self portrait challenge - exploration of identity

cringing and clinging. wrecking and reviving. devastating and redeeming. it eventually begins to dawn on me. adulthood. kids. life. life with you. the one sowing seeds of hurt into my little heart to fester. yet the only person in the world I can call whenever I'm running out of toilet paper. the father of my children. but I forget. that you need me. to wash your socks and clean your mess. but mostly. to stand by you when you are in doubt. I forget that you often weep in silence. and fear without shivering. I forget that you need me to love you. and to be your wife.

I do. love you.

I am. your wife.

Comments

[blackbird]

...it is so easy to see our side only. crazy busy with the children, the house, the mess...
and all the while they depend on the fact that we will do these things, while they are concerned with the world, and money, and the larger world. we forget, so often, that we love each other, that we are on the journey together.
every once in a while I turn and look at him and remember.
WE are on the journey TOGETHER.
And I realize, and it leaves me breathless, that I love him so.

[blog friend]

This picture is very powerful. Your expression. And your words . . . I don't know, I feel for you. Do you need him? Seeds of hurt? Your last few posts have been meloncoly, and though I only know you through the blog, I want you to be well. Be well.

[bella]

Very moving... very powerful. Heart wrenching, but the love shines through. Bittersweet.

[carol]

It is hard to remember that they need us emotionally just as much as we need them in that way. Thanks for reminding us.

[Marilyn]

Beautiful, Irene. So many conflicting emotions...and therein lies the beauty...

[Susie Sunshine]

There you go again with the words that make me be still...........and think.



Thank you.

[Nicole]

Yes, yes, as Susie said. Making me think. Damn you :)

[Anne Glamore]

Wow-- I was just surfing and ran across this, which sums up what's been going on between my husband and me the last few days. I have to be reminded that he can't be the rock ALL the time.

[mama_tulip]

Well said. The words are powerful, and so is the photograph.

[Pink Rocket]

Beautiful, it makes me cry...it makes me realize that when you're married everything just comes naturally and we end up taking each other for granted. Your photo was an eye opener for me, more so since my husband is in another country. I take him for granted; I expect things to happen, then get frustrated when they don't. I know he needs me and he should know that I need him. Thank you.

[SFKnitter]

you're so pretty. and smart.

[Connie]

What a beautiful picture. Your expression was heartwarming and a wake-up call. Thank you for sharing.

Take care.
Connie

[Suse]

Beautiful, beautiful picture.

And thank you for reminding me to just stop. And remember. I've been forgetting lately too.

[Heather]

That was so beautiful, it made me tear up a little.

[Alex]

that sounded like something I needed to be writing to my man. Its hard this love, this marriage this life. Its hard to remember for me then men have a hard time too.

[Lian]

You express yourself with such beautiful words. Deep, meaningful, beautiful and touching words. You are a very gifted lady. Thanks for the inspiration.

[Melissa]

Your picture captures everything and speaks volumes. As always, thanks for sharing.

[christina]

Mmm--this one left me just nodding quietly. Seeds of hurt followed by seeds of joy. It is so amazing: being in a relationship with someone, deeply, wholly. There is always a sense of polarity, of tug-of-war, of compromise. But also remember, beautiful Irene, that you are strong and true and wise and incredible, JUST YOU, as you are--not just as a mother or a wife...

Happy thanksgiving! I'm so thankful for you my friend!

[Lucinda]

This made me think of the differences between our husbands and us. Sometimes we celebrate them. And sometimes we loathe them. We forget that just because they don't cry doesn't mean they don't hurt. And just because they don't always talk about their feelings doesn't mean they don't have them.

Thank you.

[Flare]

Lovely, just lovely... sometimes I forget too and in moments like this it all comes back. It makes the hard stuff seems less hard and the little things worth more than gold. Cherish these moments. Love fully.