It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived. Helen Walton

Friday, March 1, 2013

Word Art Therapy







Happy Paint Party Friday




Since the first of the year, I have really focused on word art (along with the random watercolors I have shared) as a form of personal therapy...sort of.  The fact that I was taking Joanne Sharpe's Letter Love 201 facilitated this for sure.

We received some wonderful news at the very end of the year from a young woman living in western Canada.  She is my husband's daughter from a highschool relationship.  He had shared with me that his former girlfriend had gotten pregnant and moved "out east" to have the baby when we were dating.  He never heard another word and because of legal issues, never pursued the information.  This young woman had received information on her father (my husband) in 1996 and  didn't follow up on it until now.  She sent a short note introducing herself and asking if by chance he was her father.  He was only too happy to respond.

My husband and I have been married for 48 years and have three grown children and nine grandchildren.  Needless to say, this has "rocked" our family.  We have spoken of this "child" through the years but figured we would probably never meet him or her at this late date.   After all, the "child" would be fifty years old.  You can imagine our surprise!

He shared the information with our three children.  One was delighted, two were not.

He has had a running email conversation with his daughter since the first of the year and they have spoken on the phone a couple of times.  I think it has been very rewarding for both of them  She and her husband will be coming down to Florida in March for a conference so we will meet at that time.  They will spend the weekend with us.

Imagine the anticipation!  And so I doodle, to keep it all together.  Many emotions have rocked this old bod, that is for sure.  Everything happens for a reason and I look forward to our next chapter.

I believe that there are others that have had  similar experiences .  I've googled "bio dad" but haven't really come up with much.  I guess these stories are pretty personal, but I have shared and I hope you will too.

Is it a reunion when you have never met?


There will be a lot to share in a short weekend
She is a gift to our family

We must enjoy the present moment.
"Anticipation" was too long a word to fit on the page.
There is plenty to go around
Joanne Sharpe's "word art"

In fact, it is his journey, I am only a bystander.








I think the Letter Love class came along at just the right moment, don't you?
Please feel free to share your thoughts!

25 comments:

ann @ studiohyde said...

Wow! that is news!! As you say, you were aware of a child (albeit in the background) but now you get to actually meet. That will be quite something for your husband. Hopefully this will mean you have an extended family and as you get to know and understand one another relationships form and become more concrete. So nice that you have shared this very personal matter and indeed your art is an expressive way to show your feelings.

denthe said...

Gee, I can believe this rocks your world! It's good that you find an outlet in art. I love your word art, especially the first one.

Valerie-Jael said...

Beautiful work, the first one is my fave! Valerie

Anonymous said...

Wow! Lovely word illustrations ~ ^_^ ~

You and your family will work through this ~ You sound like a very loving and strong person who will do well ~ sending lots of healing hugs for all ~ Happy PPF ^_^

Mary C. Nasser said...

I think your class came just in time, too. :)
Love your lettering...all of it! Wow!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art

Ivy said...

Love your doodle art and lettering! HPPF!

Netty said...

Loving your beautiful word art.
Happy PPF, Annette x
http://nettysartadventures.blogspot.co.uk/

PaintingWrite said...

Susan, firstly, thank you for such a lovely comment on my blog. Your letter love is wonderful - sort of zentangly but not and kaleidascopey as well (not sure how to spell that but I loved mine as a child).
What a bolt from the blue for you and your husband. At least he shared that news with you from the start of your relationship so it wasn't a complete shock to you - which it probably was to your children and perhaps that's why two of them aren't so happy about it?
It is a strange situation for all of you but also you must be so excited to finally get to meet your step-daughter after all this time. My mum was adopted which I found out when I saw her birth certificate when I was 14. She had no interest in finding out about her birth parents because as far as she was concerned she had all the parents she needed in her adoptive ones - the fact they adopted her when they already had a large family of their own always inspired me (this was 1930s Ireland when big families were the norm) All she knew was that her real mum was a rich farmer's daughter and being N.Ireland she was adopted through an ad in the newspaper seeking a protestant family to adopt her! I've always been a bit curious to know but I don't imagine there would be any records from that far back now.
Anyway, I'm sure yours is not an isolated case of this happening and I hope you find more folk out there willing to share their stories.

GlorV1 said...

I think your word art is wonderful and also think that you are a very generous and kind person. All will be fine, I'm sure and things all things accepted. Life is great. Take care.

Linda Kunsman said...

what beautiful word art pages!!! Art can be very soothing and healing. I wish you and your family all the best in your latest situation. I can only imagine the variety of emotions all the family is going thru, but it'll work out-just takes time.

Faye said...

LoVe the letter art you do, bright and beautiful. Thanks for sharing your latest news. Things have a way of working out for the best.

Marji said...

What a great story to hear of the upcoming reunion. I think your work art reflects such love in its swirly goodness.

Miriam said...

These are great, beautiful and colourful. I love them.

janice smith said...

I just love your word art. I find creating this sort of page very therapeutic as well. What an amazing story you shared. I cannot imagine the emotions that must be tied to it. I hope all goes smoothly...what a great opportunity for all involved!

janice smith said...

Oops...meant to say Happy PPF! xo, janice

www.dorissdaughter.com said...

I love what you are doing here with the words, I especially like 'reunion'

Unknown said...

Beautiful work and thank you for sharing. It is great that your are being open to whatever will come. Happy PPF!

Joy Murray said...

What an amazing story. Your calligraphy is so bright and delightful. I hope all goes well for your family reunion. Life is full of wonderful surprises!

AM Zafaran said...

The doodles are lovely and clearly show how open and welcoming you are! It is a indeed a big reunion, it means so much to all of you! Hugs to you and prayers that all goes well.

Gloria j Zucaro said...

I agree with your generous and loving decision to openly accept this "new" person into your lives. "Acceptance" "Love"
Your children should not feel threatened, as even though this new relative is coming to meet the family, the history that you and your husband have made with your three children can never be caught up with by anyone just coming into the family arena. They may gradually adjust after the shock wears off.
I also feel that this has come into your life for some reason at this time. God is the only one who knows the plan. "History" Family" I think your word art is wonderful. "Peace"

Susan said...

Thank you Gloria! Time is the great healer isn't it?

Å olanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Love how playful your lettering looks. :)

Lynn Cohen said...

So sweetly done! They cry spring too with those colors!

Carola Bartz said...

I love your lettering, and I imagine that it can be pretty therapeutic.
How wonderful that you are so open to your husband's daughter - and I wish all of you - you, your husband, the "new" daughter and your children - that all goes smoothly. Definitely a new chapter in your life. Life seldom gets boring...

Susan said...

Thank you for your caring comment! Our first meeting is next week.