A Bespoken Piece
A couple of days ago, I was honored to receive a custom calligraphy piece request from one of my students. She sought to bestow upon her longtime friend a gift of significance, a token of appreciation for their enduring bond. In her tender words, she painted a portrait of her friend—a luminous tapestry woven with threads of intelligence, beauty, and success, all set against the backdrop of a harmonious marriage, where love flows freely from her adoring husband.
With a heart full of sincerity, she entrusted me with a quest: to unearth an ancient verse, a melody of friendship and goodwill, to adorn her gift with sentiments. Through the corridors of history and the whispers of antiquity, I embarked on a journey of seeking the perfect words to encapsulate their cherished friendship.
And then, amidst the gentle rustle of parchment and the soft sighs of ancient tomes, I stumbled upon it—a gem of poetic brilliance, radiant with the warmth of spring and the promise of endless renewal. "岁岁春无事，相逢总玉颜"— "Year after year, springs pass without incident; whenever we meet, your countenance is always like jade." It conveys the idea of enduring friendship and the beauty of a friend's presence. It’s like a whispered echo of friendship's embrace, a tribute to the unbreakable bond between kindred spirits.
Ah, the journey of customization has just begun. Next, I'll carefully select the finest rice paper, the perfect size and type of writing brush. The most challenging part lies in arranging and positioning each Chinese character in a manner that truly brings out the beauty of this ancient poem. Despite several attempts last night, I couldn't quite achieve the satisfaction I sought. Yet, undeterred, I persisted through the next day until every stroke reached the flawless perfection envisioned in my mind's eye. This process, you see, is the essence of my craft. Each calligraphy piece is a labor of love, a symphony of precision and deep focus. And in the end, as I gaze upon the final beauty, I can't help but feel a sense of pride—a testament to the joy found in every moment of creation.
With a smile upon my lips and a sense of quiet satisfaction in my heart, I knew that this exquisite verse would find its rightful place in the heart of my student's gift, a beacon of light to guide her friend through the seasons of life with grace, beauty, and unwavering friendship.
