looking back ten years
I'm enjoying reading the year-in-review posts by my favourite bloggers. As for me, I'm more apt to measure time by the places I've lived. Today I suddenly realized that the so-called dawn of the new millennium was already a decade ago (!) and that we have lived in this house for almost twelve years. In the nineteen years previous to moving here I actually moved twenty times and lived in five different cities or towns. Knowing where I was at what time made it easier to keep track of what happened when, but this past decade is a bit of a blur. Given my history, it has often been harder not to move than to move, but I really wanted my kids to have a stable upbringing.
Ten years ago today I was still teaching, with no conscious plans to ever pick up a paintbrush again. Little did I know that a year later I would quit my job and take a crucial step forward. It's been a good ten years; I have exorcised all kinds of demons that had been plaguing me my entire adult life. I guess all that moving around was how I dealt with them before. Now, with the responsibilities of family being top priority and nowhere to run, it was time to fight back. I'd been fighting against the wrong things up to that point -- the need to make art (and be myself) -- and it was time to let that one win and face all the other crap I'd been avoiding. So far so good.
Today is another kind of anniversary for me, too. Two years ago today I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my best buddy. The first anniversary of his death was hard. Today was a lot easier because of Coco (photo taken on Tuesday). 2009 was good to me.
Happy New Year!
Ten years ago today I was still teaching, with no conscious plans to ever pick up a paintbrush again. Little did I know that a year later I would quit my job and take a crucial step forward. It's been a good ten years; I have exorcised all kinds of demons that had been plaguing me my entire adult life. I guess all that moving around was how I dealt with them before. Now, with the responsibilities of family being top priority and nowhere to run, it was time to fight back. I'd been fighting against the wrong things up to that point -- the need to make art (and be myself) -- and it was time to let that one win and face all the other crap I'd been avoiding. So far so good.
Today is another kind of anniversary for me, too. Two years ago today I suddenly and unexpectedly lost my best buddy. The first anniversary of his death was hard. Today was a lot easier because of Coco (photo taken on Tuesday). 2009 was good to me.
Happy New Year!
posted by andrea at 2:25 p.m.
17 Comments:
It's amazing the turns and twists that life takes, isn't it? I'm dumb-founded by it regularly.
Happy new year, Andrea! Coco looks like a real sweetie.
Happy New Year, Andrea! Life really does seem to follow its own pattern... and it's our job to figure out where and how we fit into the mix.
The anniversaries are tough... I'm still missing BB terribly.... which is what happens when someone was around for 15 1/2 years and then suddenly they're not. But I have Lila, Pips and Zoë keeping me company so all is good.
I'm glad you've got Coco now and that she's such a good fit into your life. She seems like such a doll!
This story has a happy ending and that is something I really like :D
Yes, those damn demons... but you have danced with the dark and you came out in the light and now you are the queen of art who sold her tarts all over the country fair. Plus you have a darling fuzz ball and some other long hairs and short that love you dearly ;) Happy 2010 Andrea!
I used to mark time by where I've lived, but since I've live din this town 13 years and in the area for 20, I have to chage my thinking about it.
its cool how you stepped forward and art and you came out to bat. i am so happy to come across your blog and art and wonderful personality! glad you have a new buddy, looks like one to keep you one your toes :)
Happy New Year! Your story serves as such an inspiration to me. :-)
I've also moved over 20 times and have now lived in the same town for 12 years...as you mentioned, staying put has been difficult but I feel the same about giving my children roots - though I still dream of living in a log cabin in the woods ;). Happy New Year.
Funny how our lives are parallel in a lot of ways. I was always restless and I hated staying in one place for too long too and now the years have gone by planted in the same house, with the thought of stability for the kids. Feels good to also give yourself permission to be the person you need to be and pursue what you want. Cheers for a new year and all it`s potential.
Hayden: But what a ride!
Kelly: Coco is so different from Zappa -- but exactly what I needed.
Ponita: Oh yes -- and for those of us who either (a) work alone at home or (b) live alone -- our pets are definitely family.
Val: You are a poet and a dnacer combined. Just icing on the artist cake.
SAW: My sentiments exactly.
Paula: I love your comment! And Coco is definitely my partner in crime now.
Heather: Sometimes I need to re-tell it just to keep moving in the right direction. :)
Veronica: Me, too, though right now it's something oceanfront calling me...
Ellen: So true. And I know that one day I will want to up sticks and do it again (if I live that long) but until then...
happy happy new year, andrea.
♥
kj
Andrea, wishing you a 2010 filled with great adventures. love and art.
And to lovely Zappa, I think it is good for the soul to revisit that tender space every once in awhile.
And a very happy New Year to you, Andrea. Fascinating to read how your life has unfolded for you, and I don't find your previous decade to be entirely different from my own. And I remember when Zappa departed and went to chase frisbees in the big park in the sky. We never really get over such losses.
Happy New Year Andrea. I applaud you for keeping your blog uncluttered and producing art. this is going to be a good year for all of us.
The Burden
O Woe – Oh, No!
In Time’s stern grip
That presses all too hard
We oft must quip in grimaces
Like “Ouch!” and “Yikes!”
But then the morning sun
Alights one’s sunny face
So we can face our place
And have more fun
Until, upon some dullard eve
A beer in hand with Nachos near,
We once again are glum
And have no fun
And sigh our gloomiest ho-hum.
KJ: And to you!
Nadine: And with his portrait hanging in my bathroom (I'm not kidding) I get to visit his face frequently! :)
Ian: And to you. But isn't it nice when we find just the right canine companion (quite different from the lost one) to replace him? Hugs to Max.
Toni: The temptation to re-clutter is always there, but I'm holding firm!
PBS: You have no idea how timely your verse is today, on the almost-eve of a Big Birthday for me. Beer and nachos always help me, though, so I doth protest at thy slander of such.
Happy New Year!
It's funny, I just moved to a new state (1200 miles away from where I was for about 2 years). During those 2 years, I also moved. And before that, I lived on the east coast for a few years, in the intermountain western United States for a few years, back in the Eastern states before that, and then in Texas even before that.
I don't know what it's like to be in one place for long. Of course, we are buying a house next week, so we WILL be here for long! I'm filled with both hope (I won't miss moving) and fear (not being thrown into more new experiences).
Anyways, I just wanted to mention this - it is so interesting to think about. Thanks for your blog - it is so inspiring.
Post a Comment
<< Home