self portrait challenge - self documentary series #3

you can keep spinning just so long before you fall flat on your face. but I think I am ready now. the years of violence. the negligence. the fear. it is time to forgive my parents. and to be absolved.

peeling off the band aids and laying lush roots. my breath coming in short. but I know I am not alone. daring to love. and stringing all the pieces of my self together like beads to be a better wife, a better mother. to just be.

Comments

[christina]

Irene, this made me cry--out of happiness, shock, sadness, joy, all together. You are such an amazing woman. So courageous, inspiring, and beautiful. And I'm so happy you have a husband who knows that!

[Susie Sunshine]

Cyberly celebrating a renewed marriage and a renewed you with great happiness.

Congratulations, on everything.

[blackbird]

I am thinking of you and am hopeful.

[jenny vorwaller]

this just shows me how people are not so different, have more than they reveal at first, and are also growing from experiences.

what we would ever do without the husbands who show us tender, unconditional love...i just don't know.

[Marilyn]

This series makes it look like your weekend retreat was very healing for you...hope so. I think you're creating a very beautiful necklace...bead by precious bead. Aman, girlfriend...that's how it's done. xoxo

[la vie en rose]

Wow! I'm speechless. It takes an awful brave person to face all of that pain and grief. But your spirit is so much bigger than any of it. Here's to your courage, your willingness, and the dream of the person you want to be. What sweet, wonderful pictures. I especially love the last shot.

[carol]

I'm so glad that the retreat went well. I soooo need one of those!

[Heather]

I love love love this. It is so beautiful. I love the picture with you sitting on your husbands lap because I love sitting on my husband's lap just like that, it does'nt happen to often but it's so nice when it does

[Lucinda]

Sounds like you had a great retreat. Hooray! I hope you two enjoy the renewed closeness. The pictures are wonderful.

[Steph.]

Great photos, but even more beautiful words. Heart-wrenching and painfully honest---you are growing and changing away from the negative past to a brighter future. You should feel really good about that! Take care!

[jakapk]

irene-this is beautiful and I'm with you in thoughts

[bella]

wow. beautiful. you both look so in synch with each other. You walk with the same steps in the first pic, your fingers intertwined in the last. What a beautiful collage. Your love for each other shines through these pics.

[Antonia]

There's a real feeling of renewed hope in this post. Good for you. Beautiful photos (I love your self-portrait series, they're so simple yet so telling) and insight.

[Alex]

Beautiful last line in this post. string all the beads together...what a picture I guess thats what we really are doing.

[madness]

aah man, Irene. Really beautiful.