20 December 2024
Sometimes, we need to break apart to become whole again. Madeleine chose an adventurous bike ride, while I decided to saunter through art galleries. Seeing her on a bike brought back so many memories.
Back in the day, Madeleine’s hair would float in the wind as she rode in front, with Carin in the middle and me at the back, heading to school. I always felt responsible for seeing them off at primary school before continuing to my secondary school. Carin was always quiet and focused, but Madeleine had no bounds. She’d constantly look back, chat, and make sure we were still behind her.
When I looked at her photos from today’s ride, I felt a deep affection that took me straight back to the seventies. Those memories, so vivid and warm, reminded me of the bond we shared and the journey we’ve been on.
After we reunited, we decided to visit a pottery shop that seemed to call out to us. I kid you not, it was as if the place had a voice! We couldn’t resist and ended up spending time there. Years ago, we did pottery together—my kids were in pre-primary school, and her eldest was just two years old. We had so much fun, laughing and creating whatever our hearts desired.
Our teacher, a talented potter, quickly realized that we couldn’t stick to the rules. She encouraged us to embrace our own unique styles. During those classes, she introduced me to the rare pottery firing technique called Raku. The word Raku means contentment, enjoyment, and pleasure. This ancient process, developed around 500 years ago in Japan, involves quickly firing the kiln, removing the pottery while the glaze is still molten, and then rapidly cooling it.
Those memories came rushing back today, and it was beautiful to reconnect with the joy and creativity that pottery brings. It felt like a reminder of the simple pleasures that can make life so fulfilling.
The pots immediately caught my eye, and I was thrilled, thinking they were Raku pots. But the day had a surprise in store. These pots were fired using a completely different method: Saggar Firing.
In this process, each piece is placed in a paper bag and surrounded by combustibles like seaweed, straw, fruit peels, and sawdust. The pots are coated with metal oxides, salt, and wrapped with wire or steel wool. The bag with the pot and combustibles is then sealed and coated with newspapers and clay slip. Once the pots are fired in the kiln, they’re allowed to cool down slowly before being cleaned and waxed.
The gallery kept us captivated, and we were completely lost in the beauty that surrounded us. We looked at each other and agreed that this was pure soul food.
A sister is indeed the gift that keeps on giving. Just like the endless water in the ocean and the countless grains of sand on the beach, the memories and stories weave us together into a shared history. Now, I find myself in the front, with my youngest sister looking out for me, just like I used to for her.
