37 Comments
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David P. Smith's avatar

There's a chance that I may be even more excited than you to see this project gaining traction. You go girl!

Kelcey Ervick's avatar

Aww love this support!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thanks Smitty! I'll try not to buckle under the intense pressure 👀

Amanda C. Sandos's avatar

I’m so happy you found your mojo again. This is going to be spectacular I love the paintings of your mom. She was very beautiful. Thanks for sharing these images of her.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you so much Amanda! I appreciate your support 🤩

Amanda C. Sandos's avatar

It’s well deserved. Have a great holiday season!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

The same to you, Amanda! And thank you, you are too kind 🙏🏻

Kristine's avatar

Well…damnation…this brought me to my knees. Thanks BA…you are a tremendous force of nature and I hope you realize what a gift YOU are. Your words got past all my defences.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Oh man, thank you Kristine. YOUR words mean a lot to read!

Chloe Lampman's avatar

I LIKE THIS - in real life and with the tiny heart I clicked!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thanks Dot 😘

Pamela Barclay's avatar

Isn’t it wild that one little thing can wake up a dormant project? And did we have the same mother? 😂

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Haha---were we separated at birth? Thanks Pamela!

Rebecca's avatar

So happy to hear that the inspiration has returned, you really deserve all good things! And maybe one of these too 🖕😘

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Oh man, thank you Bex! It's not every day someone gives me the finger 😭🥹

Katy Hutchison's avatar

Just getting through that post where the photos punctuated your gifted writing was intense in the best of ways. I cannot wait to come along on this train. Buckling my heart in for the ride.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you Katy! ❤️😘

Nadine3892's avatar

Wow B.A., these reminiscences are relatable (I have an ambivalent relationship with my parents and, of late, am reflective) and so powerful, and your paintings of your mother are arresting/gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. Look forward to more memoir writings from you.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you very much, Nadine.

HERMIONE JJ's avatar

I can not wait for the finished product (no pressure, lol) but am loving following along as you explore and reminisce. Thanks for taking me with you.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thanks so much, Hermione xo

Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

I love your family photographs. Reading this was a heartbreaking treat--as a child we sense (I think) that not all grown-ups are quite mature, and yet we don't have the words for that at all. I found that to be a very confusing experience.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Absolutely. I was just talking with a friend last night about being a kid and feeling the discrepancy between what adults were saying and what they were actually doing or the energy they were transmitting. I remember being a teenager and thinking about my Mom "Huh. She's actually the teenager, and I'm the adult". Thanks Isabel XO

Isabel Cowles Murphy's avatar

When I had that realization it made me mad/ judgmental. Good for you for being so sanguine!!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Oh, don't think I wasn't judging! Or hurting! Years and years of counseling later... I can be sanguine 😅

Jacquie Lynn's avatar

The sharing of you with your mom looking at your (baby) mosaic floor 😭 killing me

Thank you for being a person who follows what’s interesting through the fog ✨🙌

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you for reading, Jacquie Lynn, and thank you for your nice words!

Pat Coakley's avatar

I too was inspired by Kelcey’s post but am just wandering around bumping into furniture! True to Randell Jarrell’s comments on how writing to him “was like playing pin the tail on the donkey except you have no pin and you have no donkey. You just have the blindfold.” I think you may be peeking through the blindfold, though, at a wonderful project and I LoVE your paintings of your Mother and that marvelous photo of the two them where she is either canoodling or consoling him. Light is shining in for sure! Good luck!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you so much---I appreciate it! As for that photo, my impression has always been that they were both drunker than skunks, and who knows what the hell she might have been saying to him. We'll never know!

Kelsey Andrews's avatar

It’s wonderful to hear you’ve found a new way in to the memoir again!! Wonderful pictures and paintings. Isn’t it exciting when you get re-inspired?

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you so much, Kelsey. Yes it is!

Megan Adam's avatar

I'm so excited for you! There is nothing like a big surge of creative energy to re-set purpose and get one on track again. Yay!

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you so much, Megan. A part of me is afraid to believe it of course---there have been so many false starts in the last three years. But I've been taking my temperature every day (mentally/emotionally speaking), and so far, so good! Obsession still pulsating loud and clear! 🤓👹

Denise Blackwell's avatar

I love this BA! You are amazing. I can’t wait for the next installment. ❤️

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thanks Denise xo

Kelcey Ervick's avatar

I’m so excited for you and this story! I can feel the energy and emotions.

B.A. Lampman's avatar

Thank you Kelcey! And thank you for the inspiration and the synaptic flash 💥👀