Lisa Call

 
I want to thank everyone who left a comment on my previous post or sent me email. They were all very much appreciated.

I returned home Friday after my dad’s memorial service in Arizona. I had to rush back home to attend my son’s black belt test in taekwondo today. I was torn between staying and spending time with my family when it is much needed and being here to support my son in his triumph after he put in 4 years of hard work to achieve his goal. Watching him today I know I made the right choice but it’s hard to not be with my brother, sister and dad’s wife right now.

My dad was an incredible person and the loss is going to take some time to get over but life goes on and I have numerous wonderful memories to comfort me. Letting go is never easy but it’s time.

 
In January I posted my very optimistic list of goals for the year. When I wrote those goals I knew it would be very difficult to meet them as my dad was diagnosed with cancer in October and I lost my 2 grandmothers in September and December 2006. But we were very optimistic and sure my dad would beat this and I new that goals and structure would help me through these difficult times and keep me motivated and focused. I was thinking positive and looking to move forward.

Then in January my mom’s husband passed away (it’s not been a very good year for my family). So things got off to a rough start. After a bit I was able to refocus and I muddled through the year meeting some goals and completely blowing others. The worst was sending out a postcard to the press as a teaser for an upcoming press release. Then I went to visit my dad and all motivation for writing the press release disappeared and it never happened. Probably a serious crime in the world of dealing with the press for an unknown artist but so be it. It wasn’t meant to happen.

My studio newsletter is still non-existent and in general most of my business plans didn’t come to fruition due to neglect. I’ve come to terms with it all and accept that things will happen when it’s time. This was not the year for some of these things.

There are some bright spots in the year, such as being asked to curate a show at an art center in 2008 (more on that soon), and I have no regrets. I focused on my family and that was what I needed and wanted.

This fall I realized the year didn’t pan out as expected so I entered some juried shows for the emotional boost those acceptances provide. So far I’m running 3 for 3 in acceptances with 4 more still to hear from. While these juried shows aren’t my future they seemed like just the right fit for the year I’m having.

I’m chalking this up as a year of experimenting and learning (ie etsy is not for me).

And letting go.

And most importantly - moving forward even when things are difficult. The direction may not be as planned but moving forward and thinking positively has helped me keep on going.

 
Again - thank you for all of your support this past week.

The above photo is of an agave that bloomed this spring in my dad’s yard.