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I'm Inspired - Geri's Blog
Spirit, Intuition, Emotions, The Afterlife and Facebook January 19, 2010 I'm Inspired by Collaboration “I can’t wait for Gerarda to see it,” Julia said. “She’s going to cry, isn’t she?” The proof book for “Just Me and the Trees” came back last week. It’s just as beautiful as I imagined it would be. I was so proud to show it to Author Julia Cohn and her two children yesterday. I held it behind my back while I did a fake bugle call. "Dadadadada!" Young and acrobatic, Abby got into it and started marching. Nathan was curious, but like most boys, his handheld game won out. I thought about Julia’s question about Gerarda. She’s the illustrator who poured her heart and prayers into this book. She's also my older sister. As self-publisher, I hooked Gerarda up with Julia. My sister's drawings spoke to Julia. And now, as we look at the book, we realize there would be no book without Gerarda. I watched as Julia turned the pages I could tell she liked the final copy as much as I did. That made me smile. We sat in my living room and talked. She’d pick up the book from time to time to sniff the new print. It reminded me of the mimeographed sheets with the purple ink from elementary school. If you're not of a certain age you missed out on the almost daily pleasure of sniffing before answering the questions. Anyway, the proof book is here. Copies are being printed in bulk and I am inspired because more than one hundred people who pre-ordered the book will be receiving it in the mail during February because of our joint effort. This book came a long way from inspiration to collaboration to manifestation. I enjoyed most steps along the way. Even the frustrations about getting documents sent and verification of receipt and printing deadlines not being met, were all relatively painless. Just minor bumps in the road, especially now, as Julia and I sit here passing the book back and forth. We are admiring Gerarda's drawings. Her simple drawings speak volumes. Of course, there would be no book without Julia's beautiful children and their appreciation for learning meditation. On the technical side, there would be no book without several people playing roles. Author, co-ordinator, book designer, printer; even though we were separated by distance, from New York to Chicago to Singapore, we worked together. With that said, there still would be no book without Gerarda. Julia and I sat in the living room, talking about our favorite pages. They turned out to be the same ones. We both love the brightness of the trees on the cover, the page of the kids around the world and the colors in the bathroom scene. Julia said she’d like her own bathroom to look like that. When you receive your copy, you will be able to tell that Gerarda poured a big part of herself into this book. I finally got around to answering Julia’s question. “Yes,” I said. “Gerarda will definitely cry when she sees this book.” ------------------------------------------------------ January 16, 2010 I'm Inspired by the 8th graders I’m inspired by the parents who took their children to the Selective Enrollment for Chicago Public High Schools this morning. It’s a test for 8th graders who want to attend any of several academically challenging schools in Chicago. Andrew lost his entrance paper, so we got there early to re-register him. We received special privileges because Andrew lost his paper. We were allowed inside. Others weren’t so lucky. “You have to stop here,” said the man at the door of Lane Tech. I imagined him to be the math or science teacher. “But I didn’t kiss my son!” said the young father with open mouth and wide eyes. “Well, I’m sorry, you should have thought about that earlier. You can’t go in.” I looked at the disappointment on the dad’s face. A mom nearby reacted, “I did that this morning, I took care of that early on!” she said enjoying the sentiment and glad she at least did the one thing she could do to control events surrounding the Selective Enrollment test – a good sendoff. I watched the parents walk up to the door and those after the drop off point. One couple had worn out coats and loose sweatpants. As they walked by me, I caught a brief glimpse. She was worried. He shrugged his shoulders. I could tell they did all they could to prepare for today’s test. That is, I could tell they really cared about their child and they got him or her to the test on time. I saw several boys who looked like men already. Individually, they walked up to the door without parents. They seemed very confident. Their coats were buttoned, hoodies visible and entrance paper in hand. Most of the girls entering without parents had other girlfriends with them. Many traveled up in pairs. When I was inside I saw that the cafeteria was ¼ filled already with kids from around the city. Some were nervous, some hopeful and others I know from my morning encounter -- overconfident. The woman at the desk wrote out a new entrance form for Andrew. She asked, "What’s the