No trepidation necessary! It's really fun for me to read your reflections. I absolutely agree that we are products of all the nuanced and gross (no pun intended!) elements of our upbringing, as you say "the good, the bad and the ugly." And often if it weren't for the ugly, we wouldn't have as many opportunities to deeply reflect on our connection to the rest of humanity and foster some of the deeper truths and virtues of our lives. No ejection from posting necessary, in fact, I welcome your insight and feedback. :)
I really appreciate your reflections! Sounds like you can relate to some of the drama around my childhood - and I agree, there wasn’t a lot of awareness yet around how parental strife can sometimes leave the children a bit feral and fending for themselves to sort it all out. I, too, didn’t have children and although I adore nurturing anyone and anything in my environment now, I do wonder if there was some subconscious trepidation around doing more harm than good to an innocent being. I do think your awareness of it all would’ve likely made you a great mom though! 💛
As your mom of many moons, your own personal bright Light shines clearly & without wavering! You’re a relentless survivor. I was, too, in my own way. I figured that marriage was forever and its “lessons”, like it or not, we’re ultimately there to bring out creative solutions to our generation’s deepest, darkest challenges (remember...ours was the drug, sex, rock ‘n roll generation). And our children’s opportunities to grow, stretch beyond the norm and discover anew, too! It all catalyzed new learnings in love and forgiveness for me. After all, aren’t we all here on Earth for a few years to grow and demonstrate thru our personal lives, our collective awareness of the power, mystery and beauty of Love?
Firstly, Love the chapters! What has struck me so far is how vulnerable and open you are in telling your life stories. I just get how authentic your storytelling is.
Secondly, well I dip my toe into this conversation with great trepidation. I'm probably the least qualified there is regarding this topic. But I will offer one thing that may hold true, at least I believe this anyway. That who each of us is today, at whatever stage of our lives, is a product of our parents along with the environment we were brought up in, yes, that includes friends also, and it includes all of the, real or perceived, good, the bad, and the ugly. That's all rolled up into each of us and makes us who we are. I see the work you do today Kimberly and seems to me all that "stuff" made you turn out alright.
Wow these pictures are blowing my mind!! I can see Eric in your Dad’s smile, and mini Eric is a spitting image of Reed! You are the absolute cutest with your blonde pigtails, and Nance such a beauty as always.
Aside from the pictures, your writing is so eloquent and vulnerable. You ARE a poet, and your words induce a lot of emotion for me. I came here to read a few chapters while I sipped my coffee, and I don’t want to stop! Thank you for sharing this with us 🥰
Of course, I'm picturing you sipping your coffee while somewhere on an Italian verandah? So dear of you to share your thoughts—I'm really touched that you're along for ride as I share these chapters. Already looking forward to the next time we cross paths! xo
Thank you for sharing your story. Love your writing. Incredible your parents stayed together, incredible people and so difficult for you as a child. I found myself in a few open relationships and I would never recommend it for a relationship. There feels like there is no real space for true intimacy in all of the upheaval and the depth of the relationship is compromised.
It is Honorable that your parents stepped out of the norm at such a time aswell as your dad bringing alternative therapy into his work. However it must have been so unsettling for you children. On the other hand being in a family of two parents who didn’t enter into an open relationship, the scenes you describe of intelligent conversations turned into angst and long times spent together on road trips becoming a nightmare for me as a child also occurred.
I think we grew up in a generation where children’s feelings werenot even considered during adults melt downs. I think it lacks maturity and that’s one of the reasons I haven’t had children. I didn’t feel mature enough to be sure I wouldn’t cause trauma to a tiny being.
Who knows I may have done a good job as I had awareness and things have changed but I’ll never know now anyway.
Your commitment to growth and creatively transforming the shadows of ourselves and our culture is truly remarkable mom. I love you eternally and am grateful you forged your own path of resilience so when I have encountered challenges in my own life, I could lean into the strength you nurtured in me.
As you can see, I'm still hooked! I really love your voice, and the non judgmental way you write about these family dynamics. Your dad is such an interesting character, so is your mom. And the times, ah, that was my era too.
