Long Overdue Conversation Mom came to visit my new home At forty, I finally asked the question squirming for twenty years When I was young, why didn’t you send me to art classes? She shrugged.
Oh, my... what a devastating response! "No eyes to see," indeed... Mom's, not the narrator's. This will stay with me, especially with that vivid arrow image.
I stopped making art around age 15 due to their dismissiveness. That moment, at 40, was the beginning of finding my way back. I returned to writing at 46 (and never stopped! Every day since then!) and to painting this year.
It can take a lifetime to make an “aikido turn”, which is a new phrase to me but perfectly describes the beautiful necessary shift you made. Here’s to surviving parental blindness that first wounds, then softens and informs our hearts, and later spurs us on. Your poetic artist heart shines like the sun, Amrita. So glad to see it and feel its warmth 💗🌞💗
Thank you, Amy. Yes, it has taken a lifetime for painting--I only reclaimed it this year; I returned to writing soon after this moment with my mother, and haven't quit writing since! That was 34 years ago.
Gosh that’s so hard. I understand. Thankfully if you’re lucky you eventually find yourself and bloom not caring if anyone sees the flower you have become. But knowing that God picked you long before.
And I've been lucky! Writing every day since age 46, and returned to painting this year, at 80!! My healing began that day, when I saw through my mother. She wasn't a bad person--quite generous in some ways--but blind in other ways that were important to who I am.
Oh habibi, from the inner child in me to the inner child in you, and the adult me to the adult you: I see you talent, I see so much talent!
Bless you, friend. Today, I do as well. That moment was the turning point and I began writing soon after. Painting, well that took another 38 years!
Oh, my... what a devastating response! "No eyes to see," indeed... Mom's, not the narrator's. This will stay with me, especially with that vivid arrow image.
I stopped making art around age 15 due to their dismissiveness. That moment, at 40, was the beginning of finding my way back. I returned to writing at 46 (and never stopped! Every day since then!) and to painting this year.
It can take a lifetime to make an “aikido turn”, which is a new phrase to me but perfectly describes the beautiful necessary shift you made. Here’s to surviving parental blindness that first wounds, then softens and informs our hearts, and later spurs us on. Your poetic artist heart shines like the sun, Amrita. So glad to see it and feel its warmth 💗🌞💗
Thank you, Amy. Yes, it has taken a lifetime for painting--I only reclaimed it this year; I returned to writing soon after this moment with my mother, and haven't quit writing since! That was 34 years ago.
Gosh that’s so hard. I understand. Thankfully if you’re lucky you eventually find yourself and bloom not caring if anyone sees the flower you have become. But knowing that God picked you long before.
And I've been lucky! Writing every day since age 46, and returned to painting this year, at 80!! My healing began that day, when I saw through my mother. She wasn't a bad person--quite generous in some ways--but blind in other ways that were important to who I am.
What the eye of wisdom sees, it can heal.
Exactly, Arlene.
So powerful, Amrita. Thank you
I appreciate you reading, Julie.
It certainly was a powerful moment for me. The beginning of a big healing and finding my way.
Sending love!
I'm glad you found your way back. You are an artist!
Thank you for saying that! I need to hear it!
Painful, painful...
Very, but I found my way!! My healing started that moment.
what is it that each of us can't see? aren't willing to see? who do we hurt by not seeing? how do we hurt ourselves by not seeing?