You have once again articulated so well the complexities of being an oldest daughter. I love reading about how you are learning to take off the mask and care for yourself 🫶🏼
Wow, Kristina, this was amazing to read. I've never heard of a retreat like that! How beautiful. I, too, have felt similar to you in church spaces. My husband was a pastor prior to his current job, and finding our way back into church has been much harder than we thought. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability!
Thank you, Wendy! I hate that the church stuff resonates and that you and your family have found re-entering church hard too.. I imaging pastor/pastor’s family adds some complexity of its own, too! I’m glad you enjoyed reading! 💛
Kristina, this was so beautiful--the symbolism of the ceremony and the quilt making itself and also your retelling of it.
"All of my fabrics worked together in what I call a sorta gradient- which seems fitting… Does life really ever gently and smoothly melt from one phase to another? My life is more a series of starts and stops, jumps ahead and falls backwards. Many ruptures and repairs as I learn to do it differently. It’s not smooth, but the gradient/process is sorta there." A sorta gradient, an imperfect progression, a spiral staircase. I love this image of growth and progress. Thank you.
"I know to not let the pounding in my heart be mistaken for “calling.”' Oof, yes yes yes. For so many years I thought the pounding of my heart was "conviction"--turns out it was OCD! It is hard but important work to come back to ourselves, learn what to trust, and what to let go of.
It's so incredible you could take the quilt home with you as a reminder of these discoveries, whispers, and commitments. I use a lot of visual imagery in my writing, but have never felt confident with creating visual arts. After you sent me that Press Snooze on Solving (thank you!), I've been experimenting with creating a painting, drawing, or some kind of visual representation of each of my essays. While words will always be my preferred mode of creativity, it has been powerful to have a physical reminder of the lessons I continue to work through and live out in my own life.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful art and beautiful journey!
You have once again articulated so well the complexities of being an oldest daughter. I love reading about how you are learning to take off the mask and care for yourself 🫶🏼
💛thanks for reading and for the encouragement! That oldest daughter life is no joke 😂
This was such a joy to read! I want to go on that retreat 😅
Yes! It was such a unique offering!!
Wow, Kristina, this was amazing to read. I've never heard of a retreat like that! How beautiful. I, too, have felt similar to you in church spaces. My husband was a pastor prior to his current job, and finding our way back into church has been much harder than we thought. I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability!
and that quilt! So gorgeous!
Thank you, Wendy! I hate that the church stuff resonates and that you and your family have found re-entering church hard too.. I imaging pastor/pastor’s family adds some complexity of its own, too! I’m glad you enjoyed reading! 💛
Kristina, this was so beautiful--the symbolism of the ceremony and the quilt making itself and also your retelling of it.
"All of my fabrics worked together in what I call a sorta gradient- which seems fitting… Does life really ever gently and smoothly melt from one phase to another? My life is more a series of starts and stops, jumps ahead and falls backwards. Many ruptures and repairs as I learn to do it differently. It’s not smooth, but the gradient/process is sorta there." A sorta gradient, an imperfect progression, a spiral staircase. I love this image of growth and progress. Thank you.
"I know to not let the pounding in my heart be mistaken for “calling.”' Oof, yes yes yes. For so many years I thought the pounding of my heart was "conviction"--turns out it was OCD! It is hard but important work to come back to ourselves, learn what to trust, and what to let go of.
It's so incredible you could take the quilt home with you as a reminder of these discoveries, whispers, and commitments. I use a lot of visual imagery in my writing, but have never felt confident with creating visual arts. After you sent me that Press Snooze on Solving (thank you!), I've been experimenting with creating a painting, drawing, or some kind of visual representation of each of my essays. While words will always be my preferred mode of creativity, it has been powerful to have a physical reminder of the lessons I continue to work through and live out in my own life.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful art and beautiful journey!
Your quilt is gorgeous and I loved reading about the retreat and the things you let go of!
This is so beautiful and thoughtful. I love that pairing of The Lord's Prayer with Sun Salutations! Totally doing that in my next yoga class.