History With Family

As I child I remember going through a big box of old family photos with my mom.  Occasionally my grandmother would visit and she would go over them with me as well.  They told me the story of my family history.  I would go through it over and over wondering what the folks in these old photo were like as people.  This weekend I happened to have the wonderful opportunity to take a class with Orly Avineri and we altered a book cover.  The book was to deal with honoring loss.  It could be a loss of a family member, friend, loved one, or a time, or feeling.  Honoring the loss, the sorrow, the laughter, the memories all of it together.   I decided to do it about my “family”.  I love my family.  I love my biological family and as an adult I love my chosen family.  If you ever get the opportunity to take a class from Orly Avineri take it.  She is the most wonderful teacher and I am so happy to call her my friend as well.  This is the book I did.   The photo on the left side is of my great-grandfather Barley on my father’s side.  The photo on the right is of me and my dog Moochie.  I can’t wait to dive into my altered book.  It has me thinking about family and what it means to me and how they have helped me to develop into who I am today.  For me family includes all my friends, pets, as well.  Because I hold all these wonderful beings inside of me.  They have touched my life and they have helped to make me who I am today.  Who has touched your life?  How have they shaped you and your life?