Touched by the Sunshine
We don’t even live in the same country or follow the same clock. When I am waking my children each morning, likely she is putting hers to bed. If we think of each other, it’s probably never even at the same time.
Her womb is swelling with a new life and my womb is non- existent, tossed out after my operation. She has experience as a teacher and I’m still in college to become one. But chronologically we are both at a similar stage in life. We’ve both learned to finally accept our bodies as what they are, not wait until things are perfect to enjoy life (http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/131600.html#cutid1 ) We are also both mothers. We both want our daughters (and sons) to grow up strong and not feel limited by their gender.
There are struggles in our lives. So many mouths to feed and little bodies to clothes and never quite enough to go around. We both scrimp and pinch and try to decide what is necessary and what we can do cheaper or even go without. Sometimes it seems our lives with be almost perfect with just a bit more money and maybe a little more sleep at night. Such modest dreams. It’s nice to know someone who isn’t always lusting for fancy clothes or expensive gadgets. I admire her ability to mention struggles without being angry at where life has taken her. Reading Ecosopher’s journal reminds me of the riches of life that most of us have but may never notice. She reports on the weather and her garden but also comments on computer games, the role of technology in society ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/126844.html ) and dreams about the future of transportation ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/77341.html ). She appreciates the older traditions but does not ignore the present reality.
ecosopher is not only concerned about the small details her of life, like her poetic discussion on whether or not to clip the wings of her chook ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/126844.html) or her sweet delight in her children’s Christmas gifts ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/122578.html ) . She is also great at making political problems seem personal, like she did in this amazing (but sad) entry on factories in China ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/127677.html ). Somehow, no matter her topic, I always find her words ones I can listen to and understand. Her writing is intelligent but in a way that I can follow, step by step. I guess you could say reading ecosopher grows both my mind AND my heart.
ecosopher is multi-talented. She can cook, she can garden, she can stretch a budget like you’d never imagine. Not only that, she can write (she’s even published in “Idol Meaderings” http://www.amazon.com/Idol-Meanderings-Sophie-N-Childs/dp/1908599014/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331315853&sr=1-1 ) and compose, sing, and write her own music ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/130075.html )
My life is richer for I feel she is there. I feel she understands me and how it is sometimes to just want to not have to struggle quite so hard. For some reason, so far, she is always quietly supportive right when I feel most alone.
What is she like? I think the end of her profile information sums up her perspective very well, “..there's always seeds to sow, songs to sing and new words to learn. Plus, there's the Apocalypse to consider. Until then I'm planting some more trees in the backyard and enjoying the sunshine. There's a lot of it.” ( http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/profile )
ecosopher somehow always believes sunshine is coming, no matter what she faces. And my life is brighter because of her encouraging voice and listening ear.
But honestly, one of the main reasons I chose to write about ecosopher is that it gave me a great excuse to go back and read through her old entries. Reading her journal always reminds me that we are all human but we can keep trying and thinking and growing no matter what we face. So thanks, clauderainsrm , for giving me a reason to read one of my favorite “books” (http://ecosopher.livejournal.com) again!
I think all of her readers are indebted to the one who gave ecosopher that green journal so long ago (http://ecosopher.livejournal.com/124682.html#cutid1 ).