Writing truly brings many gifts. Julia Cameron gave us the Artist's Way, and I'm of a mind that all creative acts--writing, drawing, birthing, gardening etc.--expand the soul. My flowering of creativity blossomed like an Outback Steakhouse fried onion while raising my babies. I wrote extensively, planted a rose garden with blooms the size of an outstretched hand out of Arizona caliche; learned jazz dance, baked and cooked from scratch (a rarity these days), sewed intricate costumes and holiday-wear for the kids, decorated our home which involved, among other things, painting the walls and banisters (not recommended, the banisters anyway), sewing curtains, cross-stitching, and making 'baby books' for the kids which involved stories and photos and memorabilia.
Obstacles I overcame to satisfy the creative muse included having an early miscarriage, a baby who refused to nurse, hacking through caliche to dig holes for the rose bushes that averaged three hours per bush (so that's where the carpal tunnel came from!), teaching myself to cross-stitch and paint via trial by error; to staying up far too late into the night to write while the family slept, and eventually from all that handiwork, carpal tunnel surgery. But I am grateful for each obstacle because each process taught me something.
In expanding our hearts and souls, I hope we are fortunate enough to find what sets us on fire and what heals us, and then share it with the world.
It could use us.
I remember the rosebushes, I miss those. The baby books were really awesome, I still have those and love them, it's nice to look back and see what I did growing up and can't wait to show and do that for my own kids. Love you mom!
ReplyDeleteNice to know all those hours of making them are appreciated :). HUGS!
ReplyDelete"But I am grateful for each obstacle because each process taught me something."
ReplyDeleteThere's the nugget in this post. Even better, that you learned. Not everyone can say that. Not every time.
This was a beautiful post, and a record of awe-inspiring love and devotion to baby Eliot. For the first time in my life, I am starting to see things from a grandmotherly perspective whereas previosly I could relate to things mainly as a mother.Although my daughter does not have children,the fact that I could see so much of her physically and emotionally in this remarkable and brave young mother made me cry so much.How wonderful that Eliot's story was told and his young brief life so cherished by his friends and family. Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeletePam, seeing things from a grandmother's view is amazing, isn't it? I too loved this video so much, seeing the heartwarming hope and willingness to open their hearts, which you can really see in their video story as they celebrated life through Eliot. Your daughter is lucky to have such an in-tune mom.
ReplyDeleteHi Lorna,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog. I loved this post. The video made me cry, but in a hopeful, celebratory way. Much like your words.
Thanks Deb, I love your blog. Reading blogs favorites is like watching your favorite TV show; better actually since you can interact with blog writers!
ReplyDeleteHi. I am sorry to have followed you to your blog from my stats page. I usually don't like to do that, because sometimes people just want to remain anonymous although it is actually impossible in this digital world.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I liked your blog too much and I cannot help myself. I love the theme of your blog. Very original.
About children and creativity, I did have moments when all my creative energy was completely taken by the child herself, with none left over. But you are right, most of the time it's been flourishing and taking me to different, beautiful places each time. I've done things I (like sewing and knitting complicated things) I never thought I would and I am proud of them.
Lori, thank you for visiting and staying. Maybe when the portals of creativity open with childbearing, they stay open and all sorts of things inside us are birthed. Sewing and knitting are perfect examples! I love your 'most of the time it's been flourishing and taking me to different, beautiful places each time'. Love that!
ReplyDelete