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Challenges Past and Present
Apr 26, 2009
APRICOT BLOSSOMS FOR MITZI (aka 'Marie')

Recently I sat painting and listening to an 83 year old as she talked of the Tyrol and other things. We were at a weekly seniors' lunch club.

Marie reminisced about her young life in Europe, her challenges and achievements, the people she helped avoid being discovered by the Nazis, and her own family lost or punished because they spoke up against the regime. All the while her memories were interspersed with angry outbursts, frustrated at her body's limitations, and bewildered by the trials of her present day, living with a violent grandson. When her tears flowed, I would stop painting and stroke her arm gently, trying to be of comfort, worried about her going home to the physical and mental abuse her grandson dished out to her.

During her reminiscences she mentioned the churches and the apricot trees of Tyrol with much affection. I looked for images of these on the computer at home... finding an appropriate photograph, I could make a line drawing for her to paint, with a print-out of the photograph to refer to.

And I reported the situation of the toxic relationship to community welfare.
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Posted: Apr 26, 2009 6:58pm

 
 
 
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Author

Thubten Chokyi
female , committed relationship, 2 children
Sydney, Australia
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