Iris- the colorful

Today, I got a surprising call from my dearest friend and sister of the heart. She described how her daughter had been discussing a college project to draw an animal that had the qualities of the Greek Rainbow Goddess Iris. I am not well versed in Greek mythology like my friend and her daughter- both literary, prose and English devotees. I listened casually as she described the Rainbow Goddess as persistent, a little sassy and elegant. Then, she said, “I told her to just draw Aunt Peg”. I thought about it for a moment and said, “what a nice start to my day”!!! Thank you for the kind compliment. She just laughed and said, “it describes you to a Tee”. You know you are a little sassy, when people don’t listen and do what needs to be done. The Goddess Iris is the messenger of the Gods and tells people what they need to do.

OK, I confess, I do. I can’t help myself. I see and I say, what is true and then, I don’t stop there. I always share what needs to be done.  Action is the litmus test. If you really hear and see and get the full message, you have to do something about it. In some ways, I feel like Lily looks. Watching and waiting, until something doesn’t sit well, then, I am barking.

It reminds me of a few other moments when my qualities have warranted a verbal report.

I am not always sure if everyone is being complimentary. I was told once that I used “colorful language”. Maybe, that was a precursor of the Rainbow Goddess coming out. And, another person said that being with me was like being “on a moving sidewalk”. When I asked about that, it was described as slightly unsettling and not necessarily enjoyable!!

It’s always nice to learn something about Greek mythology and yourself, in the same moment. I think I will order this series of books for my granddaughters. If I had read more of the Odyssey or other great works of literature, I could have enjoyed this compliment even more!!! Who knew there were “lesser known” Greek Goddesses and I was the embodiment of Iris? Now, we both do!!

If nothing else, it has prompted me to look back on what fables and fairy tales I did read and enjoy. I find Hans Christian Anderson to be my favorite writer, credited with The Little Mermaid, Princess and the Pea, The Ugly Duckling and Thumbelina.

He is quoted as saying, Life itself if the most wonderful fairytale.

Sometimes, I feel the very same way!!