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Autobiography
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From: Melody Allen <melodyan>
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 11:11:22 -0400
I, too, appreciate Monica's insightful remarks. We are looking at autobiographies. It is hard enough for an author to sort through facts and perceptions to come up with an honest reflection of a life; a person's life is naturally messy and not designed to be utilitarian. However, we learn so much by seeing that others share pain and confusion and moments that fall short of perfection, to see that people can be at times weak and mean, etc. while also at times being strong and selfless (that maybe that SS grandfather was a loving family member). Lois Lowry is equally honest in building on lowpoints in her personal life in her writing which then gives others strength and comfort and the courage to move on. In looking at these authors' lives, it is fascinating to consider how their experiences have impacted their writing and illustration and such a role model to kids about how to move forward in positive ways from whatever life deals you.
Melody Allen melodyan
---------From: Maia Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:54 AM To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: Autobiography
Thank you, Monica. Reading your post was like a little lift of fresh air for me...
I have a very dear friend whose grandfather was a German nazi, SS. This friend of mine is possibly the "best" person I know, though I doubt she thinks of herself that way. She has a natural kindness and sensitivity and inclusiveness - not in a pat or saccharine sort of way, but genuine. Yet the few times I have heard her speak of her grandfather, there has been guilt and pain in her voice, as if somehow by sharing his blood she has shared his guilt.
As a granddaughter of immigrants, I know well that part of one's inheritance is what pain and confusion remained unresolved in the lives of previous family members. For this friend, I know that she has to find her own way through the guilt and suffering bequeathed to her, both so that she can live her own life more lightly, and so that she will not pass the burden on. And yet, I wonder how welcome her story would be, how well our diverse and inclusive community would empathize with her pain? Or is hers a story that is expected to remain politely unspoken? My roots in psychology warn that a grief repressed, suppressed, unspoken, is the most likely to live again...
I wonder if the children of criminals suffer as dearly as the children of victims? And is theirs a story worth telling? (And are we whole enough to hear it?)
Maia Cheli-Colando
the and I title. without to read again, Anne children. I'm would family patriotic, themselves. My stay Poland father fair relatives camps, write will parents didn't they ethnic and religion did. My children a like, but it so horrify make are so Germany, Each way. individuals all age) six
---------From: Maia Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:54 AM To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: Autobiography
Thank you, Monica. Reading your post was like a little lift of fresh air for me...
I have a very dear friend whose grandfather was a German nazi, SS. This friend of mine is possibly the "best" person I know, though I doubt she thinks of herself that way. She has a natural kindness and sensitivity and inclusiveness - not in a pat or saccharine sort of way, but genuine. Yet the few times I have heard her speak of her grandfather, there has been guilt and pain in her voice, as if somehow by sharing his blood she has shared his guilt.
As a granddaughter of immigrants, I know well that part of one's inheritance is what pain and confusion remained unresolved in the lives of previous family members. For this friend, I know that she has to find her own way through the guilt and suffering bequeathed to her, both so that she can live her own life more lightly, and so that she will not pass the burden on. And yet, I wonder how welcome her story would be, how well our diverse and inclusive community would empathize with her pain? Or is hers a story that is expected to remain politely unspoken? My roots in psychology warn that a grief repressed, suppressed, unspoken, is the most likely to live again...
I wonder if the children of criminals suffer as dearly as the children of victims? And is theirs a story worth telling? (And are we whole enough to hear it?)
Maia Cheli-Colando
the and I title. without to read again, Anne children. I'm would family patriotic, themselves. My stay Poland father fair relatives camps, write will parents didn't they ethnic and religion did. My children a like, but it so horrify make are so Germany, Each way. individuals all age) six
Received on Tue 06 Apr 1999 10:11:22 AM CDT
Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 11:11:22 -0400
I, too, appreciate Monica's insightful remarks. We are looking at autobiographies. It is hard enough for an author to sort through facts and perceptions to come up with an honest reflection of a life; a person's life is naturally messy and not designed to be utilitarian. However, we learn so much by seeing that others share pain and confusion and moments that fall short of perfection, to see that people can be at times weak and mean, etc. while also at times being strong and selfless (that maybe that SS grandfather was a loving family member). Lois Lowry is equally honest in building on lowpoints in her personal life in her writing which then gives others strength and comfort and the courage to move on. In looking at these authors' lives, it is fascinating to consider how their experiences have impacted their writing and illustration and such a role model to kids about how to move forward in positive ways from whatever life deals you.
Melody Allen melodyan
---------From: Maia Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:54 AM To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: Autobiography
Thank you, Monica. Reading your post was like a little lift of fresh air for me...
I have a very dear friend whose grandfather was a German nazi, SS. This friend of mine is possibly the "best" person I know, though I doubt she thinks of herself that way. She has a natural kindness and sensitivity and inclusiveness - not in a pat or saccharine sort of way, but genuine. Yet the few times I have heard her speak of her grandfather, there has been guilt and pain in her voice, as if somehow by sharing his blood she has shared his guilt.
As a granddaughter of immigrants, I know well that part of one's inheritance is what pain and confusion remained unresolved in the lives of previous family members. For this friend, I know that she has to find her own way through the guilt and suffering bequeathed to her, both so that she can live her own life more lightly, and so that she will not pass the burden on. And yet, I wonder how welcome her story would be, how well our diverse and inclusive community would empathize with her pain? Or is hers a story that is expected to remain politely unspoken? My roots in psychology warn that a grief repressed, suppressed, unspoken, is the most likely to live again...
I wonder if the children of criminals suffer as dearly as the children of victims? And is theirs a story worth telling? (And are we whole enough to hear it?)
Maia Cheli-Colando
the and I title. without to read again, Anne children. I'm would family patriotic, themselves. My stay Poland father fair relatives camps, write will parents didn't they ethnic and religion did. My children a like, but it so horrify make are so Germany, Each way. individuals all age) six
---------From: Maia Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 1999 9:54 AM To: Subscribers of ccbc-net Subject: Re: Autobiography
Thank you, Monica. Reading your post was like a little lift of fresh air for me...
I have a very dear friend whose grandfather was a German nazi, SS. This friend of mine is possibly the "best" person I know, though I doubt she thinks of herself that way. She has a natural kindness and sensitivity and inclusiveness - not in a pat or saccharine sort of way, but genuine. Yet the few times I have heard her speak of her grandfather, there has been guilt and pain in her voice, as if somehow by sharing his blood she has shared his guilt.
As a granddaughter of immigrants, I know well that part of one's inheritance is what pain and confusion remained unresolved in the lives of previous family members. For this friend, I know that she has to find her own way through the guilt and suffering bequeathed to her, both so that she can live her own life more lightly, and so that she will not pass the burden on. And yet, I wonder how welcome her story would be, how well our diverse and inclusive community would empathize with her pain? Or is hers a story that is expected to remain politely unspoken? My roots in psychology warn that a grief repressed, suppressed, unspoken, is the most likely to live again...
I wonder if the children of criminals suffer as dearly as the children of victims? And is theirs a story worth telling? (And are we whole enough to hear it?)
Maia Cheli-Colando
the and I title. without to read again, Anne children. I'm would family patriotic, themselves. My stay Poland father fair relatives camps, write will parents didn't they ethnic and religion did. My children a like, but it so horrify make are so Germany, Each way. individuals all age) six
Received on Tue 06 Apr 1999 10:11:22 AM CDT
