A photograph captures a singular moment in time. It reveals the feelings and experiences of those pictured, but only for that one second. One can look closely to reveal some of the history of the subjects leading up to the photographed moment, and one can imagine the future potential of the individuals portrayed, but the photo itself only contains that one instant. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: December 2018
Anticipation
When I was in elementary school, I shared a bedroom with my older sister. Our second story room was spacious, and its large windows overlooked the front yard and street. I remember watching out those windows on a cold, snowy night, anxiously awaiting the arrival of my two older brothers. They were away at college and were expected home for Christmas. There was a streetlight nearby illuminating the swirling flakes of sparkling snow. My sister and I had gone up to bed as it was already late, but we weren’t sleeping. We were talking dreamily, listening for a car to approach, occasionally pulling the curtains back to take a peek at the snow. Continue reading
Unapologetic
Unapologetic = not feeling or showing regret or shame
I want to live unapologetically
Without regret
Without shame
I didn’t choose to exist
I didn’t choose my humanity
I didn’t choose where I came from
I have done the best I could
With what I knew at the time Continue reading
Respect
“Putting your hand over your heart makes you both appear and behave more honestly,” reads a headline from a March 2014 post on Smithsonian.com.
That gives credence to the warmth and generosity we felt when receiving the passing greeting, “Respect,” from staff and locals while in Jamaica. Crossing the courtyard of the resort, when encountering a staff member, they would put their right fist across their chest, bow their head slightly, and quietly say, “Respect.” A simple nod and reciprocated fist across the chest was appropriate acknowledgement. Continue reading
Identity
Our identity is comprised of the intersection of our thoughts, our feelings, and our actions. In an earlier post I suggested that those three need to be in equal tension in order to hold us upright. I didn’t make the connection that what they hold upright is our identity. Continue reading
Smoothing their paths
Believe it or not, I actually love going to the dentist. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not excited about the hands in my mouth, the water splattering my face, and wondering about whether or not I’ll receive a good report. No, I’m excited because the people at my dentist office empathize with me and my challenges but also help me see the bigger picture as it relates to my children.
After receiving a favorable welcome from the new receptionist, I was greeted with a hug by my hygienist. Last time I was here, I talked to this hygienist about my twins and shared my heart with her. We have a lot in common, and she was so sweet then and showed appreciation for my candor.
We talked about her challenges with her grown kids being judgemental of her as a single mom, divorced several years ago from their dad who then passed away from cancer, and then married and divorced again just in the last couple of years. I shared about my recent experiences starting personal counseling, and she added her observations from interactions with her therapist. Continue reading
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