*8Things: Saints and Sinners
I was away on Dia des los Muertos, but when we got back on the first the girls and I put up our annual altar. This year as we arranged our icons and sugar skulls I noted how this practice, once so unfamiliar, has become increasingly rich for us a family.
This year I turned a postcard of Vincent VanGogh into another icon for our memorial. It made me wonder, who would you put in a shrine of *8 people who have influenced you? Here are my *8 Saints and Sinners. (God love ‘em!)
1. Vincent VanGogh - a soulmate who helps me journey through pain and creativity.
2. Rosa Parks – an icon made by my husband, who is always inspired by bravery for the sake of justice.
3. Simeon David Chapman – our first child who was stillborn. The girls love putting his tiny tin shrine up for All Souls.
4. Pauline Jarrett Mee - my Grandmother, making her second appearance this year at the shrine.
5. John Everett Mee – my Grandfather, who’s been on our shrine since just after Cate was born. The last thing he did was fly to Seattle to meet her. When he landed back in California, he went straight to the hospital and never returned. But he was determined to deliver Cate’s traditional pair of baby cowboy boots–black with silver sparkles. That was my Buddy.
6. St. Catherine of Sienna — my favorite historical saint and the woman Catie is named after.
7. Mama God – a tiny clay sculpture helps me remember (and regain) the Feminine Divine.
8. Jesus — I firmly believe that “Jesus got ‘jacked.” I miss the real guy, don’t you?
Who are your *8 Saints and Sinners? Tell us in the comments below, or better yet, grab a *8Things button and play along. Don’t forget that we need the unique permalink in the list. Thanks for playing!
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November 5th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Oooooooo, I really like this one. I’m thinking hard…and then posting. :)
November 5th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
AMen on the “Jesus got ‘jacked”. I’ve been away from all things spiritual for the past year or so. I’ve recently been slooooooowly finding my way back to my spirituality. I visited our old church SUnday with my hubby. Nope. Not for me again. NOOOOO Thank You. I saw some friends there that I’ve really missed but that is it. Gonna have to go ponder my own saints and sinners list now….
:)
November 5th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I think I”m going to have to steal Vangough from you too. I read about him in a book? website? article? about madness and creativity. I connected so much with him and his story that I promptly downloaded a painting of his for my desktop background. Ok, I’m done now and back to working on my own list again.BYE! :)
November 5th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I agree re: “Jesus got jacked.” I’m in such a spiritual desert right now it isn’t funny, and that’s largely WHY.
But, anyway … *cough*. Going to think hard on this one. #1 is easy — the other seven, a little more challenging. Then, I’ll post.
November 6th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Oh, my Jesus-lovin’ sisters…ain’t it so sad that our bad boy got all twisted through years of patriarchal power plays? I say we take him back!
I just want to encourage you today that you can rebuild your spiritual convictions. It takes time, and courage, and a willingness to fail and try again. But you CAN do it. I’m so excited for the upcoming Soultribes. My motto for them is “finding a spirituality that fits.” We can get there together!
Keep finding your Muse.
Your’s on the journey,
Rachelle
November 6th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Ok, I actually posted mine. Thanks for the inspiration!
:)