Climb
This year I have taken the one little word challenge and decided to use the word Climb. I have also decided to give my word a little anthem song to go along with it. By now you've all probably heard this song, but just in case, it is The Climb by Miley Cyrus.
Last year I didn't pick a word. In the fall of 2007 my mom was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, cancer of the appendix. By the time the doctors discovered it it was already stage 4. The next year was as awful as you can imagine. My mom made it through to the following fall and then it was time for her to leave us.
Three days before she passed Brad was diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma. You know that term someone swept the rug right out from under you? Well that's what it felt like. I was in shock, I could not believe that this could be happening all at once. I was filled with despair, loss, worry, and alot of anger.
My one little word for the next 9 months was paralyzed. I wont give you all the gory details, but I was in a bad place. It was right about the spring of 2009 that this song came out, and it was also very near the end of Brads treatments.
I can say that I was still in the ugly place until about August. With the help of my friends I was able to start to pull it together.
On New Years Eve I was sitting on main street in the Magic Kingdom reading this blog entry from Carissa of the Brown Eyed Fox blog. I immediately started thinking about what my word could be.
I had taken this picture the night before at Hollywood Studios. I thought it could be a great idea for a scrapbook layout.
Then the next day I stood before The Tree of Life.
I started to reflect on the past year.
Life had thrown me a curve ball for sure. But here I stood in one of the happiest and funnest places on earth, with my family and a husband who is by the grace of God, still here with us. Gone were the feelings of anger, and selfishness. I wasn't beating myself up for my shortcomings as a wife and mother. I was thanking God for giving me the strength to make it through that storm.
With my held held high,
knowing it's not about how fast I get there,
it's all the lessons, curveballs, ups and downs, joys and triumphs that make up the journey of my life.
I need to keep moving and climbing,
reaching and stretching myself.
With the spirit of that song in my heart I am excited work on strengthening my relationships with my family and friends, including my new blog family.
Stay connected to my pre-teen and teenager, in a world where we all think we are connected just by being plugged ... literally.
Pray better, harder and more.
Stay consistent with working out and eating better.
Expand and grow Front -n- Center Designs.
Learn more about photography and digital elements
Come out of my shell a bit. I know looking at the blog you might not get that, but there are things I dream about doing and putting on here that I am too scared to do.
(no worries... they don't include a pole)
I had to get something funny in there!
No, there arn't any crazy things like jumping out of airplanes or actually scaling mountains...
The metaphor in the song works fine for me.
So, putting all these elements together this is what I came up with:
At the end of the month I will be hanging it in a frame so that I can have it as a visual reminder for the rest of the year.
I loved the layered look of the billboard.
I freehanded the tree, sponge painted the leaves in and then used a leaf punch to rough up the edges.
I tore little pieces of paper and stained them sunset colors like in the billboard and taped them down under the tree.
For the tree trunk I was inspired by the tree trunk on The Living Tree in the Animal Kingdom. I used words as my carvings.
If you would like a more detailed tutorial I can do that for you.
Enjoy...
the Climb
Monday, January 11, 2010 at 09:20PM
Reader Comments (11)
Wow! Love the post, love your word. How true. I want to make one. Although alot of time has passed from losing my mother, I still have not truly surfaced. I know on the surface I give the appearance that you have for the sake of family. But I know deep down Im still lost. I look at pictures of me from 6 years ago and still say where am i...Thanks for your creativity and sharing your story. Still hunting for my word. darn.....
So great!! Climb- that is an awesome choice! And the layout is outstanding!! I think I'm going to go back and look at it again....so great!
So I just have to comment one more time to tell you how glad I am that you shared so much in this post. You are such a strong lady!!
Have a great day friend!!
Goodness, what a beautiful word for you!!! So sorry for the loss of your Mother and so thankful for your husbands restored health....and looking forward to your new projects in 2010! You are truly talented!
Many Blessings!
Jill
Wow! Powerful, Beautiful post! You are one "neat-o" chick! Thank you for sharing something so deeply personal. Cancer is also a huge part of my family tree. My mom and younger sister are both breast cancer survivors. My sister was 31 and diagnosed with stage 4, and I thank God everyday for healing two of the most precious women in my life. Thank you for your comments on my blog, they made my day! Can't wait to receive my headband! Thursday is fine, by the way.
This is a beautiful post!!!! The writing is beautiful and your calendar layout is too!!! My mom had breast cancer so I know all to well how hard it is seeing someone you love so sick. Luckily she is fine, just like Brad. Keep up your strength and your courage to continue your climb!!!!!!
Wow! this is an amazing post...so inspiring. Your word is very thought out. I love the song incorporation. That tree "picture" you did is fantastic. I have faith in you. You will do wonderful things with the attitude that you have. When you start to feel down, just listen to that song, and I am sure it will lift your spirits up! Awesome!!
can't see... can not see. crying... oh my.
what a special post. your words... i could feel 'em.
so glad that you shared... allow us to see your precious heart.
i can only imagine how devasting the last year was for you. how it must have "paralized" you.
your mom can see your climb... each & every leap and step up that tree!
all i know... every single time i hear that song... which i have to say... is one of my all time favorites... i will be rooting for you!
here's to climbing and stretching... becoming all that we can BE!
and to think that you read my post while in magic kingdom... smiles!!!!
big love to you & oodles of hugs!
I'm so proud of you. You can do this! I know I have been right there with you. Tears are flowing as I write this to you. Loosing my Dad in six weeks of the time he was diagnosed and my Husbands Grandfather had a Massive Heart -attack on the same day passed as my Dad. Pat had just had two back operations. My family was a mess my children so hurt loosing these two men. It still hurts today but it does get easier. I promise you. They are never forgotten always in our minds and hearts.
I believe fate has brought me to find you. I only wish we lived closer you and I have so much in common if you only knew.
Your talent is overwhelming you inspire me. I can't even imagine how in the world you thought of the "Layout". I wish I could think out of the box like that. "The Climb" is such a beautiful word to describe your life right now. I know your Mom is smiling down on you and so proud of you. Hugs to you Diana...keep climbing my love your family needs you just like you needed your MOM. XOXO
You mentioned that the heart felt stories on Idol made you cry and that I should watch it with a box of kleenex by my side, however........ you did not warn me that i would cry from reading your blog! You are one of the strongest people I know and you trully inspire me to work on being a better person everyday! I love You!
Love love LOVE your your post... Beautifully written... You want to photograph more -- and I wish to write more! We have such crossovers in interests... Great blog!! Keep up the good work... Keep climbing ;-) XO.