bittersweet weekend

happy monday dear readers!   what a powerful, profound weekend it was.  it felt like summer, and there were proms, and graduations!  so many grown ups appeared before my eyes that were babies i had thrown in the air - just yesterday.  how did that happen?  i alternated between feeling winsome, giddy, childlike and old and sentimental.  i even had a little regret for my past!  our dresses were no where near as cute in my day.  i wore an ugly dress and had an awful dud of a blind date for my prom!  he wouldn't even dance.  had a horrible time.  i was in awe how many young people went to the prom sans date.  wow!  wish i'd had the courage to do that!  it just wasn't done in my day, but i would've had a much better time going in a group of friends.  so glad the young ladies don't feel that ridiculous pressure any longer.

oops - i digress, this is not about my prom.  this is about the prom of some of my loved ones.  i was fortunate to attend two photo sessions this weekend!  what fun!  i love all these young people.  so much smarter than we were.  i have a feeling they will change the world for the better and not do the stupid shit we did.  oops there i go again - let's have some fun.

i was in awe how adorable every one looked.  from hair, to makeup, nails and dresses!   here is a pic of my niece's 'do.  believe it or not - that's all her own hair!  she's always had the most enviable thick, full head of hair.

the ink is new and was a tad shocking.  but hey, every one's got ink any more.  i'm one of the odd ones who doesn't.  she looked fabulous.  the theme of the prom was Cinderella, which is a coincidence because that's my brother's nickname for her.  she's a fabulous young woman, wise beyond her years.

image by my sister-in-law

her dress was gorgeous!  shimmery cobalt blue and purple with glitter and a hoop skirt!  indeed, she looked  like Cinderella.  and the fabulous nails!  i am in awe of the artistry.

her BFF also looked fabulous.  she wore a shimmery yellow.  and dig her nails!  fab.

image by my nephew's date

my nephew is a junior, attended the prom for the first time.  here is how he asked his date to the prom.  he asked her if she wanted an altoid mint, handed her the tin.  when she opened the tin, this mint was on top. so romantic!  just like his dad.  my brother and sister-in-law met at dunkin' donuts.  they've been married close to 25 years and to this day i think about them when i pass a dunkin' donuts.

my nephew's date is a lovely young lady.  she wore gold with pops of red.  i loved her dress, shoes, earrings, hair and nails!  she's fabulous!

shoe shot of my nephew's group of friends!  i love shoe shots!  and, yes, one of the young ladies wore cowboy boots.  she was the only one not struggling to walk on heels, lol.  a girl after my own heart!  my nephew went to the prom a 16 year old, and returned a 17 year old.  yesterday was his birthday.  i love you...

we've called him boo his whole life.  he's a fine young man.  i'm so proud of him.

there was also grief in my weekend, as you know, it was the anniversary of my other brother's son's passing (see post below). again i experienced the whole gamut of emotions.  seems to be my modus operandi lately.  i also had friends with kids who graduated from college this weekend.  i am so proud of one of my best friends. she overcame the hardship of single motherhood to put her kid through college.  it was a bittersweet day for her.

i hope i am not repeating myself, but i finally understand what Rilke meant.  in one of his poems he used this phrase:  "as painful as boys becoming men."  wow.  i get it.  i guess i'm an experiential learner.  i am now wrestling with my emotions toward another nephew.  he's a teenager.  and popular. just yesterday he was a baby who never left my side, and thought every thing i did and said was fabulous. he used to hide my shoes and pull on my leg when i wanted to leave.  i couldn't even go to the bathroom.

now he barely says hello.  all i can do is let him have space, remind him i love him - when i can - be careful not to embarrass him.  all i can do is hope i've done the right thing and that when he needs me he will return to me.  the love is almost unbearable, i look at him (and my brothers and other nephews and nieces), and get a lump in my throat.  i hope they know how much i love them.

amongst all this happiness, i also grieved the loss of my nephew Nick, who would have been graduating from college as well. i now realize there is something more painful than boys becoming men.  boys NOT becoming men. just a not-so-subtle reminder to never take your children for granted.  sorry for the preaching.  i am a sentimental mess today.  enjoy your day dear readers!  xo

note:  all images by peggy (except where noted).  no images may be reproduced or copied without the express permission of the editor of creative influences.

Akron Art Museum

I know it sounds crazy, but I still get homesick for Cleveland.  However, there are a few pluses to living in Akron.  One of the biggies is that I get to spend more time with my nephews.  This is a good thing because they are growing up so fast!  On a recent outing my nephews and I went to the Akron Art Museum.  It's a wonderful museum and here's a few pics from that day.

A big pink sculpture by Claes Oldenberg greets you in the lobby.  I love large installation pieces taken out of context.

