Monday, January 13, 2014

Who Am I?

Twenty six years ago, in 1988, I wrote/compiled a book for and about my family as a gift to them titled “Heart of One”.  I was 27 at the time, around half the age I am now.  The book was a blend of family history, stories and individual profiles of my parents and their five children. 

Just before the end of the book, I devoted a single page to each person, giving myself the freedom to mix what others had written and my impressions of them as well.  I picked a poem for each person I felt best described them.

I pull “Heart of One” out every now and then and read it.  I’m warmed by the memories it evokes and always a little surprised at how my feelings about stories and events evolve over the years.  I’m struck by both the clarity and obscured vision I had of my family members, and myself.

My page started with:

Her most precious possession was a magic box
that she kept hidden in a very secret place.
And whenever she wanted, she would unlock her magic box,
and out would fly all her favorite thoughts ~
Beautiful thoughts like the colors of a sunset
or the gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wings.

For 51 years, I've tended that magic box.  It holds all the slivered pieces of “Who I Am”.  Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife, Mother, Gatekeeper and Writer.  I’m not the blindingly faithful (or naive) person I was then.  Now, when I ever so gently lift the lid (usually to engage in a writing piece) I don’t only see those favorite thoughts that mirror sunsets and butterflies.  I see a life balanced with joy and pain.  One that holds love and sorrow and surely more blessings than I deserve. 

A magic box indeed.  A place to safely cradle the pieces of who I am, the stories that got me there and the threads of where I’m headed.

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This is in response to the “Who Am I” prompt from “The Blogging Lounge”.

17 comments:

  1. The pieces of who I am....I often think of myself that way. What a lively book to have shared and to hold dear.

    Really nicely done my friend.

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    1. The book really took on a life of its own and seems to intensify as time passes. Glad you liked my take on Who Am I.

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  2. Beautiful box of treasures I am sure. I love this:

    " out would fly all her favorite thoughts ~
    Beautiful thoughts like the colors of a sunset
    or the gentle flutter of a butterfly’s wings."

    The lines, much like the box I can imagine, carry the wishes and dreams of a young woman, and each time you open it the wisdom is shared. Beautiful, simply beautiful.

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    1. Thank you and I love to see you write "much like the box I can imagine" as I purposely left out a picture with this post in the hopes that readers would imagine their "own" box. So glad you came by to read and enjoyed it.

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  3. Amy, what a wonderful thing to have done and to have now! How I wish I had something like that now that my family is gone. I am so glad you still have that box, my friend, and that I've been privileged to see some of the "pieces." Beautifully done.

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    1. As always Elaine, thanks for the kind words. I never realized at the time how much the book would come to mean to myself and some of my family members. And I generally glean something new from it each time I read it.

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  4. A book for your family? Now that is a great idea. I love that you did that. I enjoyed that passage from your page. Can't wait to see what else you come up with. :)

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    1. Thanks Ariana - so nice to have you stop by. You are doing a truly awesome job with the group and I appreciate it very much!

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  5. I like the idea of a magic box full of secret thoughts. Lovely write.

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    1. I appreciate your taking the time to stop by Steven. Glad you enjoyed it.

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  6. Alright, the forever analytical me thinks, 27 yrs. old in 1988--I'm younger than her. But then you claim to have been holding the box for 51 years, which would make me older. Either you've been holding the box longer than 51 years, or you weren't as old as you thought you were in '88. I guess I totally missed the point. Tee hee.

    http://joycelansky.blogspot.com

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    2. Math has apparently never been a strong point for me. I turn 51 next week. :) Hope you enjoyed it despite the age mystery. (In fact I'm so bad I originally wrote I turn 52 next week!)

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  7. What a lovely thing to do for your family. That kind of gift is from the heart and I'm sure, is held close to their hearts. Very nice write indeed. Very inspiring!

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  8. Thanks for stopping by Tai - my family does and it's extra nice when they mention it out of the blue at times.

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  9. ooo, I like the magic box... very inspiring. nice piece, amy. :)

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    1. Thanks Daphne - means a lot coming from you with how much I enjoy your work!

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