I hope she listens.

To the woman at the night market:

Last weekend, I was one of the many vendors at The Witch’s Cottage’s celestial night market. It was the Spring Equinox, and the air felt alight with good energy. I had a steady stream of folks pass through my tent, many of whom stopped to chat or make a purchase. Towards the end of the evening, you and your young daughter came up. You were speaking excitedly, pointing around to all my wares.

“See? The people here have made careers of their art. They’re creative, just like you.”

You pointed to the many things I sell, encouraging your daughter all the while. She immediately gravitated to the Ditto sticker and t-shirt. The ditto sticker says, “BE ANYTHING”.

I can’t imagine a better audience for that product than a child.

First of all: well done, Mom. There are too many beautiful, artistic souls that have been crushed by parents worried about their children making “practical” career decisions. It is a breath of fresh air to see you genuinely supportive of your child’s creativity. So few of us get that privilege.

I watched you try to foster conversations between your daughter and the vendors. She was a bit shy, as children often are, but that didn’t stop you from hyping her up, telling all of us about the stickers she makes at home. She hid behind you a bit as you spoke, but that’s alright. She was smiling.

This was good, Mom. Every bit of success I’ve ever gotten out of my creative career can be attributed to one thing: I talked to people about my art. Even the most talented artists in the world will struggle to get anywhere if they can’t talk to people about the things they make. Teach her this early. Get her comfortable speaking to her creative efforts.

Better yet: I hope you take this lesson far beyond art.

Teach her that she doesn’t need anyone’s permission to talk about the things she loves. Teach her that anything she makes — art, memories, relationships — are all freaking miracles in their own right. Teach her that there is nothing more beautiful in this universe than watching people light up with the things that bring them joy.

I hope she listens.

And thank you, Mom, for stopping by my tent. Thank you for introducing me to your daughter. Sometimes, it’s easy to forget about the little girl from 30 years ago, going door to door, selling drawing to her neighbors for a dollar. I’m so, so glad to be reminded of her.

Love, Lea

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