When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
- Mary Oliver, from When Death Comes
This is a small excerpt from the poem; please click on the link to view the whole poem. Valentine's Day was yesterday and, while it celebrates romantic love, I think we should include all types of love and loving experiences because that is what buoys your well-being. When I can remember that I am loved and to pursue what it is I love, I am blissful. When I don't, and lately, I haven't, I am miserable. Being married to amazement means to me that something I'm doing or pursuing is lighting up my imagination, my creativity, my soul. This year, I'm going to play with taking the world in my arms. I'm gong to write a list of things that would bring amazement in my life and carry that around with me and keep it on my wall because I tend to forget what is important. I'll share them as they come to fruition.
The first thing that brings me amazement is my tango dancing. I love it so much and only wish I could do more of it. This week was the first week when it felt like we were really dancing, not just doing steps. It is such a smooth and sensual dance, so much fun to perform.
Question: What brings amazement into your life?
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
Week 6 - Parson
When I began Inspirations, I had in mind to post a new quote every Saturday. Last Saturday, Feb 3, however, none of the quotes I had collected touched me. The day before was my mother (and my aunt's) 60th birthday and I had made plans to surprise her by driving up. The day before, though, I realized I couldn't afford to rent a car to take the trip. Birthdays are important to me, and to not see my mother on such a special birthday really hurt.
Strange how inspiration finds you. Usually, I write the quote first and then explain its importance, but this passage requires a brief explanation. I took yesterday off and while cleaning up, I ran across a letter my father wrote to my mother. He wrote the letter while he was in the hospital for a cancer treatment sometime in 1980. My father died on February 23, 1981. He was 40 years old, the same age as me, and when I put myself in his shoes, it's terrifying. I remember when I graduated from 5th grade, he wrote in my autograph book that he wanted me to graduate from college, too. He had dreams for my brothers and me that he would never see. I watched my father fight so hard to live, fight to stay with us even when he could no longer breathe by himself or swallow. I watched my mother, who was a young woman, deal with the diagnosis, the illness, the death, and the aftermath with dignity and strength. I saw them try to keep some semblance of normalcy for us even as our lives were turning into a nightmare. I didn't know at the time, but I was witnessing great acts of courage every day. This letter reminds me of what real love and dedication look like in the face of hardship. It reminds me of the type of person my father was and my mother is. I am made of great stock. My parents inspire me to keep fighting for the life I want. Here is the letter from my father, Willie Parson. [I cleaned up the spelling, but kept his punctuation].
Hi Love,
Just a short note to let you know I am all right, so far, this is Monday and I just came back from X-ray, have to go back again tomorrow, they will take pictures while I am swallowing some pink stuff, and if everything is ok they will take this trick [I think he is referring to his tracheostomy] out. When I came up on the floor everybody was glad to see me. They were running around telling everybody Will is here, everybody was telling me how good I looked and how much weight I had put on. Everybody asked about you, how is your wife and the kids, they were amazed at the way I look, they tell me whatever your wife is doing for you just keep it up. They were telling me how good a man I am, and behind every good man stands a good woman, true. I might be home early this time because they are starting the treatment right away. Kids go back to school Wed., right. I hope you get those food stamps we need them bad.
I forgot to ask you where was Penny and Mom going Monday on a bus. Well, I've just about written out now. Tell the gang I said Hello and be good. I'll see you all when I get home Friday I hope. Please don't forget I love you all very much. I guess that's what keeps me going, a loving family.
Bye now
See you later
My father was a really good artist and at the end of the letter, there are pictures of a school bus, cat, and a man with a net, with the following instructions: For Andre [my youngest brother, probably 4 at this time] to color and don't mess it up.
Strange how inspiration finds you. Usually, I write the quote first and then explain its importance, but this passage requires a brief explanation. I took yesterday off and while cleaning up, I ran across a letter my father wrote to my mother. He wrote the letter while he was in the hospital for a cancer treatment sometime in 1980. My father died on February 23, 1981. He was 40 years old, the same age as me, and when I put myself in his shoes, it's terrifying. I remember when I graduated from 5th grade, he wrote in my autograph book that he wanted me to graduate from college, too. He had dreams for my brothers and me that he would never see. I watched my father fight so hard to live, fight to stay with us even when he could no longer breathe by himself or swallow. I watched my mother, who was a young woman, deal with the diagnosis, the illness, the death, and the aftermath with dignity and strength. I saw them try to keep some semblance of normalcy for us even as our lives were turning into a nightmare. I didn't know at the time, but I was witnessing great acts of courage every day. This letter reminds me of what real love and dedication look like in the face of hardship. It reminds me of the type of person my father was and my mother is. I am made of great stock. My parents inspire me to keep fighting for the life I want. Here is the letter from my father, Willie Parson. [I cleaned up the spelling, but kept his punctuation].
Hi Love,
Just a short note to let you know I am all right, so far, this is Monday and I just came back from X-ray, have to go back again tomorrow, they will take pictures while I am swallowing some pink stuff, and if everything is ok they will take this trick [I think he is referring to his tracheostomy] out. When I came up on the floor everybody was glad to see me. They were running around telling everybody Will is here, everybody was telling me how good I looked and how much weight I had put on. Everybody asked about you, how is your wife and the kids, they were amazed at the way I look, they tell me whatever your wife is doing for you just keep it up. They were telling me how good a man I am, and behind every good man stands a good woman, true. I might be home early this time because they are starting the treatment right away. Kids go back to school Wed., right. I hope you get those food stamps we need them bad.
I forgot to ask you where was Penny and Mom going Monday on a bus. Well, I've just about written out now. Tell the gang I said Hello and be good. I'll see you all when I get home Friday I hope. Please don't forget I love you all very much. I guess that's what keeps me going, a loving family.
Bye now
See you later
My father was a really good artist and at the end of the letter, there are pictures of a school bus, cat, and a man with a net, with the following instructions: For Andre [my youngest brother, probably 4 at this time] to color and don't mess it up.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Guest Writer
I am not feeling very inspired this week and I hate to let a whole week go by without a post, so I'm asking for a guest writer to list a favorite quote and what it means to him or her.
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