~ Being visible ~

Weeds_sky
Something really unexpected happened yesterday. Abby and I were in town; we'd had lunch out and were perusing the high street, drawn to shops with air conditioning (it was insanely hot yesterday). As we were nearing home time and starting to flag, we popped into one last shop for a last-minute present, and to try on a few of the dresses that were on sale. We were helped by a lovely young woman, who was wearing the most fabulous top (from here; i asked her). On our way out we paid, did our usual sister-comedy routine at the till when we realised we'd forgotten wrapping paper and a card, so doubled back, chose some, and paid again (are you keeping up?)

It was when we were about to leave that the lovely woman in the fabulous top looked at me and tentatively asked: 'Is your name Susannah?'

'Yes it is,' I said, feeling my face flush a little.

'I read your blog,' she said.

Friends, this has never happened before! I was two parts embarrassed to one part thrilled. It was humbling and weird and lovely, all at once, and completely made my day. We chatted for a bit before Abby and I made our exit, and when I got home i mused on how my word for the year  – visible – has now officially been achieved. Paula, I'm so glad you said hello!

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In other news, I've been rather visible on the internet over the last week or so – i know, i know, it's an addiction. You can find me chatting about the creative life over on Create Well… Create Often, and I'm moaning talking about my rainy summer in a guest post for the lovely Stephanie Levy. And if that's not enough, you'll find my final Super 16 column for Paper n Stitch here

Happy Wednesday! and ps. i have a Creative Life interview to share with you tomorrow that i am really excited about……

My eleventh finger

Ashleyg[Abby’s pressie from me: a custom portrait by Ashley Goldberg]

I’ve known her since the day she was born. I don’t remember much about the first few years, but the memories I do have, from the whole of my life so far, include Abby. Being someone’s big sister is a huge responsibility, something that is thrust upon you whether you want it or not. ‘Look after your sister’ are words you heard often, whether you were walking down the road to school, or sitting watching TV while your mum popped out to the shops. I don’t know if i have always looked after Abby very well; i know there were periods when i was emotionally unavailable to her, wrapped up in my own dramas and too busy looking at my own navel to see my sister reaching out a hand to me. But in recent years we have gotten closer than ever, the roles of ‘big sister’ and ‘little sister’ merging into a friendship, one that has the whole of our lives as its foundation – truly a precious gift. I know i worry too much about her, but that is as normal as breathing is to me; i would give everything i have and everything i am to keep her from harm. Sometimes this means i don’t know where I end and Abby begins, but i am working on giving her space from her over-opinionated, over-protective older sister!

Happy birthday, my sweet beautiful sister. I love you xo

Abby_hammock