Carrie funny you should mention old pictures, my mother had bins and bins full of pictures that I have been slowly going through and reminiscing. ( it could take years lol!)Seeing my old self who I once was and who I’ve become.
I took quite a few pictures through my journey with my mom with Alzheimer’s. Some would wonder why I would want to look at pictures of my mom getting sicker and more frail day by day. Wouldn’t it be hard to look at? I look at it this way. That’s my story too...about who I was before the illness and who I’ve become throughout the journey. They show the strength and determination I had all those years and how it’s changed me.
Thank you for this reflection Carrie. Love your Sunday posts!!!
Well I could just hug your neck for this weeks writing. I recently decided to go gray and I love it ...but I had been looking back at some older pictures of my husband and I. As I would look at them I got a little nostalgic for my colored hair After reading your writing I went back and relooked at them. While I like my younger self and my colored hair the women in those pictures hasn't got anything on the women I am now with my gray hair (I am calling it my gray crown). Every gray is a part of who I am..still that younger woman in the pictures but with a whole lot of more sense. Sending you big hugs.
How timely! I just found some old photos in the last of couple of weeks from different eras of my life. My new project is to use an album to journal the journey. Hope I find a thread, too!!
There was a time in my life where I absolutely refused to have photos taken of myself. Partially this was typical teenage self consciousness. However, the other part was my perception that photos highlighted the reality that my body is not typical. Muscles contract so my head tilts my wrists are bent, drool occasionally finds its way out of my mouth and I use a 300 lb wheelchair to roam the Earth. Who wants to remember that? I live and thrive with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.
As life would have it over the years, I was drawn to advocacy in the childhood cancer community, developing relationships with many parents whose children have died. Accompanying each of them has taught me many things. One of their greatest wishes has consistently been that they had captured more moments. It was in these conversations that I realized that my being is worthy and wonderful just as it is, and I was doing a disservice to all who love me by refusing those memories.
I was born at 2 lbs 1 oz in 1987. I wasn't supposed to live. Here I am, nearly 36 years later thriving as a mental health counselor with youth and adolescents. I appreciate this reminder to be gentle with myself when I am on the 10,000th picture of myself and still not OK with how I look.
By the way, I am now one who requests to take a bazillion photos of memories 💖 I am beautiful, just as I am 💖
Your sensitive and caring reflection on your life journey is heartwarming and very much appreciated! It makes us think back over the many times, places and people we have shared our life with, and once again brings forth such a wellspring of gratitude. Thank you!
Thank you Carrie. I needed this. Today I’m going to renew my connection to my own slender thread and this time, be as kind to myself as I would be of others... the lesson that keeps repeating. I know your concert tonight will be uplifting for all of you. I’m anticipating your new album, but no pressure. I expect to receive Paul Simon’s new album very soon, Seven Psalms.
The growth of grace and self-compassion that develops over the years within the relationship we have with our photos is very transformative as you describe. At 65, I have experienced this over and over again. "Why was I so hard on myself," I ask with each generation that passes. The 'not enough' and body image static of our culture, the voices, a ubiquitous affliction. Thank you for this post and practice.
“Oh Carrie,” what important wisdom for this dude, who suffers pangs of disappointment when I notice the inexorable sagging of skin and aching of bones that attend the privilege of living. I resolve to accept this aging visage with more honest softness and grace.
My mom died a few months ago, and me and my siblings are going through so many old photos. I am reminded of all the different cameras we had through the years - and how the technology has changed so much. I have just retired and am doing a lot of reflecting on my life. And I am trying to get clearer on what I want to do and be in these later years. I don't have much use for ego anymore. A few days ago, I shared an audio recording of my most recent sermon with an old professor that I have stayed in touch with since the early 80's. It was the first sermon I had preached in 7 years, and I was nervous. And I was preaching in a congregation of people I have come to love so much. I am now just a member in that congregation. And it felt important to offer something meaningful. And then I remembered - Joe, just love them. Talk to them tenderly and even courageously. Give them something they can take home in their hearts. My professor responded that hearing my voice took him back to the early 80's, when I was in my early 20's. And he went on to describe me in ways that people describe me today. I realized this has been my thread in life. I have become more aware of what is important, more compassionate with myself, more gentle with those I meet. Thanks for your good words Carrie. You are a very good soul. And I feel lucky to have heard you in person many years ago now. Maybe you will come back to Asheville NC again sometime.
Since my father passed away almost a year ago, I have been scanning and enhancing old photos and documents which have brought back lots of memories. People are so lucky with today’s technology, and yet, each old photo comes with a memory because we didn’t take so many. We didn’t even know if they would come out. As to cute, it’s fascinating looking at photos of my grandparents on the beach when they were young. Cute, but they were not supposed to smile. Old photos are treasures.
Carrie funny you should mention old pictures, my mother had bins and bins full of pictures that I have been slowly going through and reminiscing. ( it could take years lol!)Seeing my old self who I once was and who I’ve become.
