Grateful Dead and Incense... I mean hotdogs.

Socially awkward, walking around feeling slightly inept at any interactions- even my own with the sidewalk- never mind running into people I know; It's a Sunday morning in Towson.  Enjoying the outdoor cafe table, Italian music, latte and a friendly waitress, reading an amazing book- ( The Anatomy of the Soul by: Curt Thompson! more on that later, I'm sure.) However, I'm still gathering clutter in my mind. Problems I cannot yet solve, and questions I cannot yet answer, stresses I can't seem to brush off. Breathing tries to pick up, I'm too slick for that; a few breathing exercises and peaceful thoughts and we're good. About to drive home, and I just don't want to, nothing wrong with being home but I just felt so blah. 


Sent a text to a good friend (how nicely I just avoided that strange word- texted.), asking her what she was up to. "OMG... come with me, you'll love what I have to do today" I shook my head, and laughed.  this could be anything. Knowing Kate, it's something creative. 


Creative is just the beginning of the glorious afternoon we proceeded to share. 


I got to her apartment and finished her chili's leftovers before our departure. A little bit timid, not sure what kind of people we were going be meeting, I followed her down to her car. 


We arrived. My eyes beheld the following: A green tenty-thing over a picnic table, a few fold-out chairs. two grills, meat cooking (deep breath -yum), mustaches and tattoos to the max, oh the delight. Adjacent to the happy sight was one that made the whole picture even happier. A WV van, the top popped up, and the tailgate set up with more yummeroonies. Here's the kicker: the entire van was painted white. Not white like the paintjob... white like primer. That's right, the van was the canvas for these two painters, and a few others. The family was gathering for a cookout and a collective expression of color and form all over this fantastic traveling hotel. 


There were like 6 places to sleep in this little thing. Upon sitting in the van and learning all about the hidden hammocks and beds and stuff - I told Kate "I think I just found my calling!" Hahaha. We proceeded to spend the rest of the day painting our side of the bus. It looked amazing. It was a blast.


The cool thing is -this is going to sound kind of sappy, but a few weeks ago I asked that God would give me an art therapist, or art therapy in my break time. For free. And I just now realized I got a sort of answer to that prayer. It's really hard to stress about stuff when you are listening to Grateful Dead and other assorted hippie music, painting your heart out, and laughing with an old buddy. Tension just kind of melted away, awkwardness and all (now that's gotta be supernatural! haha) 

And---- I got to meet such wonderful people and they gave me yummy food, lots of water, and hugs. I think Jesus hangs out here.