Sunday
Jul182010
The Summer Apprentice
July 18, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Marcie 
She flew in on wings of white feathers. Her childhood joys and toys left and behind her. Her future hopes and dreams to help her take flight. Laughter and light. A breath of fresh air and a touch of magic…all landing at my front door and safe harbor.
She – this magical sprite of a girl – was to be my summer intern. A someone who would watch..observe..learn from me. Me – being the experienced sage. She – being the novice. Me – being the teacher. She – the student..poised and ready.
Altho I can’t honestly say that I’ve come to the place in my life where I might consider myself ‘experienced’..I suppose that I am. That I actually have something to offer..has come as somewhat of a revelation. Me? When was it that I crossed the line between not-knowing..and knowing? When was it that I became old enough to be considered practiced..and no longer the one who still has so much to learn? When is it that I became a ripened professional..and not a one that is still very green? And – do I really have anything to offer this mere child who is so eager to grow herself up and be a part of this adult world?
So many questions. How – I wondered – am I going to meet her in her time and space? How – I worried – will she meet me in mine?
A new adventure. A new chapter. Wasn’t it just yesterday that I sat in her chair..while another patiently sat here in mine? Someone who held my dreams..my hopes…my magical plans in the palms of their hands?? Wasn’t it just yesterday that it was me looking over someone else’s shoulder…soaking all of their experience in like a dry and hungry sponge???
Cautiously..slowly – we began. I’d made lists of tasks I thought she could attend to. My agenda. But – what was hers? Surely – any good teacher would take that into account as well as all else?
It’s been almost two months since she began. I’ve had to adjust how I work in my small space. Whereas I am at my best first thing in the morning..she is never quite awake. As I fade in the late of day..she comes alive. Slowly – I’d like to believe that we’ve learned to respect each other’s natural rhythms..and to know when to step in and or away.
At this age and stage of my game, the solutions to design problems come relatively easily. I’ve been doing what I do for too many years. The answers seem obvious…the options fewer and farther between. I tend to take the road that is tried and true and oh-so-familiar..instead of the one that is not. Budgets rule. Practicality. I’d almost forgotten how it is to dream. She- on the other hand - sees thru young eyes. Possibility. And nothing much else. Yes – she is learning from me..but I – in turn – am learning so much from she.
Under her breath I hear her occasional mumbling and grumbling about the latest quick sketch. A rough idea. A sketch that was ‘imperfect’. One that I intended for her to make ‘real’. Silently – I chuckle to myself. Oh – how I remember when those who once taught and mentored me would provide me a doodle done on the back of a lunch napkin. A quick and seemingly random thought. An unformed concept. One that I was expected to transform into something else. I’d forgotten. So much does get forgotten along life’s way.
Still – I see myself as that young girl on the precipice of adulthood. Innocent and naïve. Always seeking and searching for something more. Imagining myself someday to be ‘this’. The wise one. The experienced. The one who has something to offer others who still have so much to learn.
How it happened that I am now in this chair..and no longer in that – is somewhat of a mystery. Days and months become years. Years become decades. And – here I am. I’ve arrived at my chosen destination…in this place..at this time.
She bows deeply in respect for her elders..for all of us women who have opened up doors. She is ready to listen..to learn…to absorb and to see. And to her – I bow even more deeply right back. For reminding me from whence and where I came..and that I am no longer there...but here and now today.
Reader Comments (13)
This is a sense of having arrived, Marcie, even though we all know there is room for more growth and learning. You HAVE arrived and I am proud of and for you. Surely it is an AHA experience!
It reminds me of something I heard years ago about the great explorers and adventurers of the past: their greatest acheivements were done in their youth when they were wild and crazy and had no fears! We, the elders, are considered the wise sages. They, the youth, are the fearless trendsetters who show us new and often better ways. And to think you are providinfg the space for this kind of creativity. I really am proud of you!
Marcie, first of all a stunning hypnotic image today! and then your words will be sticking to my heart throughout the day! Great!
Beautiful post Marcie, beautiful!! To be able to make a difference in another persons life, to spread out your knowledge, feed her curiousity, yet let her explore who she needs to be, in other words: guide her... that must be so overwhelming!! It is like raising your children I guess. I never had an apprentice, but have been an apprentice myself. I know my confidence grew over the months, not in the least to thank to my warm, understanding and all-knowing teacher!
Your picture is astoundingly beautiful too!
It must feel like a privilege to have you as a tutor.
This was wonderful. That image is absolutely amazing...more and more you capture these perfect moments, I can't imagine how you do it.
Yes, the years go by almost without us noticing, don't they. And then something makes you stop and look and realize that you have gone from there to here. But that sense of wonder, that sense of youth, innocence, naivete, I try to hold onto those, that is what keeps you young.
Always in your photos, through your eyes, that sense is there.
I want to be your apprentice! I never want to be too old to learn new tricks. I'm sure you are a wise teacher.
Wow!
I love this image and your post is beautiful. To have experience enough to mentor someone in this way and still to be open to their youth and fresh eyes takes an open mind and heart, I think.
First of all - beautiful image, Marcie. Another reason to envy you and your vacation. Second, I think it is a fantastic opportunity for you both. I'm sure when the internship is done you'll find that you've learned just as much as your intern has, maybe not in tangible ways, but in intangible ways.
Yes! Yes, to both the wonderful image and your thoughtful post.
Your words reminded me so much of my teaching career and the numerous student teachers I enjoyed so much. They always told me they learned so much from me, but I always felt that I learned from them! They, after all, were the ones with the fresh, new, innovative, and creative ideas.
the image really matched the depth of your story..the story touched my heart..thanks!
Marcie, this is sooo great, women of all ages have something to celebrate, but i wish i had something to offer to someone young, did i waste my life?
what a lucky girl to be able to have this experience; and how lovely that she has come into your life. i wonder what you'll 'teach' each other - that's often the way of it, and in ways you least expect. i am often so astonished by the marvel that is 'the sisterhood', those wonderful relationships of all descriptions that we women are able to share!
Gorgeous image today Marcie. Your words touched my heart and I will take them with me.