This is so brilliant and so true. Who are we right now? Not who we planned or hoped to be, or like to say we are, but actually are. Why do we not feel comfortable revealing our reality? I love how you relate this to careful observation of birds. Wonderful.
“...and discovered a mustard-stained napkin from Gray’s Papaya in the pocket of her jeans.”
Just laughed out loud as I had forgotten that story! So glad you and Susan found each other.
I always find my birthday coming as it does at the end of the year, bleeds into the new year planning push. Or, at least, end of year/new year reflecting. This year especially so for a couple of reasons.
Particularly for those of us whose families seemed like pieces from a different puzzle, friends save us (sometimes literally) and comfort us, and help us become better versions of ourselves. I’m grateful for your writing, but also for your friendship. Can’t wait to check out your snazzy new binoculars!
So head-clearing! I have found, over my 80 years, myself reauthenticating at periodic intervals. And right now I am finding myself thinking of the line from the song, “it will bring us back to do.“ In the end, isn’t that it?
Wow, thank you for this, for your honesty. So many good questions and challenges and ideas. I'm a new reader (a freeloader for now, sorry), and will revisit this post again. When my mother asked me that question when I was a child I only felt a rising defensive deepening of my own stance, along with a little shame. I am ME I want that girl to shriek back, though I didn't of course. It's a question worth pondering again and again. Is it different from Who Am I?
"A Carolina wren cannot be a parrot; a horned owl cannot be a hummingbird, a brown eagle cannot be a chipmunk. If they could not be anything other than what they are, then neither could I."
Elissa, you are truly one of the most honest, genuine writers I have the great blessing of reading words of. Thank you, for always sharing yourself with us. xo
I love everything about this. I love how you turn the question on its head, I love how you insert humor, I love the candor and how this idea of who we are is fluid (or not) as we amble along.
Who do you think you are? I will tell you , one word Enough. You have weathered the storm of your Mother’s mental illness and achieved so very much. Love Susan and all you have together. It’s difficult to leave the hurt and pain behind, but it might be time. Your Mother has taken plenty. Wishing your family so much happiness in the the New Year, special snuggles for Pete.
This is so brilliant and so true. Who are we right now? Not who we planned or hoped to be, or like to say we are, but actually are. Why do we not feel comfortable revealing our reality? I love how you relate this to careful observation of birds. Wonderful.
“...and discovered a mustard-stained napkin from Gray’s Papaya in the pocket of her jeans.”
Just laughed out loud as I had forgotten that story! So glad you and Susan found each other.
I always find my birthday coming as it does at the end of the year, bleeds into the new year planning push. Or, at least, end of year/new year reflecting. This year especially so for a couple of reasons.
Particularly for those of us whose families seemed like pieces from a different puzzle, friends save us (sometimes literally) and comfort us, and help us become better versions of ourselves. I’m grateful for your writing, but also for your friendship. Can’t wait to check out your snazzy new binoculars!
So head-clearing! I have found, over my 80 years, myself reauthenticating at periodic intervals. And right now I am finding myself thinking of the line from the song, “it will bring us back to do.“ In the end, isn’t that it?
Great reflective question!
Wow, thank you for this, for your honesty. So many good questions and challenges and ideas. I'm a new reader (a freeloader for now, sorry), and will revisit this post again. When my mother asked me that question when I was a child I only felt a rising defensive deepening of my own stance, along with a little shame. I am ME I want that girl to shriek back, though I didn't of course. It's a question worth pondering again and again. Is it different from Who Am I?
"A Carolina wren cannot be a parrot; a horned owl cannot be a hummingbird, a brown eagle cannot be a chipmunk. If they could not be anything other than what they are, then neither could I."
Elissa, you are truly one of the most honest, genuine writers I have the great blessing of reading words of. Thank you, for always sharing yourself with us. xo
I love everything about this. I love how you turn the question on its head, I love how you insert humor, I love the candor and how this idea of who we are is fluid (or not) as we amble along.
Pete and Pip understand everything.
Hang out with Pete and Pip. I dunno about that big black cat...he looks like he's not into sharing...🌻
A practice I’ve grooved into in recent years is to choose a word to guide my year. Last year’s was spirit. This year’s -authenticity.
Which does not mean I didn’t edit and rewrite this post.
Thank you for sharing your world with me, Elissa.
Who do you think you are? I will tell you , one word Enough. You have weathered the storm of your Mother’s mental illness and achieved so very much. Love Susan and all you have together. It’s difficult to leave the hurt and pain behind, but it might be time. Your Mother has taken plenty. Wishing your family so much happiness in the the New Year, special snuggles for Pete.
Many thanks for a truthful & profound talk