name?" Before I could answer, Andrew said “Donchak, d-o-n-c-h-a-k.” The woman asked several other questions which Andrew answered. When he was handed the new entrance form, he turned to me and said, “OK, thanks mom. I’ll see you later.” That was it. No drama, no hug, no kiss. No wish you well. I stood there and thought – should I be doing something for him? He went into the cafeteria, and I went out into the cold. This morning, I realize it’s not about the parents. Because I’m not only inspired by the parents today, I’m also inspired by the 8th graders who are growing up. Just turning out for the test today makes them all winners. ------------------------------------------------------- January 3, 2009 I'm Inspired by 2010 I’m inspired by the new year, 2010. I’ve been reading new age literature that talks about our world being filled with new energy. Many of us will be thinking more with our hearts than with our minds. And that’s what some are calling the new feminine energies. I grew up across the street from The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn. In spite of that honorable title for a beautiful Church, I felt the teachings of Christianity placed Mary in the background. I was a child and that's how I saw it: Jesus the man was always doing the miracles and Mother Mary in the background playing the supportive role for her son. It was not that way at all, but like I said I perceived the overall patriarchy of the Church and maybe placed Mary in the background like the Priests placed all women in the background; they were good enough to clean the altar, but not good enough to serve the heavenly host. In Jesus’ first recorded miracle, it was his mother who pushed him. They were at a friend’s wedding, and the hosts did not have enough wine. The story I learned was that Jesus said more than once, “It is not my time.” Mary didn’t honor Jesus’ word. She told workers to gather as much water as they could and bring the vessels to her son. You know the rest of the story. Mary’s role was pivotal in the life of Jesus. Mary’s role was like the role of God’s in our lives today. He is always in the background pushing us to do something we are not always comfortable doing. He invites us to be more and do more. That’s what Mary did for Jesus. Some say the new feminine energy is being ushered in with the year 2010. When I read about this, I can’t help but think about our Mother Mary; The Mother of God. Is she not a God herself? And could it be that it is Her love that will become more present on Earth this year? With her feminine energy, well, she did all right by Jesus. So, I think she’ll be a big help to us, too. This year, I hope to take her presence out of the background and put her front and center in my thoughts. This year, I am going to be open to her guidance. -------------------------------------------------------- December 26, 2009 I'm Inspired by something under the tree that wasn't for me “That’s Crazy!” some would say. I spent a good part of my Christmas holiday reading Tracy Morgan’s book “I’m the New Black.” I’m a major 30 Rock fan. But that’s not why the book is in my home. It was a gift under the tree from my 14-year-old son to his 17-year-old brother. They thought it would be hilarious. Lucky for me, they were wrong. The book is an inspirational story. Briefly: anybody from anywhere can do anything with the help of God. Morgan grew up in Brooklyn, like me. But his neighborhood was called “Bed Stuy.” To us Bay Ridge folks, Bedford Stuyvesant was home to “the projects:” code word for ghetto. Morgan talks about growing up and losing friends in the violent drug trade. He talks about leaving his mother at an early age, feeling neglected if not abused. He also talks about a raunchy revenge he waged on the kids in the hood after someone stole his sneakers. I’ll spare you the visual. But it resulted in the neighborhood pool being shut down for half the summer. And he also talks about being funny, the gift God gave him. Morgan is a complicated artist with unique life experiences and a unique perspective on who he is and where he comes from. And I don’t mean “Bed Stuy.” Throughout his book, he references his connection to loved ones who have passed from this world and he talks about his connection to God. The actor has fond memories of his dad, who he lived with for several years in The Bronx. James Morgan, a Viet Nam veteran, taught Tracy how to take care of himself and be independent. But throughout the book, another Father comes in front and center for the former SNL star. Morgan is guided by our Heavenly Father to keep it loose and be real. It’s guidance he listens to and is greatly rewarded. Morgan’s comedy is not for everyone. I find his tweets particularly raw. But he’s not playing to me. He is true to himself and keeps his comedy street. Morgan takes his guidance from his connection to his Spirit. And that’s a connection we can all learn from. --------------------------------------------------------
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