It’s amazing how much of your narrative through the decades lines up with my own. I’m feeling an extra measure of gratitude today, alongside the anxiety which seems to keep me company these days. Thank you for this beautiful piece. I will carry it with me.
It's a constant challenge for me, balancing the anxiety and the gratitude. I suppose this piece is about being able to hold the good and bad together. Thank you for letting me know that these words have value for you.
I absolutely love this, friend. What a great idea. I may also do this. I curate the pictures I take of myself. I rarely let others take pictures of me. I was recently photographed with my mom, dad, and brother at a restaurant last month. We had a great time this evening. My dad felt good. It was a great memory. But I thought I looked really bad in the photo. The photo will never see the light of day. I'm coming to terms with stuff like this.
I would love to see your account of your decades, and I highly recommend it as an exercise. It made me feel good to do it. And I absolutely know what you mean about photos. My daughter has taken some of the absolute worst photos of me in recent years. I suppose maybe what she captures is just what I look like now, but how do we really know? The piece on dysmorphia was helpful. Yes, room to grow on coming to terms with this for me, too.
Rita! What a keepsake this is, for you and your family, not to mention the rest of us. I can't say that I could pair insights like these to my decades. Sure, there have been transformations and awarenesses, but I'd have to think hard about where I was in my chronological journey to see if I could associate them as beautifully and clearly as you have. The makings of a memoir here, for sure. In recent past, I wrote (or perhaps just thought?) about my memories of the arrival of each new decade. I could generally remember where I was for my 30th-60th -- but not my 10th or 20th. I might need my mother for those. Maybe she'll have the chance to remind me, some day. 🧡
Oh, thank you for the kind words, Elizabeth. Your comment got me wondering if I could remember my transitions from one decade to the next, and I can only remember 10 (my parents gave me a book of short stories about dogs that I LOVED), 30 (surprise party), and 40 (it was just a really nice day). I hope you get the chance to remember with your mom. It's only been in recent years that I've realized how much those who come before us hold not just their history, but also ours.
Rita, first of all let me say that I now have the song stuck in my head 😂 but if I must have something in there then I’m happy it’s Joni Mitchell. I love what you’ve written here and I feel like it’s now a journal prompt I need! Looking at parts of my life with a gratitude (gratitudinal??) lens and writing what I took away from each decade seems like a perfect way to adjust some of the stories in my own head.
I am always reminding myself of my place of privilege, having what I need for myself and my family. But also realizing how much has changed in my lifetime, and how my 16 and 19 year olds are facing such a different world from the one I grew up in. It’s sobering really. But there is still beauty in the world.
Writing is always the best way for me to adjust some of the stories in my own head! :-) I think, usually, for the better. I have lately been grappling a great deal with the changes in the world and what it means for all of those younger than me (but especially my kids). There is beauty in the world and will always be beauty in the world, but it will be small consolation if we can't change the trajectory we are currently on (IMO). I don't know what to do about that. Writing this piece was an attempt to grapple in some way with loss and fear of more loss. I'd love to know what happens for you if you try this exercise.
It’s amazing how much of your narrative through the decades lines up with my own. I’m feeling an extra measure of gratitude today, alongside the anxiety which seems to keep me company these days. Thank you for this beautiful piece. I will carry it with me.
It's a constant challenge for me, balancing the anxiety and the gratitude. I suppose this piece is about being able to hold the good and bad together. Thank you for letting me know that these words have value for you.
I absolutely love this, friend. What a great idea. I may also do this. I curate the pictures I take of myself. I rarely let others take pictures of me. I was recently photographed with my mom, dad, and brother at a restaurant last month. We had a great time this evening. My dad felt good. It was a great memory. But I thought I looked really bad in the photo. The photo will never see the light of day. I'm coming to terms with stuff like this.
I would love to see your account of your decades, and I highly recommend it as an exercise. It made me feel good to do it. And I absolutely know what you mean about photos. My daughter has taken some of the absolute worst photos of me in recent years. I suppose maybe what she captures is just what I look like now, but how do we really know? The piece on dysmorphia was helpful. Yes, room to grow on coming to terms with this for me, too.
Rita! What a keepsake this is, for you and your family, not to mention the rest of us. I can't say that I could pair insights like these to my decades. Sure, there have been transformations and awarenesses, but I'd have to think hard about where I was in my chronological journey to see if I could associate them as beautifully and clearly as you have. The makings of a memoir here, for sure. In recent past, I wrote (or perhaps just thought?) about my memories of the arrival of each new decade. I could generally remember where I was for my 30th-60th -- but not my 10th or 20th. I might need my mother for those. Maybe she'll have the chance to remind me, some day. 🧡
Oh, thank you for the kind words, Elizabeth. Your comment got me wondering if I could remember my transitions from one decade to the next, and I can only remember 10 (my parents gave me a book of short stories about dogs that I LOVED), 30 (surprise party), and 40 (it was just a really nice day). I hope you get the chance to remember with your mom. It's only been in recent years that I've realized how much those who come before us hold not just their history, but also ours.
Your last sentence... gosh, yes. Tugs at my heart.
Rita, first of all let me say that I now have the song stuck in my head 😂 but if I must have something in there then I’m happy it’s Joni Mitchell. I love what you’ve written here and I feel like it’s now a journal prompt I need! Looking at parts of my life with a gratitude (gratitudinal??) lens and writing what I took away from each decade seems like a perfect way to adjust some of the stories in my own head.
I am always reminding myself of my place of privilege, having what I need for myself and my family. But also realizing how much has changed in my lifetime, and how my 16 and 19 year olds are facing such a different world from the one I grew up in. It’s sobering really. But there is still beauty in the world.
Writing is always the best way for me to adjust some of the stories in my own head! :-) I think, usually, for the better. I have lately been grappling a great deal with the changes in the world and what it means for all of those younger than me (but especially my kids). There is beauty in the world and will always be beauty in the world, but it will be small consolation if we can't change the trajectory we are currently on (IMO). I don't know what to do about that. Writing this piece was an attempt to grapple in some way with loss and fear of more loss. I'd love to know what happens for you if you try this exercise.
Joyful, honest writing Rita. Thank you for it.