MIKAH BLOG
Reflections from a different vantage point
It is hard to see the detail when we are so close to the picture. But the miracles in our own journeys are sprinkled through our lives and if we want to see, we may need to just step back a bit and look onto our lives as an outsider and we will also, be able to see the miracles within.
A Second Act Story
I was physically and emotionally ill. My immune system was a compromised. I was crumbling.
Dreams of Motherhood Shattered
I was crying, and I told my husband,
"I mourn the death of me."
"Why is everything so out of control?"
"I hate what I see in the mirror."
"Why am I so upset about my scars?"
A Dream Becomes a Nightmare
He remained abstinent for the few weeks leading up to the birth, but then began to use a week after. The hormones and lack of sleep alone can put a new mom over the edge. I was constantly worried. But also very sad, very angry, very helpless and very alone.
The bond of Kintsugi
Wow! I continued writing, as she was saying, “I am so lucky.” At my count, I believe she said it 8-10 times in the interview. She was someone recounting her multiple falls, breaks, disenchantments, and incredible pain. At the same time, she could clearly see the loving and guiding hand that was next to her.
Prelude to Kintsugi
This is me! I am broken and mended! I survived a divorce before I survived my mother's suicide, and I will survive this, too. I will put gold in my cracks. I will persevere!
Deep Scars
A woman is often defined by her appearance. Having a scar on one's face is something that can’t be hidden. It is the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning. The trauma of the experience goes beyond the diagnosis; it goes beyond the pain; it is much more than skin deep.
Blinded by the Sun
The surgery was scheduled. The fear of what would happen to my face was constant. The success rate of this type of surgery is 90% so the odds were good. But we are not talking about a shoulder, an arm, or my back. We are talking about the tip of my nose.
Lessons I learnt from Lisa’s Kintsugi Story
Good thoughts feeds more good thoughts. Good mood feeds more good mood. “Yeses” feed more yeses. It is so important to connect with people that bring the best in us, because the more good we put into the world the more good comes out of it.
Abandoned Again
I was in my mid-50s. I hadn't worked in years. I was a collage artist. No one earns anything substantial from collages. This was not our only loss. We lost our home, our safe heaven. We lost our two dogs as well, within two years of her leaving. It was loss on top of loss. Before we recovered from one, we had another loss. Then, I heard an inner voice.
A Vessel of Wisdom and Inspiration
"Faith might be the only thing that will set you free".
In Memorium
Doni Bulow February 16, 1994 - May 19, 2013
When Love isn't Enough
"We know about the pancreas and that when insulin is missing, we can replace it. We know about heart disease, and we know that there are diets and medications that will keep the issues under control. We are leaning a lot and yet, there is very little that we know about the brain. My son was ill, and the lack of knowledge, the lack of experience, the lack of understanding created a situation where we had very few options for his treatment. Therefore, it was clear to doctors, perhaps before it was clear to us, that the illness would likely eventually take his life."