The Sun My H e a r t
Today I reflect on some of my turns in life.
The most important thing that I have accomplished is launching my one son Emmett with is father on board. Mind you we are not a couple for over 15 years now but we are best friends and co raising him under the same roof. All of us are very individual and separate and supportive of Emmett having a safe and loving environment to grow up and go out in the world as a healthy happy young man.
This week he went off to college and that was a bitter sweet moment for us.
He's very independent, has three jobs, working at a synagogue after classes, teaching guitar and drums on the weekends and doing yard work for a local elderly woman.
I think as parents we are so thankful for having this experience and Spirit in our lives.
Teenagers are tough and its been a constant to make boundaries and steer his ship onto some positive future. Its sort of like power steering at times....keeping a kid on track.
But alas as a parent you have to realize that they need to go, and you want them to succeed and be joyful and grateful and abundant with love to give and an up attitude so that one day he will contribute his voice in this world and possibly make a difference.
Emmett is majoring in physical therapy.
He can pick out Jimi Hendrix with great ease.
Mr Health Foodie & Epicurean Herbalist.
So....let me take you all back just a little bit....birthing to be exact!
I worked up until the last moment. I recall Michell McNally flying me for Fortune magazine first class as I was too plump for coach. Emmett was a big boy. As he arrived after a 24 hr labor I was delirious and I asked Shane if the last job was delivered to the New York Sunday Times magazine...still working...go figure!
Three weeks after our birth we went on the road for Bill Black to WY and CA doing two stories for Travel Holiday. We had Emmett on a cattle round up and in the fog of the Ave of the Redwoods run in Northern California, my homeland. The adventures had begun and a series of trips have always been part of Emmett's life as a son of a photographer.
He's been to Canada, Greece, Vie ques, and many other states for assignments I had been awarded. I also remember shooting a cover for the TIME magazine on breast cancer.
All the woman were related, a grandmother, daughters, grand daughters and new Born's.
While shooting all of them going through some very emotional experiences together I was nursing my son....I found myself in the midst of a very unusual situation.
The give and take of life, makes you think right?
I love my job and shooting stories keeps you fresh and open to those adventures.
Emmett has modeled for projects but that is not his thing for the most part.
Growing up in Manhattan was awesome however having grown up in CA camping, fishing, dirt biking I really wanted him to have those experiences. I was having the time of my life in NYC with my assignments, editors and art buyers. I loved my career.
Now a child in tow what was the best thing to do for him?
I moved to the country so he could have an earthy up bringing.
Pluses and minuses always...Was this a career move?
NOPE. It took my income down 2/3rd for sure but now I have a life, I am not in a car zooming here and there pleasing people, but rather I tend the farm, take random calls, work on art and have given our son all the opportunities I could without the constant buzz of an urban area.
NYC is amazing and it was terrific to raise him near Tompkins Square Park, we had a wonderful nanny Yvonne Sylvester, still very dear to our hearts. Dog walker Monet and amazing friendships and other very creative like minded parents. It was a privilege to have that time in our lives.
I have no regrets, I do miss the big money and plethora of job assignments that come from living in a creative hub however I grow my food, have beauty all around me and my son has a big smile on his face. He has left the nest and will return to do his laundry no doubt but now a new chapter for me and his dad.
Shane is moving to town and I am in go mode with getting books published and more assignments.
Seeking a farm hand and now is my time to concentrate on more art projects and love.
Here's a few snaps ... Enjoy
Today I reflect on some of my turns in life.
The most important thing that I have accomplished is launching my one son Emmett with is father on board. Mind you we are not a couple for over 15 years now but we are best friends and co raising him under the same roof. All of us are very individual and separate and supportive of Emmett having a safe and loving environment to grow up and go out in the world as a healthy happy young man.
This week he went off to college and that was a bitter sweet moment for us.
He's very independent, has three jobs, working at a synagogue after classes, teaching guitar and drums on the weekends and doing yard work for a local elderly woman.
I think as parents we are so thankful for having this experience and Spirit in our lives.
