The Colour Purple

I think it pisses God off when you walk by the colour purple in a field and don't notice it.
~ Shug in Alice Walker's The Colour Purple

It is no secret that purple is a favourite colour of mine. My friend Susanne knows it. This is a photo of her taken after a shopping spree in NYC. She loves to ballroom dance and bought this very elegant dress. I also bought a sexy, black dress in NYC that weekend. Susanne and I spent a year together with Sojourners Community in Washington, DC back in the late 1980’s. We shared a name, a room and a love of traveling. We spent as many weekends as we could sightseeing and exploring the area.

Yesterday her birthday package arrived.

She knows me well. The purple contents were a delight. A shawl, an evening bag, a floral clip, and necklace will be well used on my Alaskan cruise for the suppers, and at formal events elsewhere.

I am grateful for many of my friendships that span years—two, three, and four decades. Susanne is just one of my dear friends who remain in my life. We have met around the world: Germany, France, Maine, and Florida. As she also turns 50 later this year, I hope that our paths can cross to celebrate this milestone together in person. I think God does get annoyed when we don’t notice the beauty in front of us, whether that is the colour purple in a field or the soul of a person who blesses us. In trying to live more attentively, I am keeping my eyes peeled for beauty and joy. Ain’t no way I want to piss off God by not noticing it.

Peace,

Suzanne