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May 29, 2007
Someone asked me today how I was able to relate to children so well. Without a second thought I said. “Because I know how to release my inner monkey.” The person looked a little stunned. I don’t know where the answer came from but I really believe that we sometimes take life a little too seriously.
Posted by trevor at 05:53 PM | Comments (1)
May 21, 2007
A Mother's Love
A pot of boiling enthusiasm and passion cannot continue to simmer without a constant flame. My mother is that flame. When my father lost his job around my 12th birthday I had just discovered the art of photography. I was so passionate about taking pictures that I could hardly sleep at night.
Because there was no discretionary money after my dad was retrenched, I was unable to buy film or chemicals for developing my photographs. I was heartbroken but understood the circumstances, so I hid my disappointment to save my parents from feeling any worse than they already did.
There were absolutely no jobs to be had for kids my age so there was no way for me to get money to buy film for myself.
My parents struggled financially for a number of years and during that time my mom began making little felt-stuffed dolls called Gonks. They were round, red little characters with Beatle haircuts. One morning I overheard my mom on the phone. She was in tears and talking to her friend Millicent. I put my ear to the door like any twelve year old eaves-dropper would do. Between her sniffles I heard my mom tell her friend that she only needed to sell a few more Gonks to have enough money to buy film and chemicals for me. I heard her say, “He is so passionate about photography. You should see his eyes when he talks about it. It breaks my heart because I know he is dying to take pictures.”
Two weeks later my mom called me into my room and shut the door. She handed me a roll of film, some photographic paper and chemicals. She asked me to please not say anything to anyone about it, especially my dad, because the money was needed elsewhere.
I hugged my mom and thanked her profusely. I was so excited I just wanted to burst.
“I’ll take great pictures for you,I promise” I said.
“Don’t worry about taking great pictures for me.” she said. “Just have fun.”
As she walked out of the door I noticed she was crying. “Mom,” why are you crying?” I asked.
“Because I just love you so much.” She said, ruffling my mop of curly hair.
Posted by trevor at 09:15 PM | Comments (1)
May 20, 2007
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May 17, 2007
I was visiting the children's hospital a while back and I met an amazing young lady who absolutely made my day. She was a delightful four year-old suffering from childhood cancer and according to the doctors, one of the sweetest kids they ever treated.
I am so glad I got to meet her that day. She was standing in the hallway attached to an IV pole, rubbing her bald little head and looking rather worried.
“Are you alright?” I asked.
“I’m okay,” she said in the sweetest voice. “But my teddy bear has a hell of a headache.”
I laughed so hard I almost cried. She looked at me and started laughing too. We both laughed uncontrollably and each time one of us would stop, the other would giggle and then we’d both burst out laughing again.
It’s amazing how a terminally ill child made me value my very existence. It really put life into perspective.
I am always so appreciative of a humorous nudge from the universe that helps me realize that the world does not revolve around me.
Posted by trevor at 06:32 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2007
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May 15, 2007
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May 13, 2007
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May 10, 2007
I was in my studio this morning after a wonderful sunrise run around Town Lake here in Austin. I was having a lovely cup of Five Roses tea with a spot of milk and some honey.
The light quality this morning was beautiful and crisp. Out of the window I could see sparkling drops of dew, like liquid diamonds, on the tips of the leaves.
I felt euphoric.
Storm the studio cat joined me for tea.
To tell you the truth this was one of the best times I have had in ages. I think it was so great because it just happened. It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t over-produced. It wasn’t catered and designed and rehearsed and discussed and discussed again and fussed about.
It was just a spontaneous early morning tea party for two.
There were no expectations. And because there were no expectations there were no disappointments.
Posted by trevor at 07:23 AM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2007
I love to run.
Especially on mornings like this morning. It was a magnificent sunrise. White swans floated silently through the mist rising from the Lower Colorado River.
The stirring city was quite. All I heard was my breath and the rhythm of my feet striking the path as I ran along the hike and bike trail that meanders alongside the river.
I love to run.
Especially on days like today. Where my breath comes easily and my muscles work comfortably, in unison, like a well-greased machine.
I love to run.
Especially on days like today when the words of my high school coach - telling me I am not good enough for the team and that I should join the marching band or play chess - mean nothing.
Knowing that I don’t need to be PICKED to run.
That I don't need permission to run.
That I don't need to try out to run.
That I CHOOSE to run.
After failing as an athlete, in the eyes of the coaches throughout my school life, I enjoy the fact that I CANNOT and WILL NOT be cut from this team of one, by anyone other than myself.
I love to run.
Especially in different places like Boston, Cape Town, Paris, London, Bangor, Melbourne, Nairobi and Bronkhorstspruit.
I love to run.
Especially at dawn when I feel the spirit of my late dad running alongside me, the two of us breathing as one.
Posted by trevor at 07:46 PM | Comments (0)
May 02, 2007
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