Teenagers are tough and its been a constant to make boundaries and steer his ship onto some positive future. Its sort of like power steering at times....keeping a kid on track.
But alas as a parent you have to realize that they need to go, and you want them to succeed and be joyful and grateful and abundant with love to give and an up attitude so that one day he will contribute his voice in this world and possibly make a difference.
Emmett is majoring in physical therapy.
He can pick out Jimi Hendrix with great ease.
Mr Health Foodie & Epicurean Herbalist.
So....let me take you all back just a little bit....birthing to be exact!
I worked up until the last moment. I recall Michell McNally flying me for Fortune magazine first class as I was too plump for coach. Emmett was a big boy. As he arrived after a 24 hr labor I was delirious and I asked Shane if the last job was delivered to the New York Sunday Times magazine...still working...go figure!
Three weeks after our birth we went on the road for Bill Black to WY and CA doing two stories for Travel Holiday. We had Emmett on a cattle round up and in the fog of the Ave of the Redwoods run in Northern California, my homeland. The adventures had begun and a series of trips have always been part of Emmett's life as a son of a photographer.
He's been to Canada, Greece, Vie ques, and many other states for assignments I had been awarded. I also remember shooting a cover for the TIME magazine on breast cancer.
All the woman were related, a grandmother, daughters, grand daughters and new Born's.
While shooting all of them going through some very emotional experiences together I was nursing my son....I found myself in the midst of a very unusual situation.
The give and take of life, makes you think right?
I love my job and shooting stories keeps you fresh and open to those adventures.
Emmett has modeled for projects but that is not his thing for the most part.
Growing up in Manhattan was awesome however having grown up in CA camping, fishing, dirt biking I really wanted him to have those experiences. I was having the time of my life in NYC with my assignments, editors and art buyers. I loved my career.
Now a child in tow what was the best thing to do for him?
I moved to the country so he could have an earthy up bringing.
Pluses and minuses always...Was this a career move?
NOPE. It took my income down 2/3rd for sure but now I have a life, I am not in a car zooming here and there pleasing people, but rather I tend the farm, take random calls, work on art and have given our son all the opportunities I could without the constant buzz of an urban area.
NYC is amazing and it was terrific to raise him near Tompkins Square Park, we had a wonderful nanny Yvonne Sylvester, still very dear to our hearts. Dog walker Monet and amazing friendships and other very creative like minded parents. It was a privilege to have that time in our lives.
I have no regrets, I do miss the big money and plethora of job assignments that come from living in a creative hub however I grow my food, have beauty all around me and my son has a big smile on his face. He has left the nest and will return to do his laundry no doubt but now a new chapter for me and his dad.
Shane is moving to town and I am in go mode with getting books published and more assignments.
Seeking a farm hand and now is my time to concentrate on more art projects and love.
Here's a few snaps ... Enjoy
Burning Man 2010
Life on the farm feeding our steers.
Grandpa and Emmett at the Fender Museum CA
Emmett chillin summer 2010 with his Fro.
High School Band Competion
Emmett with Donald of ER
Emmett with Donald of ER
age 8 just moved to NM
Tioga Pass age 6 with mom near Mono Lake
Tioga Pass age 6 with mom near Mono Lake
Dirt biken at the Simons farm
Chip Thomas and the boys all blinking , No we don't shoot critters or leave trash at the river.
Very eco minded with the kids....The Rio Grande is in my backyard.
Very eco minded with the kids....The Rio Grande is in my backyard.
Emmett and his puppy Tank in NM
Emmett in the Lossada of NYC where we lived for his first 8 years.
Emmett in the Lossada of NYC where we lived for his first 8 years.
Emmett and Shane painting the music studio.
http://www.rockshackmusic.com
Emmett Thank You for being a wonderful son and Shane thank you for not being a dead beat dad and a wonder example of a man in our lives. I wish both of you all the best as we all go on our separate paths and yet still manage to carry on a drama free family. Its been and incredible 19 years and more to come.
Next chapter to be determined. Love, laughter and living vital is my main goal. The present and physical world of creating is where it is at for this farmgirl/photographer.
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