No trepidation necessary! It's really fun for me to read your reflections. I absolutely agree that we are products of all the nuanced and gross (no pun intended!) elements of our upbringing, as you say "the good, the bad and the ugly." And often if it weren't for the ugly, we wouldn't have as many opportunities to deeply reflect on our connection to the rest of humanity and foster some of the deeper truths and virtues of our lives. No ejection from posting necessary, in fact, I welcome your insight and feedback. :)
I really appreciate your reflections! Sounds like you can relate to some of the drama around my childhood - and I agree, there wasn’t a lot of awareness yet around how parental strife can sometimes leave the children a bit feral and fending for themselves to sort it all out. I, too, didn’t have children and although I adore nurturing anyone and anything in my environment now, I do wonder if there was some subconscious trepidation around doing more harm than good to an innocent being. I do think your awareness of it all would’ve likely made you a great mom though! 💛
As your mom of many moons, your own personal bright Light shines clearly & without wavering! You’re a relentless survivor. I was, too, in my own way. I figured that marriage was forever and its “lessons”, like it or not, we’re ultimately there to bring out creative solutions to our generation’s deepest, darkest challenges (remember...ours was the drug, sex, rock ‘n roll generation). And our children’s opportunities to grow, stretch beyond the norm and discover anew, too! It all catalyzed new learnings in love and forgiveness for me. After all, aren’t we all here on Earth for a few years to grow and demonstrate thru our personal lives, our collective awareness of the power, mystery and beauty of Love?
Firstly, Love the chapters! What has struck me so far is how vulnerable and open you are in telling your life stories. I just get how authentic your storytelling is.
Secondly, well I dip my toe into this conversation with great trepidation. I'm probably the least qualified there is regarding this topic. But I will offer one thing that may hold true, at least I believe this anyway. That who each of us is today, at whatever stage of our lives, is a product of our parents along with the environment we were brought up in, yes, that includes friends also, and it includes all of the, real or perceived, good, the bad, and the ugly. That's all rolled up into each of us and makes us who we are. I see the work you do today Kimberly and seems to me all that "stuff" made you turn out alright.
OK, please don't eject me from posting again!! 🤣
Rex
Wow these pictures are blowing my mind!! I can see Eric in your Dad’s smile, and mini Eric is a spitting image of Reed! You are the absolute cutest with your blonde pigtails, and Nance such a beauty as always.
Aside from the pictures, your writing is so eloquent and vulnerable. You ARE a poet, and your words induce a lot of emotion for me. I came here to read a few chapters while I sipped my coffee, and I don’t want to stop! Thank you for sharing this with us 🥰
Of course, I'm picturing you sipping your coffee while somewhere on an Italian verandah? So dear of you to share your thoughts—I'm really touched that you're along for ride as I share these chapters. Already looking forward to the next time we cross paths! xo
I love the sense of you as a child trying to make sense of all this … and the surprise events like salad dumping.
Oh! Thank you for taking a moment to read this Ros. You’re a dear. Here’s to salad and pâté.:)
Thank you for sharing your story. Love your writing. Incredible your parents stayed together, incredible people and so difficult for you as a child. I found myself in a few open relationships and I would never recommend it for a relationship. There feels like there is no real space for true intimacy in all of the upheaval and the depth of the relationship is compromised.
It is Honorable that your parents stepped out of the norm at such a time aswell as your dad bringing alternative therapy into his work. However it must have been so unsettling for you children. On the other hand being in a family of two parents who didn’t enter into an open relationship, the scenes you describe of intelligent conversations turned into angst and long times spent together on road trips becoming a nightmare for me as a child also occurred.
I think we grew up in a generation where children’s feelings werenot even considered during adults melt downs. I think it lacks maturity and that’s one of the reasons I haven’t had children. I didn’t feel mature enough to be sure I wouldn’t cause trauma to a tiny being.
Who knows I may have done a good job as I had awareness and things have changed but I’ll never know now anyway.
Thanks for all of this thought provoking.
Your commitment to growth and creatively transforming the shadows of ourselves and our culture is truly remarkable mom. I love you eternally and am grateful you forged your own path of resilience so when I have encountered challenges in my own life, I could lean into the strength you nurtured in me.
I talk about the good, the bad and the foolish... --and lot of that there was.
On another more apt note: relationships workshops? Startled me, but then, who am I or anyone to judge?
As you can see, I'm still hooked! I really love your voice, and the non judgmental way you write about these family dynamics. Your dad is such an interesting character, so is your mom. And the times, ah, that was my era too.