Another shot of the lobby.  With a mountain of milk tin lids, by El Anatsui.

Even the polyurethane furniture in the lobby is art!  I'd love to have this furniture for my balcony.

These may look like mountains, but they are actually bags made completely of newspapers.  They are very tall, I think the tallest one was about 8 feet high.  I love the irony!   Mountains of newspapers.  If you ever get a chance to see an exhibit of Anatsui's work, you simply must.  It's incredible!  He turns detritus into large shimmering pieces of art.  There were areas of the museum where photographs were allowed, and areas where it wasn't.  Anatsui allowed photography of his exhibit, but I didn't get as many pictures as I wanted.  My nephews were getting embarrassed.  :)

Here is a pic I took on the down low.  It is, of course, a Mark Rothko.  Rothko's work seen in real life is almost too much for me to bear.  It gives me heart palpitations.  The combinations of color, the simplicity!  Swoon.  I wish I had painted this!

Here is an interesting Mermaid sculpture in the permanent collection.  I think she's cool.  My nephews weren't as impressed and told me to put my camera away before we got kicked out.  It was a great day!  Two of my favorite things:  my nephews and art.  It doesn't get any better than that.

Feelin' the Love

My heart is full of gratitude and love today. It seems fitting to share a picture of the two most beautiful boys in the world - in one of the most beautiful places in the world. My nephews in Aruba. Photo taken by my sister-in-law. Love it. Stay tuned, I will be showing more inspiring pictures from Aruba.

You're Not Too Sensitive

Jewel's CD available at Amazon. This post is dedicated to my nephew, GP, whose kind words lifted my spirit yesterday.

Dear GP:

I want you to practice these words. "That's not true." Say it calmly and softly with love in your voice and a smile on your face. You know, the way Thich Nhat Han speaks.

Whenever anyone says any of the following: 1. You're too sensitive. 2. You can't do that. 3. You're not creative, or any other such bullshit. You say: "That's not true," and walk away happily basking in the knowledge that you can do anything.

You are a marvelous, gifted person with an acute sensitivity. Contrary to what many people think sensitivity is strength, not weakness. It affords acute perception.

Here is a survival kit for you.

Jewel's first CD. It's profound. This young woman and her mother set out on a journey to create Jewel's career. At one point they were living in a van and a frustrated Jewel was thinking of learning to type as a fall back plan. Her mother told her not to have a fall back plan. She said if you have a fall back plan, you will fall back. GP, have no fall back plan. Do what your heart tells you to do, knowing without doubt that you can do anything. Never entertain doubt. Any time doubt tries to rear it's ugly head, say "That's not true."

I have often used the line on the cover of Jewel's CD. "What we call human nature is actually human habit." Sometimes adults take part in behavior that is cruel and just plain wrong. They then try to cop out by calling the behavior human nature. Abhorrent behavior and words are not nature, they are habit. The nature of human beings is to be joyful, and kind, and yes, even sensitive. That's true.

I am particularly in love with Jewel's song about sensitivity. Wish I had written it. She talks about how careless words tear her apart, she's sensitive and wants to stay that way. She owns her sensitivity proudly. She realizes sensitivity is strength, not weakness. That's true.

Here is a survival kit for you. You should probably read these two books before embarking on corporate America (or maybe even high school). We can read them together if you like.

The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine Aron. Link.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman. Link.

GP, you have given me some of the happiest moments in my life. I am so glad you came from Heaven to share yourself with us. You are an angel. Now that's true.

The Love is to You, Boo

I'm feeling sentimental today. My nephews are on my mind, and thoughts of them are filling my entire being with joy. I'm babysitting on Saturday and just can't wait to spend time with them. I hope to have lots of new art from them to post. The home they share with their parents (my baby brother and sister-in-law) is beautiful and I hope to share that with you next week as well.

My nephews have no idea how they help me. They are a constant source of joy and inspiration to me. I couldn't love them anymore than if they were my own children. In fact, sometimes I look at them and it almost hurts because I get a lump in my throat. I am so grateful to my brother and sister-in-law for sharing their wonderful family with me. I would gladly give my life for either of them. There are so many things I want to share with them. If there is one thing I hope I've been able to teach them, it is this:

GG and GP - you can do anything. If anyone ever tells you can't do something, don't listen, they are lying.

To celebrate the love that is overflowing from the depth of my soul today, I would like to post a very dear piece of art that GG made in 2005. I will be producing this piece as a poster.

"The love is to you boo." December 2005. He was chronologically five years old when he created this. I say chronologically because my nephews are old souls. I used to call GG and GP "boo boo" and sometimes shortened it to boo. They probably don't remember this, but when I held them when they were babies, I would say "You're my boo."

GP and GG, I will love you:

Tracy Jenkins' poster from Village.