U is for Unbroken
This soapstone sculpture is a stylized representation of a family with two adults and two children. It was carved in Peru, and purchased at One World Goods, a local store selling free-trade and sustainable sourced merchandise created by artisans around the world. My daughter, who volunteers there, gave it to me for Mothers Day years ago. Then, disaster struck – my family was broken!
Everyone pulled together. I did some Internet research about soapstone and what adhesives might work. My son-in-law, who worked for years at a craft store, helped me buy the right stuff. Then four days ago we joined forces to mix the epoxy, assemble the pieces, wipe the excess, and hold it all in place while it set. I’m happy to report that the photo at the top shows how it is right now. If you look closely you can see the seams, but it’s all in one piece.
I don’t want to blow this incident out of proportion. I know there are families that are truly broken, and I mean no disrespect to people living that painful reality. I see you, and my heart aches for you. But this little sculpture story has some metaphorical weight for me. My daughter gave it to me after she had moved out of the house, not long before she married. My son had also moved out, leaving my husband and me in the big house alone. There are moments when I feel like my family is in pieces, my children scattered. But my family is absolutely unbroken. I’m the most fortunate of empty-nesters because they all live nearby and come over once a week for dinner and gaming. They were around our table yesterday for Thanksgiving, as they are every year. There is nothing I’m more thankful for.
What about you? Do you have the opportunity to join hands with your family? Are there broken places, held together with epoxy and determination? What are you most thankful for?
You can join in on the photo challenge! Pick any image you created you can label with the letter U. Show us your umbrella, your Uncle Joe, even your underwear if you’re feeling bold! Here’s how to participate.
- Post an image on your own blog or website.* All types of images are welcome. If you have serious equipment and serious skills, that’s awesome! If you snap pics on your phone (like me), that’s also awesome!
- Post a comment on this page with a link back to your post. If you post a comment that includes a link to your blog, I will add a link to your post below.
- Check back over the next week to follow the links. That way you can see what other people did with the theme and join in the fun.
Once again, Olga Odim shares a custom cover for the week, based on umbrellas. Check it out here.
*Just so we’re all clear, you post your photos on your own site, which means you aren’t giving control to me or to anyone else. We’re all invited to view the images you post (and comment if your site allows for comments), but nobody has the right to use your images in any way without your permission. Got it? Great!
Word Wacker 