Through My Eyes

"Through My Eyes" is a collection of "flash" stories and original art culled from personal narrative writing and collage journals. The pieces reflect formative moments in my lifetime that have shaped my sense of self. Not as defined by a role, but an evolution in which the past can still be seen within the present. The narratives and art comment on experiences and challenges many of us face during the second half of life, and show how our responses to recent and current moments are consistent with our earlier life experience, in ways we may not have ever considered. Some pieces are humorous, others touch upon milestones that are both poignant and life-altering. Examples include reflections on rebuilding life after loss, assuming" adult responsibility, the passage of time, the challenges of aging, and the emergence of a self we come to both recognize and respect. As I have shared my thoughts with others, I have found that what began as a personal project and legacy for my children, has become both an opportunity for self-discovery and a way to create community when other heads nod in recognition of themselves and their own lives mirrored in mine. "You don't really know who you are until you see what you do in the face of life's challenges and opportunities" (a conclusion I reached while compiling this volume).