Another Birthday. I think there have been enough by now that we really don’t need to acknowledge them. 🙂 It’s lovely though, how many people reach out on social media or email and of course, my fabulous sons and husband are always so thoughtful.
As I get older and say goodbye to some along the way, the proof of my mortality looms somewhere ahead. I find myself constantly trying to put my life in context, to lighten up, to appreciate people more without the pressure, the stress, the striving, the paranoia that drives us. Someone posted this quotation on Facebook and I thought it was perfect.
“I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:
Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.
Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.”
~ Brené Brown
Agnes was very social, loved to dance and was always fastidious in her appearance and how she kept her home. She worked many jobs over the years to help support her family, including restaurants and a ladies’ fashion store.
In addition to her 3 children, Agnes had 7 grandchildren (Eden, Randy, Rebecca, Ryan, Cory, Elissa) and 3 step-grandchildren (Heather, Judy, Pam). Sadly Heather and Cory predeceased her. She had 10 great grandchildren (Jordan, Perry, Tyler, Ryley, Veronica, Austen, Jasper, Mya, Cole, Noah) and many nieces and nephews.
en snapshots and photographs; picture takers and photographers. My creative journey began with writing novels in the late 90’s and now encompasses photography, videography and screenwriting (despite a career in information technology). I jumped on the photography bandwagon in the digital age (along with millions of others) and got hooked. It is so much easier to share a well-crafted image than a 100,000 word novel. And through the lens, I discovered a renewed fascination with the natural world. At times, I’ve questioned my obsessive creative pursuits – am I crazy? Maybe so but I believe this quotation from Thomas Merton provides one possible explanation for my behaviour: “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”. I hope you enjoy these images. They represent both my personal journey and a desire to share my experiences and unique view of the world which I believe is a motivation for many artists.