Did I mention that the flip side of complaining is being grateful and joyous?

Today my professional suite hosted the first art event of 2015.  Six visual artists, a poet, a novelist and two musicians graced the corridors of Suite 100.  I had been fearful that the event would not be successful. Spring weather, the absence of normal helpers, and my harried schedule threatened to create the perfect storm of failure.  But thanks to Penny Thieme, who curates the shows; Jenna Munoz, the new lawyer in our suite; and Scott Anderson, one of our guest artists; all of the set-up got finished an hour before the first guest arrived.  Plenty of time!

Over a three-hour period, about sixty people came to meet the artists and view the fabulous art on our walls.  Some of my favorite folks attended, including Anne Jones and her service dog Katie.  Ms. Jones is the cousin of my favorite curmudgeon, and seeing her reminded me so much of him.  My heart sang.  Old friends increased my happiness.  But I made new friends, too.  And folks who had never attended any of our events admired the suite along with the art, and praised my colleagues and I for opening  our professional suite so artists can have an unfettered venue.

I am so pleased to be able to introduce art to Kansas City.  I am thankful, too, for my friend Penny Thieme, who founded the VALA art community of which the displaying artists are members.  My life is richer because of this opportunity.

The flip side of discontent and complaint —  I’m all there today.  Grateful and joyous.

Like my mother before me, I am not photogenic. But as there was no other record of my attendance, I posed with the lovely and talented Penny Thieme. Just to prove that I was there.