"A Journey" by......
On March 21 1979, the first day of Spring, a most horrible, and what would turn out to be a most wonderful, thing happened to me. I was burned over eighty five percent of my body. Thus I began an incredible journey. A journey filled with pain and frustration, and one that would leave me with some disability. At the same time I was presented with an opportunity. An opportunity to explore my very existence.
The struggle for survival, and recovery was long, and arduous, but I survived, and recovered. Though, in small ways, I still see signs of recovery. The human body is amazing! Put it through the harshest abuse, severest torture, or gross neglect, and still it struggles to repair itself, and go on. I believe It can, and It will if I allow it. If I treat myself kindly, the healing powers, of my body, will do the rest.
While my body is busy healing, what should I do with my mind? I chose to "Observe". Observe the changes in my body caused by the fire, or occurring as a result of healing. Observing my reactions, to these changes, has been the key to unlocking the secrets of the universe, which I believe dwell inside each of us. Feeling the fear, knowing the frustration, separating the real from the imagined, and embracing love, in all it's forms, are the keys to our spirit. The Spirit of Humanity. We are all connected. When I liberate my spirit, I contribute to liberating your's.
Easier said, then done! It is too easy for Fear, Frustration, and Fantasy to take control and distort my perception of love. I can't embrace love if I can't recognize it. This is the second struggle. The struggle to understand myself. Only by understanding myself, can I love myself. and only by loving myself, can I be open to love.
Enough of my philosophy! Who am I? I am an Artist, working with Stained and Leaded Glass, living in rural Upstate New York. I was born in "The City", but always had a country heart. A simple life, gardening, being creative, and making a living doing what I love, while keeping my harmony and balance, are my goals. Sometimes I achieve them, and sometimes I wobble. I think of myself as a "Weeble" ( You know those little figures in kid's toys.) "Weebles Wobble, but they don't fall down!"
I have never written about my experience before...Perhaps I needed some distance. I am ready now! There are many stories I have to tell to those who would listen, and this page is my beginning. I intend to add to this page regularly. Telling story after story, as I think of them, and as I feel like writing, until I'm all "Told Out". They will be in no special order, just being told as they appear. I invite any of you to E-Mail me with comments, thoughts, or experiences. If I don't have time to answer, please know that I will absorb it all, and perhaps it will show up in my future "Stories"
You're Always Welcome Here!
My Journey Continues.....
My business name is "Phoenix Studio". The Phoenix is a legendary bird that is destroyed by fire periodically, and is born again from it's own ashes. I chose the name 3 years before I was burned! (Don't ask me to pick your lottery numbers.) I picked the name because it seemed to symbolize the many "Little Deaths", and "Rebirths" that occur throughout our lives. Anytime a major change occurs in our lives, the "Old Life" dies, and the "New One" begins. I was in the middle of yet another New Beginning, (My Commitment to my life as an Artist) and the name seemed appropriate. Was this an accident?
