Multi-word post title
Posted: September 20, 2013 Filed under: All's Well That Ends Well 4 CommentsHave you ever noticed that I only do single-word blog post titles? This, obviously, is an exception, but I’ve been pretty consistent about it for…a while. Anyone want to go through the archives and figure out how long it’s been?
Ok, a few things. First: Becky is the winner of the giveaway! I realized after I wrote the giveaway post I wasn’t extremely clear about, well, anything. I chose a winner based on the extremely random criterion, “Which of these people have I not done a project for or have a project planned/in the works right now?” So there you go. And I will do another giveaway in October, just because this was fun. I’m also working on several of the quotes you guys posted. Becky, if you’re local, we can meet up for cupcakes or donuts and I’ll give you the print – otherwise, email me at mika@hilleries.com with your address and I’ll ship the print to you. Edit: if you didn’t win, you should be excited because it means (did you catch this?) I already have plans for a piece of art for you! Probably a custom one! Of course, it could mean that I’ve done a project for you in the past…in which case, you’re already a lucky winner.
Second: yesterday I decided to put Evan and June together in the bigger of the two kids’ rooms (it was most recently June’s room, though it started out as Evan’s) and make the smaller room into a playroom. Today while June was on her date with Grandpa I got everything cleaned up, with a lot of grudging help from Evan, and got the playroom set up. Since the bedroom has carpet, I’m going to try a very strict NO FOOD IN HERE rule. We’ll see how well that goes.
Third: I know this isn’t that case, but lately I feel like I have “gotten over” Christian’s death. It is still sad, but most of the time I don’t dwell on it. Is that normal? Is it denial? Should I be having more breakdowns, or just expect a breakdown in the future? If I keep feeling good and happy, does it mean I’m heartless?
Fourth: are you aware that it’s more than halfway through September of 2013? When I write the date I have to remind myself it isn’t 1997. True story. However, the fact that it’s September means we get to eat chili and drink hot chocolate (not together) and be realistic when we think about wearing sweaters. And next month I’m planning a trip to visit my parents, and June turns 3, and it will be Halloween, and then Thanksgiving, and then Christmas! I’m excited, if you can’t tell.
Fifth: thank you for reading this far. I know blog posts are supposed to have pictures because blah blah photography SEO readership blah blah, but I appreciate your reading skillz.
xo Mika
Personhood
Posted: September 18, 2013 Filed under: Great Expectations, The Story of a Mother 3 CommentsIn looking ahead to the six-month mark since Christian’s birth, and then to the one-year mark, I’ve wondered how I can commemorate his short life – and, more importantly, how my life has changed since having him. So I have tried to pay special attention to the ways in which I’m different now than I was in March or April. The biggest change I’ve noticed is that I am more willing to believe that every person I encounter is really a person, a person who might be having the absolute worst day of his or her life. I say “believe” because intellectually, I already know that everyone is their own individual and has unique experiences – it’s something else to feel it and acknowledge it. This has made me, I hope, more patient and compassionate, in theory if not in practice.
What I’m thinking of doing, then, is asking my friends and family (and myself) to make an effort to spend Christian’s birthday believing that every person we encounter is really a person, and then treat each person as such. To not dismiss someone because of the way they dress, or where they work, or because I’m in a hurry and don’t want to expend energy being nice.
We still have more than 7 months until then (September 24 will be 5 months since Christian died), so maybe we can do some practice runs before then.
What are your thoughts?
Giveaway
Posted: September 14, 2013 Filed under: Bridge to Terabithia 22 CommentsIn honor of my recent happy days, I’m giving away an 11″ x 14″ print of this:
To enter, leave a comment with a quote you’d like to see made into a print. I’ll pick a winner next Friday, September 20. If there are more than 50 entries (one per person, sorry) I’ll do another giveaway in October. Good luck!
Jarom
Mika
hilleries 