My curiosity came from a conversation going back and forth on my face book page between my mother and my proxy mom. Reflections of the little girl Shelli, singing and entertaining the family. They were going on and on about the young sparkly Shelli. I asked for pictures of this girl. Hopefully, some of them are coming soon. I did go into my closet and find some old ones.
As I meditated and pondered this girl, teenager, woman, I gave myself an assignment. I began to put some chosen few on a timeline and write about that girl and the events going on in her life that matched up with her soul....her eyes.....her smile. They are all connected. Our eyes are the windows to our soul....As I remember the cute, sparkly, joyful, and full of life Shelli, I realize that that girl went away for a very long time. It was so evident in the pictures, especially in my eyes. But, she is coming back. I welcome her back. I embrace the starry eyed, spunky girl that God created me to be.
Everyone experiences wounds and pain growing up. I guess mine just snuffed the life right out of me for many many years. I didn't even realize it it until I began to study the pictures. Its all in the eyes. I studied the eyes of me in joyful carefree times, and the events that were hard. I wept for the little girl who got lost. I rejoice that I have been reunited with her again! I am inspired. In fact, recently, I was out dancing with some of my best friends, and one of them said, "we have unleashed the beast" My little girl joy was back. She's back, and not going away. In recent pictures of these times, you can see it in my eyes. The "pretending" is over.
The road I am presently traveling on this journey is precious. I will never forget it, even in the pain. I always and I mean ALWAYS felt like someday I would write my story and be able to help others through their difficult times. But the words never came as I sat with pen and paper. I never knew where to begin. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't time yet. The other thing is that I am really not trained to write. I just usually write like I talk.....but stories can be told in pictures too. Lately, I am fascinated with pictures....mainly the eyes...the windows.
Maybe I need to tell "a" story, maybe not necessarily "MY" entire story.....I am inspired to start this project. Everyone has their personal story of pain, and victory. Our pain, celebration, and healing is all unique. I want to weave our stories in and out of a tapestry of God's goodness and love through it. Isn't that what we are all encouraged to do? Help each other?
So in my project, I need help....I need pictures. Lots and Lots of pictures. I am calling upon my friends to send them to me. I would love anything. Anonymous or not doesn't matter. I would love pictures with the close-ups on the eyes. I want smiles and pain. I would love a paragraph or a few sentences about the time in the life of the picture. This project was just laid on my heart yesterday, and I am so excited about what kind of life this will take. I can't wait to see what God will do with it. Until I receive pictures, I will start with my own pictures of me, and my kids, and family members I already have. I know this promises to be a great journey.....If you would like to contribute to it, feel free to email me or mail me your picture or picture with a short paragraph or sentence or two.
My address is Shelli Norvell at 1019 Dunrobin Dr. Franklin, TN 37067
I will tell a story, and I will tell it through pictures...and some words, and some music. It will be a story of God's redemption....love and goodness.
Thanks so much
Love,
Shelli
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