I M Perfect lady

Wearing a Tutu elicits so many different responses…within and from the outside.

"I don't need attention that bad…" was one of the negative thoughts spoken out loud.

My own sentiment from long ago.

But it wasn't about gaining attention…it was about having fun.

A perfect opportunity to wear a Tutu is the Keweenaw Color Run/Walk!

Being silly, childlike and filled with joy and happiness with yards of tulle dancing around your hips.  The Tutu begs for you to dance around, twirling…

In the past, I didn't have within me the space to do this.  

I felt so pleased that I was able to do this with grace and not shame or embarrassment.

I was in a place where the Tutu didn't define me, but added fun to my already happy state!

I was able to meet the Tutu and join its energy of play.

My first ever Tutu wearing at 56.  I loved it!

As we waltzed down the street covered in colors from head to tow, with the dancing Tutu, a family was exiting a church.  A young child clutching his Sunday School paper,  looked at us with great interest. The mother's face showed her disproval in her tight lips and adverted eyes.  

The perfect clash into her Sunday of worship…were 6 Tutu ladies, walking to start the week of Pride at Michigan Tech.

Our playful, fun and laughter met up with the seriousness of worship.

Did the child ask about us?

Did she respond?

I can't know know know what truly went on after our brief few second encounter; but I felt her non-acceptance of us.

We clashed with her ideals and beliefs….what she was striving to instill in her child at their place of worship.  The very demons she is hoping to spare him from were yards away…on the sidewalk in front of the church.  

Tutu wearing Pride walkers.

I was her years ago.

I don't know what I would have said or did say…if my children had witnessed a parade of walkers drenched in color merrily walking along…kicking off the start of Pride Week.

It felt so right that the walk began and was held during church hours.  It felt like our joyful walk, twirling dance of color and communion with others… was to offset the solemn energy of sinful talk…typical in many churches.

The simplicity of community joining, was to me what church is all about.

The acceptance of all and to have music, color and physical movement…moved our spirits to the level of joy.  That is church.

A church outside and one where Tutus are not only accepted, but needed…and our laughter the song that is sung!

 

Then, in the afternoon, I went to church again.

This time, my Art Class was held in an old church.  Its space dramatically changed from its original; yet not.  

Art fills the space and the old stainless windows bring in colorful light.

The juxtaposition between the old use and new, is so striking.

Both are in the business of Spirit.

Yet, to me….Art is so much more joyful and uplifting. 

Art connects you with your inner well…and fills it.

My old church labeled us Sinners.  

We were not filled with positive energies, but subtracted from.  

We were drained of spirit by the rules, beliefs and dogma that was preached.  

Our individual expression frowned upon.  

We were judged by our sins and the world was evil and to be feared.  

In my Art Class there was no judgment and free expression was appreciated.  There were no rules or beliefs that we needed to learn.

We arrived.

The blank canvas awaited our paint.

A group of individuals happily did as they felt drawn to draw.

We each chose our colors, our design…we freely created in harmony.

The church this time was total freedom.

What a beautiful use of a church.

I love how my Sundays now are mostly used for Art.

I would so go to this church EVERY Sunday.  I could stay all day and my soul would be overflowing.

(Michele's Art)

I always left my old church…knowing I was a poor sinner.  One who could only hope would die with her sins forgiven…so I could escape Hell in eternity.

This Sunday, I left the church feeling so excited to have experienced Heaven on Earth.

Both of my Sunday experiences included friends and strangers….alike.  We joined to play and walk together in peace, love and joy!  No negative talk allowed.

 

In the back of my jeep was the remnants of my Joyful Sunday….

A Tutu and Works of Art!