I took quite a few pictures through my journey with my mom with Alzheimer’s. Some would wonder why I would want to look at pictures of my mom getting sicker and more frail day by day. Wouldn’t it be hard to look at? I look at it this way. That’s my story too...about who I was before the illness and who I’ve become throughout the journey. They show the strength and determination I had all those years and how it’s changed me.
Thank you for this reflection Carrie. Love your Sunday posts!!!
Well I could just hug your neck for this weeks writing. I recently decided to go gray and I love it ...but I had been looking back at some older pictures of my husband and I. As I would look at them I got a little nostalgic for my colored hair After reading your writing I went back and relooked at them. While I like my younger self and my colored hair the women in those pictures hasn't got anything on the women I am now with my gray hair (I am calling it my gray crown). Every gray is a part of who I am..still that younger woman in the pictures but with a whole lot of more sense. Sending you big hugs.
So much here. Thanks Carrie. I particularly liked the line about compassion toward ourselves (and others).
How timely! I just found some old photos in the last of couple of weeks from different eras of my life. My new project is to use an album to journal the journey. Hope I find a thread, too!!
Using an photo album as a journaling prompt is a great idea! Thanks Heather.
There was a time in my life where I absolutely refused to have photos taken of myself. Partially this was typical teenage self consciousness. However, the other part was my perception that photos highlighted the reality that my body is not typical. Muscles contract so my head tilts my wrists are bent, drool occasionally finds its way out of my mouth and I use a 300 lb wheelchair to roam the Earth. Who wants to remember that? I live and thrive with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy.
As life would have it over the years, I was drawn to advocacy in the childhood cancer community, developing relationships with many parents whose children have died. Accompanying each of them has taught me many things. One of their greatest wishes has consistently been that they had captured more moments. It was in these conversations that I realized that my being is worthy and wonderful just as it is, and I was doing a disservice to all who love me by refusing those memories.
I was born at 2 lbs 1 oz in 1987. I wasn't supposed to live. Here I am, nearly 36 years later thriving as a mental health counselor with youth and adolescents. I appreciate this reminder to be gentle with myself when I am on the 10,000th picture of myself and still not OK with how I look.
By the way, I am now one who requests to take a bazillion photos of memories 💖 I am beautiful, just as I am 💖
Hi Carrie,
Your sensitive and caring reflection on your life journey is heartwarming and very much appreciated! It makes us think back over the many times, places and people we have shared our life with, and once again brings forth such a wellspring of gratitude. Thank you!
Thank you Carrie. I needed this. Today I’m going to renew my connection to my own slender thread and this time, be as kind to myself as I would be of others... the lesson that keeps repeating. I know your concert tonight will be uplifting for all of you. I’m anticipating your new album, but no pressure. I expect to receive Paul Simon’s new album very soon, Seven Psalms.
Thx you Carla. I like your idea of checking the thread 😊
The growth of grace and self-compassion that develops over the years within the relationship we have with our photos is very transformative as you describe. At 65, I have experienced this over and over again. "Why was I so hard on myself," I ask with each generation that passes. The 'not enough' and body image static of our culture, the voices, a ubiquitous affliction. Thank you for this post and practice.
“Oh Carrie,” what important wisdom for this dude, who suffers pangs of disappointment when I notice the inexorable sagging of skin and aching of bones that attend the privilege of living. I resolve to accept this aging visage with more honest softness and grace.
Thank you Jeff. As always, so grateful for your post.
I hear you
Oh my goodness, Carrie! You have no idea how much I needed this this morning. 😘
❤️🙏
My mom died a few months ago, and me and my siblings are going through so many old photos. I am reminded of all the different cameras we had through the years - and how the technology has changed so much. I have just retired and am doing a lot of reflecting on my life. And I am trying to get clearer on what I want to do and be in these later years. I don't have much use for ego anymore. A few days ago, I shared an audio recording of my most recent sermon with an old professor that I have stayed in touch with since the early 80's. It was the first sermon I had preached in 7 years, and I was nervous. And I was preaching in a congregation of people I have come to love so much. I am now just a member in that congregation. And it felt important to offer something meaningful. And then I remembered - Joe, just love them. Talk to them tenderly and even courageously. Give them something they can take home in their hearts. My professor responded that hearing my voice took him back to the early 80's, when I was in my early 20's. And he went on to describe me in ways that people describe me today. I realized this has been my thread in life. I have become more aware of what is important, more compassionate with myself, more gentle with those I meet. Thanks for your good words Carrie. You are a very good soul. And I feel lucky to have heard you in person many years ago now. Maybe you will come back to Asheville NC again sometime.
Very nice👍 to
Love this column Carrie. I’d love it if you could share the title of the book about generations that you reference. Looking forward to the new album!
Since my father passed away almost a year ago, I have been scanning and enhancing old photos and documents which have brought back lots of memories. People are so lucky with today’s technology, and yet, each old photo comes with a memory because we didn’t take so many. We didn’t even know if they would come out. As to cute, it’s fascinating looking at photos of my grandparents on the beach when they were young. Cute, but they were not supposed to smile. Old photos are treasures.
I agree... such treasures😊