Solitude
Ever want to run away? Maybe that’s too drastic. There are certainly times for all of us when we want to get away. Maybe to be completely left alone, but for me usually I want to get away with just my two boys, Quinn and Marcus. We do alone, together, pretty well.
Even so, Marcus and I are apt to go to cities first and participate in the bustle. We go to exciting destinations and do something filling; not always, but often our location is chosen by something asked of us by others.
Quinn urges us to get away to somewhere quiet. Low pressure. To go somewhere and unwind, empty out the cluttered mind, release, and breathe.
We haven’t been/done that for, well too long a while. My spirit is craving it. Somewhere quiet, isolated, unwind, unscheduled, restful and refill in a different way. Refill from our own well.
Seeing this photo reminds me, I need to work on that.
New Territory
It’s not easy going in front, entering into new territory. In literature the phenomenon is called,”The reluctant hero.”
“I can’t fight in the rebellion, I’m in enough trouble as it is…”Said Luke and “I can’t be king,” said Simba. You remember.
We are each the reluctant hero of our own lives in our own micro-chasmic ways.
Status
Marcus is a rock star. To us, he’s always been a rock star. He’s always been funny and empathetic and eager to improvise. His creativity makes him a resourceful problem solver, in addition to a fabulous storyteller.
At first I shared his day to day activities (like this ordinary day in January six years ago) and his wisdom bombs, via this website just to show how lovely and regular our lives were (compared to what I imagined people imagined).. Nothing fancy. Still, worthwhile.
Then we published his book and he started giving speeches and Holy Moly, now everyone knows he’s a rockstar. Well…not everyone. But anyone could, really.
The Thing Is…
The thing is I’m not trying to prove Marcus’ worth based on his success “on paper.” Or even try to overwhelm the world with “overcoming” – I’m not the biggest fan of that phrase. I’ve always wanted to show the”worth” of a supported, safe, thriving and ever-learning lifestyle, something I think everyone is “worthy” of. I hope it’s clear I still am. And that Marcus is a first and foremost a self-advocate who’s simply selling his books.
Marcus is definitely a reluctant hero if there ever was one. Traditional learning, aka school, was never his thing. This post-school world of learning by doing, trying new things, getting pushed and/or encouraged into public situations has allowed him to grow, learn, and share more than any of his teachers probably envisioned (even the good ones, and there were several).
But being in front has its down points, concerns, even sacrifices. Forgive me here because now I have to be vague in the interest of his safety and privacy. So don’t dwell, just trust me.
The point is (or points are, as I hope you’ve spotted a few):
Everyone needs space now and then. Everyone is worthy of a supported life to reach their potential. Everyone is the hero of their own journey.
There maybe more in there too, but let’s go with the “rule of three” for today.
Everyone needs space now and then. Everyone is worthy of a supported life to reach their potential. Everyone is the hero of their own journey. Click To Tweet
So, that little jaunt around the corners of my jumbled mind and back is where this photo took me…where does it take you? Please share with us here in the Finish the Sentence Friday #BlogHop. Write to the photo and/or to its title: Pioneer.
One more plug for something completely different before you go. This photo was taken way, way out in the Nebraska Panhandle. If you, like me, are fascinated by this landscape and would be interested in a wander into a dystopian adventure which is also an homage to Willa Cather’s My Antonia, check out my short story “Nia’s Journey “ (and other breathtaking works of art) in the “Willa Cather Review.” Available in print for sale here (Willa Cather Review Vol. 61, No. 2) or free online PDF here. If you’re feeling generous, let me know what you think and share.
I saw your title for this week’s prompt on FB earlier and didn’t click because I didn’t want your words too much in my brain, which I know you get, but I’ll say I love the title. I also love your words “We are each the reluctant hero of our own lives in our own micro-chasmic ways.” I’m trying to see mine, outside of Tucker right now and it’s so much harder than I thought it would be. Outside of him, that is.
The proving worth outside of paper-worth is exausting but you’ve done a great job of laying the foundation for Marcus to do so himself, and he IS!
Also, just saying, if you all want a quiet place to get away, you’re welcome to home-base here. I’ll DM you. Anyway. Love you people, and know this time of year must be extra crazy, promoting Black Day. Let me know if I can help.
Yes, yes, YES! Marcus is so inspiring and it’s all because of your unwavering, unconditional support. I hope I can guide Brady to a fulfilling path as he ages by somehow taping into a personal passion of his. It’s so unclear as to what we will be doing as he ages. For now, I bask a bit in the success of mainstreaming him and him making new friends this school year (already!!). I love the photo and enjoyed this writing prompt! Thanks for allowing me to see what a reluctant hero can accomplish with the love of his family.
Aww, thank you! Brady will show you his talents and passions in his time, I have no doubt. Thanks for the comment and I’m glad you’ve joined the #Hop!
Mardra,
really excited about your Pioneers and how they got into a literary journal.
And so glad you and Quinn made special time for one another and his world.
Marcus we know is a rock star.
When I was discovering feminist literature in 1997 Willa Cather and My Antonia and O Pioneers were always on the list – thanks Frank Magill and his team.
Yes, thank you. Once in a while we write something we like, and I kind of like the “Nia” story. 🙂 I am a huge fan of Willa Cather, I learned to love her works in early adulthood and they have stayed with me. Thank you for the comment and joining this week’s #Hop.
Oh my goodness, I love this. And I know he doesn’t need to be in print to understand his magic, but it kind of started a long time ago because YOUR words bring him alive to all of us. And I get all of your points. I do!
Thanks very much!