between
"Womanhood and Motherhood"
But, when it comes to marriage most new wives have a desire to have children. Every couple has an idea when they would want that to happen, sooner or later it becomes "the plan" and when it just doesn't seem to happen questions arise. Then things begin to move to solve the riddle. If answers are slow in coming more extreme measures become a reality until finally, even adoption becomes part of the discussion.
Odia, our daughter, had had just this experience. Throughout these seventeen years of coping with infertility. Painfully waiting, yearning and every month disappointment stabbing her heart. Meanwhile, she was busy expressing her feelings of pain through art. I had no knowledge of this, but it's been in preparation for this art show that these art pieces have been revealed.
It's at this art show "Suspended: It is About Pursuit" that she will be revealing these pieces. Most of them are installations that very
appropriately to her story will be literally "suspended" in the gallery.
All of them are connected to her journey dealing with the seventeen years of waiting for pregnancy to occur. It is art inspired by her life and experience being suspended between womanhood and motherhood. It is a story that a lot of women or couples will identify with. But beyond that, it is a story of human experience where we all experience the pain of being suspended in life. Between where we are and what we hope for or expect in life.
But wait. There is one thing you need to know. Last Wednesday morning Odia gave birth to her first child. After 26 weeks and one day, Georgia arrived, premature for sure (1lb.13oz.) but healthy and breathing on her own. The seventeen years of waiting have ended! Mother, husband, family and child are all doing fine. She is her miracle baby!
One of her large instillation, which she began before she became pregnant, has to do with the miracle of her "suspended" state ending. It's a piece all about healing.
Where are you "suspended" in life? Are you stuck, suspended between what is and what should actually be? You are invited to come, see and experience Odia's journey, but, here's the thing, you may also participate. That's right, in one of her installations Odia invites you to enter the crowd, and prayerfully touch the hem of His garment for your own personal healing.
have been accomplished by people
who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” – Dale Carnegie.