Sunday, July 14, 2013
Mommy, I need a new pair of shoes! by Lisa Frazeur
Sher has presented this first exercise prompt so beautifully! I needed a project that could catapult me into a new journey. As you may know, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in August of 2011 and went through a double mastectomy on Halloween of that year - how appropriately dated. I finished chemotherapy in June of 2012, but the snowball rolling downhill didn't really collapse until November of last year when I finally lost my job. I am no longer a cancer patient. I am no longer a medical transcriptionist. I feel like I have lost so much of my identity. My confidence feels like mashed potatoes - but there is much more to me than what these last two years have shown. I am an artist. I am a writer. I am a good mother. I needed a reminder, a project like this TO GET ME BACK ON MY FEET! I don't know what shoes I need to put on next. I think they must be the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn - they must be healing, they must soften and smooth the pain of walking on burning coals for so long and, most importantly, I must quit re-igniting those same coals over and over again with all of my negative self talk, doubt and whining! I need a pair of shoes that will help me through the day instead of ones that weigh me down, continue to burn and scar me, destroying the beauty that awaits before me. I have a feeling these new shoes will look pretty funny - and the thing that has been missing in my life for so, so long is a good sense of humor. I used to have one. I would like to get it back! I am so thankful for this new opportunity - a safe and encouraging place to JUMP!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hooray! She made it over to the Blog Side!!!! Now I am curiouser and curiouser to see if these new shoes will be clown or at least Circe De Soleil! I am uber excited to be going on this journey together. I have a few ideas and might have to complete 2 pieces, one that is my current state and one that is the future I envision for myself. Where is everybody? It doesn't matter, we are forging ahead, making our own path . . . I am up ahead wielding the metaphorical machete . .. so come along whenever you choose to.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking the same thing - that I might have to do both before and after models...
ReplyDeleteExactly! I am thinking of a 'rat race' of shoes for how I am feeling the last few weeks, but then a serenity/solitude piece for how I want to feel INSIDE, even during a maelstrom. I guess, and this just came to me, I could have a tornado around me and I could be nice and calm INSIDE the maelstrom. Hum, food for thought.
ReplyDeleteI just re-read this thread and it seems you are absolutely on the brink of a leap of faith. I was also reading about crisis(s), WHAT is the proper spelling for the plural of crisis, anyway???! Anyway, the end theory was that it is when we have reached a precipice, the end of our rope (another good visual) that change is FORCED to occur for survival. That is when we evolve (imagine, the earth is ready to explode and humans finally decide to be more environmentally conscious) . . . our very survival and future depends on our ability to adapt and change. Just a thought anyway!
ReplyDeleteAlso, new thoughts on steps: step up to the plate, steps on a ladder, stepping out . . .
ReplyDeleteI went to a couple of Goodwill stores yesterday just to look at all of the different shoes. Some of them are just hilarious! Saw some platform ones that made me think of "standing tall." Still allowing ideas to brew. I need to give myself a budget. How much am I willing to spend on this project? My creativity always seems to come at a price and I have a very expensive taste!
ReplyDeleteGood point! I think $20 max - and think of reuse, recycle, upcycle . . . less money spent the better (but I realize I have a bigger stash than most) . . . . love the 'standing tall' thought. It is endless, the steps we can take!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOk the test worked Hi all I have my toe in the water but thinking about just "jumping"
ReplyDeleteLOL, Michael T - you are too punny!!!! Glad it worked and can't wait to hear your input! 'toe in the water' is amazing and , yes, just 'jumping in' is the way to go - in many things, including this blog!
ReplyDelete