Family wounds, therapeutic art & new SP background page

Monday, April 29, 2013

With dad's passing I was contacted by a cousin -who I had to cut off communication with over 9 years ago due to her verbal abuse & attacks on my family & I (she & her siblings had a troubled youth due in part to horrible mental/physical/sexual abuse in the Illinois foster care system.) She wanted to express her sympathy and regret for never meeting her uncle Pete.

I have continually prayed for her over the years, asking that God/Yahweh would heal her heart/mind/soul; that she may eventually have a more normal relationship w/her extended family -myself included. When she called I felt there was a change to her spirit, so decided to reopen lines of communications with her again. During our long talks (1-2 hours sometimes) we discussed how her brother Harold was doing. Harold had suffered from physical abuse and related head trauma that left him w/limited mental capacity. He was ultimately institutionalized as a child and now lives in a home w/other developmentally disabled men affiliated with the Little City Foundation (LCF) in Palatine IL .

I also learned that he is one of the featured artist for The Center for the Arts at LCF. The center provides children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to explore and expand their creative talents, to promote a sense of accomplishment and empowerment through the arts.

After logging on to SP yesterday and noting dad's death, I felt it was time to change my SP page background. After thinking about it, I decided to use one of the graphics my cousin Harold has shared with the family called "We Are the World". It is a provocative and moving work of art.



We Are the World - 18x34 Acrylic, marker on found paper.


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For info abt The Center for the Arts at Little City Foundation & my cousin visit:
http://www.littlecityarts.org/pages/haro
ld_jeffries/34.php

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ASPENHUGGER 4/30/2013 5:44PM

It is such a blessing when old animosities open up and are healed. I'm glad this happened for your cousin & you. Sorry to learn of your dad's passing -- that's such a hard thing! And I love that artwork! I was wondering what it was even before I read the explanation. Report Inappropriate Comment

SPARKLINGME176 4/29/2013 4:25PM

Great blog! Thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 4/29/2013 4:18PM

Thanks for sharing your cousin's work with us. I also love your profile picture -- very nice tribute. It's so difficult to find a balance between protecting ourselves and being open for change. I found your words very moving. You are a wise and wonderful woman! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISS_VIV 4/29/2013 2:16PM

Indeed, We Are The World. and did you notice that we are all SMILING? That perhaps all of the ugliness and hate will wash away and we can become ONE again? Report Inappropriate Comment

Dealing with a parent's death & the fear of sparking??

Sunday, April 28, 2013

As some of you know my father passed away April 9th in Norfolk VA and we buried him April 15th . Saying good bye to him begins a whole new chapter for my family and I. Thanks to all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers -they really do help!

Now that I'm back in Sacramento, I want to simplify my life more. I'm thinking that I should just stop Sparking. I've never been a good-consistent Spark Person.

Do any of you have anxiety from not sparking when you know that you probably should?? Strange thoughts floating through my head. Hmmm -FEAR OF SPARKING....

But wait, I still want to live healthier, so why am I such a failure at Sparking?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MISS_VIV 4/28/2013 8:01PM

There are not enough words to express my share of sadness over the loss of your Dad. I do think when we are down it is a good time to take stock of what we really want and need in our lives. Just know that we are here for you and will do all we can to support you during this fragile time. Peace Report Inappropriate Comment

KARIDIAN1 4/28/2013 7:57PM

I have been very consistent in my Sparking for 2 years, but now occasionally take a day off here and there. It is hard to think about missed points, missed SP friends and such, but I sometimes force myself to do it just to show the world won't end. Am so busy at times, that something has to give, and SP sometimes is what gives. So sorry for the loss of your father. It is hard to lose a parent. Thankfully my mom is still here and we are close and get together often. Report Inappropriate Comment

TERRIPAL1 4/28/2013 7:57PM

sorry for your loss , you are not a failure at sparking, you are here, you are here for a reason, one step at a time! Report Inappropriate Comment

Garage painting finishes today, & decided I hate wall paper...

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

We got 1st coat of paint on the garage done yesterday, and will be working on doing touch ups today and then moving on to painting repaired/new wood areas around the breezeway doors and soffits at the front of the house. MAN do I hate cleaning up paint brushes! But things are looking good, YEAH!

Then last evening after dinner I got a little rambunctious and decided to remove funky old "fake wood" wall paper that's been hanging in one of the bedroom closets since we bought the house in 2002. Oooooooh what a goooey mess I made! I hope to finish up the closet gooeyness tonight after dinner.

I have also decided that I hate wall paper, what about you?????

;-)~

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MISS_VIV 2/7/2013 9:24AM

Wall paper - not my thing. I still have glue on a wall that I can't seem to find time to work at finishing .... YUCK. Have fun Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWKATHYNOW 2/6/2013 10:06PM

I hear you on the wallpaper! What a mess to take down! Sounds like you're getting lots of really productive exercise! Report Inappropriate Comment

Painting garage today w/hubby

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

Well the work on the house continues. New drywall is up in the den, kitchenette & laundry room; new vinyl floor and new base cabinets are done in the kitchenette. We've finished all the dry rot repairs to the garage, breezeway and soffits so it's time to paint the garage today. Hoping the weather stays nice today.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ASPENHUGGER 2/6/2013 3:04PM

I like it, but then I've never had to take it down either. Oops -- this comment was supposed to go on tomorrow's entry! Comment edited on: 2/6/2013 3:04:39 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

MIMULUSBUG 2/6/2013 1:43PM

Thanks for ally your great encouraging comments :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

ASPENHUGGER 2/5/2013 3:05PM

I know you'll be bored and purposeless when you get your house finished, so let me give you my address ... Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWKATHYNOW 2/5/2013 2:41PM

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ALICIA214 2/5/2013 12:23PM

Do we get pics of the finished product??? Report Inappropriate Comment

TRACYLYNN853 2/5/2013 12:07PM

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Rafting on the American River w/family

Sunday, December 30, 2012

With 2013 coming up shortly I thought I should update my profile photo with snapshot of the family rafting down the American River this August. It was a blast! Shooting rapids, whether in California or West Virginia, is fantastic fun with the family. On this float we met up with some senior ladies that were ultimately interviewed on the local TV station after their trip down the river! The 4th lady was 93 years old!! What an inspiration for staying active. Can you imagine, 93?! They are my inspiration for staying active, healthy and happy in 2013!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CHRISGETTINGFIT 1/2/2013 4:23PM

I remember the senior lady rafter interviews on TV! (and glad to hear you weren't rafting just before Dec 30th!). Have fun in the new year! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 12/30/2012 7:06PM

What a great picture! Thanks for sharing your inspiring new friends. Report Inappropriate Comment