Dona Sofia
is a collection of private thoughts and prayers,
tales of both home and journey,
of ambition and apathy, the magical and mundane,
of great joy and sorrow.
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The name Donna \d(on)-na\ is of Italian origin meaning lady, however, the original connotation is closer to lady of the home. Dona is female equivalent to the historical title of Don for men (ie, Don Juan).
I’m not been especially fond of my birth name, yet after discovering its source, I find it remarkably fitting… even for one who pushes hard against the walls of domestic roles in the name of vocation. Restless and driven to lead, I talk too much, risk too much, thrill at adventure, and yet at my core I am still a nurturer. And, oh how I love a good party! I want everyone I know and love, to know and love each other. Nothing would make me happier than to bring everybody home for a feast around the table. Someone else would have to cook, of course…but what a wonderful time we’d have!
dona – Though my career path includes a number of professional roles, the truth of who I am, as well as my influence starts (and most likely ends) within the walls of whatever place I call home. Isn’t this true of us? It is here we become the fullest expression of ourselves.
sofia – is a name found further up my family tree, passed down from generation to generation. This ancient, yet contemporary name, first known as the bold expression of Lady Wisdom, is birthed in the very heart of God as described in the ancient, holy script of Proverbs 8. Upon closer reading, we may even find that “she” is the expression, or mother image, of God.
So, here we are. Dona Sofia: a story of becoming – I believe we discover ourselves, each other and God most clearly in the tales we share. I imagine standing around the kitchen island, or leaning on the kitchen counter barefooted and still in our pajamas like we do during Artist Studios I host where we sip coffee with bed heads and big yawns. We are off guard, free for the honing and mastering of craft. We speak about being whole and healthy. Voice. Vocation. Love across a lifetime. Recapturing the Romance of earth and sky.
So, here it is “mother of the house wisdom,” as best I know thus far: the meeting of the messy and mundane with lofty daydreams, and contemplations about faith and doubt, about community and courage, about beauty and aging, and always with the hope of being more kind.
For writer-focused material and my boutique studios, please see DonnaKWallace.com