Growing up, Cherie believed that the colour red best described her. It was an easy association, as friends and family seemed to link her name with cherries. The small fruits appeared on clothes and accessories, and even on the curtains of her bedroom. She was drawn towards the deep red of ripe cherries, and sought out scarves and make up to accentuate this when she was a young woman, even if accessories with images of cherries were no longer part of her brand. It seemed to match her energy and ambition to make the most out of life.

Cherie’s ex-husband said that if her personality had a colour, it would be a dark and turbulent shade of blue. He said she was distant and inflexible, but by this stage of their relationship they were unable to see redeeming features in each other. Cherie described him as dull grey, like a worn out piece of clothing.

She knew that the colours that she was drawn to shifted over time. The bright cherry red phase faded to a burnt orange interest, and when Cherie lived by the coast for several years she felt that the aquamarine tones of the ocean reflected her mellowing personality and outlook on life.

But her favourite colour, despite dalliances with others over the years, was a deep emerald green. Green made her feel safe and secure, and emphasized the nurturing side of her personality. She felt most at peace when sitting in the garden she had created, with dappled light filtering through the leaves onto the soft lawn. Cherie loved to share this space with family and friends, talking, listening and laughing as they swapped stories and enjoyed the serenity.

I’m participating in this blogging challenge for the month of January, which supports starting the year on the “write” track. You can find other posts with #bloganuary and join in the challenge.

Photo: red cherries