4 posts tagged “father”
2008.
Don't let the door hit ya...
Numbness, then summer's light. My brother is growing up. A family's warm embrace. Finding a spiritual community, building authentic relationships, knowing abiding love. Present.
Don't let the door hit ya...
Numbness, then summer's light. My brother is growing up. A family's warm embrace. Finding a spiritual community, building authentic relationships, knowing abiding love. Present.
- More about the Mayfly project.
- Previous year's Mayflys: 2007, 2006.
What did you do in 2008 that you have never done before?
I had my first gallery exhibition (June 2008) at the local gallery I joined a couple months previous.
What date in 2008 will remain etched in your memory?
December 12, 2008. I saw my father for the first time in fifteen years and met my sisters, who, while I knew them fifteen years ago, they were each 10 and 6 at the time. I was meeting them each as grown, amazing, unique women.
Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage and finally, hopefully, sorting out my mum's estate. On the plus side, we're both employed full time and doing well in good work.
What did you get really really really excited about?
OBAMAOBAMAOBAMA!
What do you wish you’d done less of?
Watch Law & Order and/or CSI. Until I have computer network access in my studio, I usually have a TV on in the background...and that TV is usually tuned to those shows. I look forward to being able to access our music library and podcasts in the studio instead.
Also, in the process of understanding my role as a parent, I think i said "no" too much during the earlier part of this year. I thought about this whilst on vacation with my family and resolved to do better, to know that parenting isn't just protecting and restricting but also about teaching a child to question limits and go out and experience things. This seems to be doubly true and needed in the case of my brother, and I'm glad I had this epiphany and reformed.
Did you fall in love in 2008?
Honestly? Every day. My husband has seen me through some dark, stupid days, and every day I wake up next to him engaged and wanting to continue to build/grow our relationship. He still surprises and delights me.
What did you do on your birthday and how old were you?
I turned 30 this year and, truly, have almost no memory of the day. Until the early part of this summer, I really was operating on autopilot--even I didn't realize how much. I look forward to experiencing 2009 more fully, being more present in my own life.
What/Who kept you sane?
The ridiculous antics of the pets who share our home--Bishop, Ripley, Zim (cats) and Yoda (terrier)--kept us sane, despite the madcap laughter they inspired.
Who did you miss?
My mother. I still think of her daily, want to tell her stories, share things with her, found things I wanted to buy her whilst Christmas shopping...
Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned this year?
I once thought I oughtn't have children because I couldn't be as awesome of a mum as my own. Having to practically step into her shoes, I see this is something I actually do well--I make different choices than she might, have different values and priorities--but my brother is a straight-A student who is learning to cook, skateboard, and expand his interests beyond our doorstep, asking questions about the election, the world, and substantial issues. He is loving and curious, confident and caring. I am a good "mom."
Where do you want to be in ten years?
Submitted by baby3194.
Inspired by AmyH, I'm not looking forward so much as backward:
- 1998 -- In the early part of this year, I was completing sophomore year of of college as a journalism major in Pennsylvania; in the fall, I got on a plane with my boyfriend of two years and headed for England, where we both had a year of study abroad and I was giving myself a shot at studying art history. My mother was married to her fourth husband, and I hadn't spoken to my father in years.
- 1988 -- My parents by this point had divorced. I lived with my mum in a large house on a few acres of land and a lake. My family raised and bred hunting dogs, and we also had a horse and a turtle. My father lived in a suburb of Chicago and had to learn to drive to come out and pick me up for our every-other-weekend visit.
- 1978 -- In a March chill, I was born on the South Side of Chicago to two people too young to know better and held together by religion and parental authority.
When you look at things this way, it's easier to see how futile looking into the future can be.
If you want to hear god laugh, make plans.
I don't know how to describe my religious beliefs at this juncture, but I know in my bones that expression is dead-on. In 1978, did my parents know their union was destined to end? In 1988, could I have ever imagined that in the next decade I would see Germany, Austria, Ireland, England, Wales, and France? How different would my choices have been in 1998 and forward if I had known my mother wouldn't live through the decade?
Of course, I look to the future and have hopes and dreams, but looking backwards reminds me to be adaptable and, most importantly, live in the moment I have now.
Note: The year links above go to images from a recent project I completed, which happens to be a reflection on the various addresses of my life and seemed appropriate.
I don't know how to describe my religious beliefs at this juncture, but I know in my bones that expression is dead-on. In 1978, did my parents know their union was destined to end? In 1988, could I have ever imagined that in the next decade I would see Germany, Austria, Ireland, England, Wales, and France? How different would my choices have been in 1998 and forward if I had known my mother wouldn't live through the decade?
Of course, I look to the future and have hopes and dreams, but looking backwards reminds me to be adaptable and, most importantly, live in the moment I have now.
Note: The year links above go to images from a recent project I completed, which happens to be a reflection on the various addresses of my life and seemed appropriate.
I invite you over to my crafty blog to read more about this project and see more images!
