The Shape of Her

I love that kind of quiet transformation—the kind that doesn’t require a life overhaul or a big, bold declaration. The kind that grows quietly, organically, and one day shows up in the most unexpected places.

Not all transformations announce themselves. Some are so quiet, we recognize them only in hindsight There are soft signs that we’ve become someone new.

Like a shelf of pottery.

A while back I dropped by the pottery studio of an acquaintance. The artist was a woman I knew, not well but enough for a chat and I loved her craft. The storefront was a shop, behind was the pottery studio.

When I entered the shop, she rose slowly from where she was crouching, adjusting a display. As she rose and turned to greet me, I saw she was many months pregnant. Her body full of life, round, glowing. Organic. Unmistakably with child.

We chatted for a bit. She was well. Happy. Continuing to create.

We went into the studio. A lovely old room. Racks everywhere. A kiln. Potters’ wheels. Barrels of clay. Rows of glazes. And a nursery of forms ready for the kiln.

The forms appeared naked. Round in the middle, softly swollen, gently curved. Feminine. Organic. Alive.

I studied the forms for a while then slowly, thoughtfully said, “They’re all pregnant!” I grinned, “Every one of them. All of your pots are pregnant. They all have your beautiful belly.”

She was a bit stunned at my exclamation but looked over the racks of forms. Then shook her head and laughed outright. Heartily.

She hadn’t realized before but saw it now. It was beautiful.

Our ability to adapt is amazing. Our ability to change isn’t quite as spectacular.
—Lisa Lutz

Some change is seismic. Some change is tender. Gradual. Not a storm—but a slow curve.

A little roundness here.
A soft edge there.
A quiet shift in shape.

And sometimes, when we least expect it, we catch a glimpse of ourselves in what we’ve created—and realize we’ve already begun to grow.

What’s changed in your life—quietly, gracefully, without needing to ask permission?
I’d love to hear.

Until next time,