By fromskilledhands (
September 11, 2009 at 9:16 pm)
· Filed under here and now, Hope
We will always remember where we were on the 11th day of the 9th month in the year 2001. I was driving my daughters to riding lessons. We were listening to the radio, confused. I phoned my husband and was able to talk for just a minute before the connection was lost. And that is how we felt: lost.
We tried to pump gas, and searched for a gas station that was open since computers were down. We looked for a place to buy some things we needed, and stores were closed. People were constantly telling each other to stay safe.
In today’s Wall Street Journal, Peggy Noonan eloquently wrote about the children of 9/11. My children remember the day, and their fears. I remember the skies being silent, since no planes were flying. When airplanes were again permitted to fly, my children were afraid of the sound and what it might mean.
It has been 8 years, and my children are 18 and 21, young adults. Their lives and ours, and our world has never been the same. What do you and your children remember about those days?
By fromskilledhands (
June 26, 2009 at 9:15 am)
· Filed under Hope, Change
Creativity manifests itself in so many ways. Some I understand, others I just don’t get. But that’s ok. Diversity makes the world an interesting place. There would be no rainbows with just one color or symphonies with just one note. If we want change in the world, we can start by looking in the mirror. It’s time that we let go of our preconceived notions and open our hearts to what the Universe has to offer.
I have mixed feelings on this day of days. I am reminded that I am a motherless child and that there are so many things I would ask my mom if she were here. I can still hear her voice on the phone, “Hi, Doll.” And I can see the young mother with 2 daughters making grilled cheese sandwiches to go with the tomato soup that came out of the red and white can. I think of the woman who witnessed this daughter’s journey for independence and to find her own way. The woman who didn’t understand the choices her daughter made and had her own struggle to accept them. The woman who loved her granddaughters unconditionally.
I remember my mother in her ICU bed, telling me that I had taught her a lot about being a mother, and thanking me. I remember one of her gifts to me when I didn’t know where to be—at her bedside or at home with my husband and daughters. She said, “I love you. Go home. With my blessing.” I came home on February 15th to my husband playing outside with our daughters. There was a sign on the door. Happy Valentine’s Day. They had moved the day on the calendar so we could celebrate it together.
On this day, as I walked with the dogs, I thought of the sweetnesses that I have experienced in these woods, of #1 daughter being a pony or a unicorn, galloping through the woods, hair flying as her spirit soared. Of #2 daughter stopping at each Jack-in-the-Pulpit to make sure Jack was home. “Hello, Jack,” she said each and every time. Of my mother-in-law, reminding me that I am her other daughter, her love-in-law.
Happy Mothers’ Day to us all. Those of us who are one, who made one, and who have or had one. Take a moment to cherish those you love.
*********
Thanks to these fine women, among many others, who have shared their thoughts on this day:
I ask your indulgence as I revisit my words of last October. They seem appropriate this day:
Hunger does not discriminate; it affects people without regard to background or social status. In our land of plenty, people are hungry every day; they have to decide between paying rent or eating, between medication or food, between staying warm and buying groceries. Of this I am certain: having enough to eat is a right rather than a privilege.
The mission of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is simple: Ending Hunger.
The Foodbank uses its resources well: each dollar that is donated purchases 7 nutritious meals. Meals that provide sustenance to people who are already stressed. No questions asked. When I recently toured the facility, I was amazed by the quantity of food that was ready to distribute to agencies large and small. The facility was immaculate; the people, both volunteers and paid staff, passionate about their purpose.
We are reaching out to others by giving hope. There is, I think, joy and intrinsic satisfaction in helping people who will never know who we are. As members of a world community, we have a moral and ethical responsibility to share our resources and to preserve dignity.
Cups of Kindness is a show and sale of one-of-a-kind craft and art which have been graciously donated by artists from around the country. Many hearts and hands have joined together to support our friends and neighbors in a time of need. It is held in the heart of the beautiful Cuyahoga Valley, at Elements Gallery and the Peninsula Art Academy in Peninsula, Ohio.
Through the generosity of so many people, we have been able to donate enough money to the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank to purchase over 21,000 meals. Seventy-six artists donated over 150 pieces of artwork; all proceeds from the sale of the art benefits the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank.
Your purchases will provide food for the growing number of hungry people in our community. With each dollar we raise, the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is able to purchase 7 nutritious meals.
If you are able, please donate to your local Foodbank. The need continues to grow. The 2009 Cups of Kindness benefit will premiere on December 5. Please check the Cups of Kindness website for updates. Thank you for your continued support.
By fromskilledhands (
February 12, 2009 at 12:43 am)
· Filed under Art, Hope, Joy
If you believe what you read in the papers, the world is a scary grim place. If you want another point of view, talk to an artist. While we are aware of governments, factories and other matters of consequence, we also see the incredible beauty in the world.
Pay attention to the way the light hits the trees, and how the quality of that light has changed as the seasons progress. Look at the contrast of the texture of the barks of different trees.
Listen to the birds. Many are singing spring songs. The goldfinches are back, and the males are showing hints of yellow. We rarely see juncos now; they’ve headed back north.
Look at the colors, patterns and textures in the world around you. Pay attention to the wisdom of silence.
Look at the items in your home and the clothing you wear. All were designed by an artist who found a way to put his or her vision in an object.
Art will feed your spirit and let you see the world through another person’s eyes. Not such a bad thing, yes?
On this most amazing day, I want to share a poem by ee cummings that is dear to me.
i thank you god
for this most amazing day
for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
for the blue true dream of sky
for everything that is infinite
that is natural
that is YES
My good friend Lisa wrote about this day. I am passing it forward—-both the exuberance of youth and the wisdom of experience.
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I have mixed feelings on this day of days. I am reminded that I am a motherless child and that there are so many things I would ask my mom if she were here. I can still hear her voice on the phone, “Hi, Doll.” And I can see the young mother with 2 daughters making grilled cheese sandwiches to go with the tomato soup that came out of the red and white can. I think of the woman who witnessed this daughter’s journey for independence and to find her own way. The woman who didn’t understand the choices her daughter made and had her own struggle to accept them. The woman who loved her granddaughters unconditionally.
