Personal Reflections & My Photography

Today I feel

so thankful the blog is growing

and for new followers joining

the lovely journey,

and it seemed like the right time

to share a glimpse of the blogger offline.

Believe it or not,

she is not as preoccupied

with style and vintage charm

and impeccably decorated rooms

as one might think.

The blog often celebrates such things,

yet they remain only a sliver of offline real life.

Style is fun.

But she’s more substance.

After all,

she is a busy mom to two

free-spirited young men

and to an angelic pooch.

She is a wife to a hard-working,

athletic, handsome wild thing.

She is a freelancer,

writing articles

on parenting, education,

humor, and lifestyle (earning

precious little dough for the effort).

Two new titles in conjunction with

a magazine for which I write will soon be mine:

lifestyle expert & senior contributing editor.

She has two books in the works but

is scared to death they are crap

and even more terrified

they may be successful.

So she does housework, bakes, and blogs

in her procrastination.

She is a self-taught artist who creates

from places of intuition and pure bliss

almost everyday and who delights

when the creations find homes.

Her art is frequently influenced by struggle.

Crohn’s disease, hormonal imbalance,

anxiety, and depression

leave her easily tired yet stronger.

Funnier yet more prone to rant the f-word

with her sister on the phone.

And decidedly more vulnerable yet open

to be filled with God,

with awe,

with compassion,

and with gratitude.

She is not fabulous…she’s real.

She says hurtful things, is a self-loather,

acts selfishly, and is way too vain

for someone with ‘substance.’

She keeps messing things up

yet desires more than anything

to get her shit together.

SHE LAUGHS A LOT!

She has real problems she can’t

throw money at and then watch disappear.

Too cryptic?

Here’s what I mean:

problems like violence.

This summer our son went to a park

and was assaulted in broad daylight.

No amount of money can erase this.

But she has hope.

all photos mine

Not hope for the problems

to fly away or for her diseased body

and mind to be cured.

But hope that healing will come

in spite of the circumstances.

She would be lost

without her Bible,

Grace with a capital G,

and love from others

springing all around

which keeps

making

everything

okay.

And she hopes to daily

spread light and love

and inspiration in

unexpected ways

to all who

reach for it.

Love to you, friends…and

Peace to you right where you are.

michele

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20 Comments

  1. August 30, 2011 / 3:41 pm

    Beautifully written!! You truly have a gift! Kathysue

  2. August 30, 2011 / 5:16 pm

    Ok, so i thought that you were probably awesome in every way, and now i'm absolutely sure of it…

    Cindy

  3. August 30, 2011 / 8:15 pm

    This is such a beautiful post. I have to agree with KathySue, you have an amazing gift my beachy sista and I heart you for it all!!!
    xoxox

  4. August 30, 2011 / 9:01 pm

    You, my darling, are simply fantastic and I feel privileged to have your amazing art in my home, I feel privileged to read your wise words each week, I feel privileged to have a glimpse into your lovely, complicated, subtle, 'shallow' as well as deep and meaningful ponderings and I feel privileged to call you my bloggie mate.

    Also? Finish the damn books. You are gifted, don't short change yourself or anyone else 😉

    Huge hugs going out to you today gorgeous lady xxx

  5. August 30, 2011 / 11:11 pm

    You have such a wonderful gift and brighten others with your writing! It was so lovely to learn more about you in this most eloquent way.
    Angela and Renee

  6. August 31, 2011 / 1:41 am

    "She" is amaaaaazing and I am ever so grateful to have found her blog and be the humble recipient of her light…her love…and her inspiration. merci for this truly wonderful and "genuine" post!

  7. August 31, 2011 / 1:49 am

    I am so elated that you have the courage to admit that under all of your beauty and creativity you also carry the burdens of depression and anxiety. I hope that you have not experienced the stigma I have when people have "found me out". I was hospitalized for quite some time a few years back for "shock treatments". When a woman at my children's school came upon this information, the entire parent community gained knowledge of it as well. All of the years of school involvement, volunteer work and social life I had enjoyed there with my husband and children were erased. I was in disbelief at how quickly people forgot about the fun, creative and giving parent and person I was and STILL was. Thank you for mentioning your struggle, it means the world to me. Your piece was written with care, confidence and hope. Be blessed.

  8. August 31, 2011 / 8:12 am

    I love how real you are, how you share everything so beautifully and gracefully, and how you have this ability to lighten my day.

    So awful to hear about what happened to your son… it's sad to hear of such mindless evil, especially when it affects people who are part of you.

    Congratulations on the new titles, you are for sure a lifestyle expert/guru. I am so excited to hear about your books in progress… given your talent and humour, I know I will want to read them as soon as they are published. And when you are famous, I can say I know you. 🙂

    You rock, my darling! I am so happy to call you friend.

    Love and hugs,
    Meera

  9. August 31, 2011 / 10:37 am

    She is beautiful, inside and out and I feel blessed that she is a blogging friend.
    Z xx

  10. August 31, 2011 / 11:26 am

    So, what you are saying is that you are…..human….and aren't we glad you are. Thanks for sharing your true self. It is always so nice to get to know the real person inside and out.
    XOXO
    Laura

  11. August 31, 2011 / 6:59 pm

    … and she is lovely.

    M,

    You're full of Light, full of God.

    You always speaks to my heart and I admire you and respect you in a great way. I honestly do.

    You have a very special place in my heart.

    About your son. I'll pray for him. Time can cure…

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

  12. August 31, 2011 / 7:55 pm

    i have the best blog buddies!

  13. September 1, 2011 / 4:44 am

    Now this is a real blogger here. I can so identify! There might not be much light but it always is enough to beat the darkness.

    You know once on new years eve I was alone and i was afraid whether i should write my feelings. But I did. Because, my blog is not an escape, it is me. Whoever I am. Kudos to you.

  14. September 1, 2011 / 8:49 pm

    Love you even
    more with this
    big reveal….of
    YOU. I think you
    have an amazing
    amount of energy
    to do all that you
    do. I'm quite
    envious, girlie!!
    You're beautiful,
    too…dang….
    xx Suzanne

  15. September 2, 2011 / 3:14 am

    and she is beautiful!
    Love that picture of you. It was such a great post and so very real.
    I hope your son is okay. That must have been quite the scare.

  16. September 2, 2011 / 3:04 pm

    Beautiful post. Its really lovely of you to share at Beach Cottage Good Life Wednesdays. Thanks so much.

  17. September 8, 2011 / 9:04 pm

    Such a lovely post. You put yourself out there. Good things and bad. Your pain. God Bless that you didn't lose yourself when your son was assaulted. Your post brought tears to my eyes. I will keep you in my prayers. Hugs, Jan

  18. October 24, 2011 / 3:35 pm

    Thanks for sharing you gifts with us. Nice writing and great blog. Thank you for joining me at HSH Fall Open House! I'm late getting around, last week internet troubles.:)
    Sherry

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