Part III: When you get lost you can always be found

 It was a little shop with different handmade and art objects. When I entered I asked myself how that place contained all that stuff. The seller was talking with another customer so I started looking around. There were a lot of painted plates and glasses, some paintings and bracelets and earrings and other jewelries. But what drew my attention were some objects made of glass. Black, red, blue, those were ones of the most beautiful glass sculptures I had ever seen.
- They were made by a local artist. I turned around. The other customer had left. And also the paintings. It is such a shame that we don't have an art gallery here. You know, just for people to watch, to discover what this is all about. We promote too much the people outside our country and we forget our real artists, the ones that see the beauty in this place we call home.What you think?
I didn't know why but I was fascinated by her words. It is like I was supposed to meet those people in that night.
- I agree. I mean, nowadays, we just want our kids to learn more and more. And we don't offer them other possibilities. It's like we don't want to poison them. She looked at me and smiled.
- You know, I see a lot of people passing by my door and
just some enter my shop. And from those just a few really understand. I started to realise from the moment they say the first words from which side of the country they are and what kind of people they are. Although we speak the same language, if you meet someone from another region you will how different we are.
- Yeah, that's so true.
- But to go back where I started, it is so bad that we don't encourage our kids to be more creative. You see, my father was a priest and he taught me some of the most important lessons. From him I enherited the talent of singing and from my mother the one of painting. I discovered the real values and I want to share them to those who want to listen.
You know, I love painting, I love art. It is my life and for a long time it was my job, but in life we have to make decisions. We have to choose between things that make our life, things that we love. And from those we have to choose the one we love more. In my case I chose family and I will never regret it. If I chose differently, I wouldn't have my daughter now and my husband who still encourages me to try to make a career through painting.
- But why don't you try, then?
- I just don't want to. We can't have everything in life. It is one path or another. Yes, you can try to have both, but for me it would be exhausting. I am too old for this. I have already made my choice and that's the way it is supposed to be.
I saw tears in her eyes and I knew that she was saying the truth. She was happy with her life the way it was. I was also about to cry, but I tried not to and I changed the subject.
- I am sorry for...I would like to buy this little box for jewelries.
- Yes, of course. Just let me to pack it for you. While she was doing that she said another thing. Don'tbe afraid to take chances! Life has something for all of us and if it is meant to be...well then, just live that life wisely. She gave me the box and looked me in the eyes. And don't forget to encourage your kids to embrace art! At least as a hobby!
- I won't! Thank you! I gave her the money and I left. It was such a beautiful night outside. The sky, the stars, the wind, the noise, the people...the music, oh the music. I could feel everything. It was amazing, so real, so simple. It was the way it is supposed to be. I found a bench and I sat there to contemplate that world. I wanted to see the box again so I ripped the paper, but when I opened the box, inside of it, I found a bookmark which had written on it:
"LOVE.DREAM.LIVE.FEEL.READ.WRITE.ACT.SING.DANCE.LISTEN. and do this MORE"
I went happy home. As I woke up the next morning, I knew which was my decision and what I had to do. I took a walk to the same shop but when I got there I couldn't find it. I thought it was the wrong location but then I searched every street, I asked people about it, but no one knew what I was talking about. I was so confused I thought it was a dream, but then I found the bookmark in my pocket and I knew it.
It was real, but only the ones who are lost could see it. And I was no longer lost...