The Girl in the Poppy Field

Soul Gypsy Chronicles · By Dana Ashley

"Falling in love with life again breeds life."

Those words came to me as I began noticing something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I’m 62. For much of my life, I’ve felt as though I was living in fight or flight—always moving, always thinking about what needed doing. Even when I created something, my own mind could tell me it wasn’t finished, wasn’t enough, wasn’t good enough.

After feeling flat for so long, it can be difficult to answer a question as simple as, “What brings you joy?”

But I can tell you about a moment.

A little book nook

My daughter, Addison, got her space at Reminisce and began turning it into her own little book nook.

I watched her ideas come to light. She was smiling through the process, seeing that she could do it. She was enjoying the steps while the space was still becoming what she imagined.

I loved taking it all in.

I felt so proud of her—and felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I let her know.

“Thank you, Mom,” she said.

It was a small exchange, but I will always hold it.

The gift I hoped to give her

As my mom lives with dementia, I see moments of fear and distress that feel painfully familiar. It has made me think about how I’ve lived, and what I hope can be different for my daughter.

The gift I hope I gave Addison is to live in the moment, enjoy the steps, and believe in what life could be.

Watching her create that space, I wondered whether I could learn a little of that from her, too.

I don’t have to know where every idea will lead before I enjoy it. I’m trying to give myself room to discover what interests me, what moves me, and what I want to create next.

The girl among the poppies

That feeling is finding its way into my artwork.

The girl in the poppy field—with her tousled hair, vintage sunglasses, and face lifted toward the sky—holds a sense of freedom and possibility for me.

She is part of the world I’m creating through Soul Gypsy Chronicles: stories and illustrations about women, change, creativity, and finding moments that bring us back to ourselves.

I’m beginning with what I know. A daughter smiling in her book nook. A mother watching. A feeling worth holding.

The heart of Soul Gypsy

This belongs alongside my work at Soul Gypsy Salon and Sanctuary.

I care about helping women navigate their hair and scalp needs through menopause, illness, stress, and life changes. We can talk about routines, products, scalp comfort, and the care that fits everyday life.

And we can make room for the person having that experience—her questions, her preferences, and her wish to feel heard.

I’m learning to make that room for myself, too.

These Chronicles are beginning while I’m still figuring things out. Today, I have this moment with Addison.

I will always hold it.

With love,

Dana