared...passed along to those that love it as much as I do, and beside...this needs to be a 'Gift'" well...I cried, hugged her , vowed that I would forever cherish it and treat it with care it deserves...and that I would think of her daily. I walked away feeling a gambit of emotions ...joy, quilt, pride, overwhelming satisfaction that we were the new caretakers of this beautiful art work that we had for so long dreamed of owning one day...
I shook all the way home which is something you don't want to be doing with a big Raku hand made art piece.... We have done nothing but stare at them both since they came into our home.
I have said many times in my life and feel even stronger that 'things' happen for a reason , we cross paths with others for a purpose , we share a moment in time with those we are meant to...life is a wonderful journey of the sharing ..and the receiving of the joy that it gives...
This lady to me is like a guardian angel (and I have met a few in my life) .... to offer a total stranger such a gift is beyond words... but paths crossed ..and there was a connection , I felt it, she felt it...
Before they leave we will gift them with something of ours so that this chain of goodness will continue....
