2010 In The Rearviewmirror

by emma | Dec 31, 2010 | Musings

It’s that time of year again: turkeys, over-indulgence, reflection, rest, crackers, fireworks…

As I read back through this years blog archives, I found some words I’d all but forgotten about, but that God clearly hadn’t:

“I don’t really have any specific resolutions (though if I did they’d probably echo my buddy Chris)
for this year, or decade, but I know I want it to be one where I continue to push myself out of my
comfort zones. I want to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

How true that turned out to be. 2010 has been the most difficult year of my life. Yet I’m glad; I’m glad that I am moving forward even if that has meant going back, and going through seasons of pain.

Thought I’d share a few highlights of 2010.

-> Photographing some good friends weddings
-> Getting to know someone who has quickly become my best friend
-> Photographing Belfast from the top of the Obel Tower
-> Facing fears and taking steps towards healing and wholeness
-> Alton Towers roadtrip
-> Being loved & valued by my Geek Summit community
-> Tell It In Colour, and Jude’s friendship
-> Being a part of the Green Pasture’s family, however briefly

How about you? What has marked 2010 for you?

This Place, These Experiences

by emma | Oct 20, 2010 | Musings

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post about my experiences, good and bad, growing up in Northern Ireland. It sparked a few interesting conversations, and I guess I felt that it deserved a bit of a follow up.

Maybe it was my fault for writing in to vague & generic a tone. I don’t mean to paint N.I. with such broad strokes… for all it’s size, it is an incredibly diverse little country.

My post was written from a deeply personal perspective; shaped by my experiences growing up there. Others have had completely different experiences, no less valid.

The post was coming from a place of truly grappling with my past for the first time; with being ready to start to face the fears and hurts I carry from it, as well as the joys.

Those experiences I wrote of come from a particular set of circumstances.

It comes from growing up in the D.U.P. heartland, “Ulster Says Never” area.

It comes from watching a friend be run out of her home because she was the “wrong” religion for the village.

It comes from a lack of space to question.

It comes from attending 5 funerals by the age of 23, only one of which was for someone above the age of 30.

Those are a few of the things that have shaped, moulded, and marked me. They are (some of) what I wrestle with in my dark nights. So, please forgive me if my previous post was too broad-sweeping and perhaps not quite honest enough. It’s all a learning curve, right?