me as...{self portrait challenge}
Me as a happy apple.
Yes.
A happy apple.
Earlier this year, self portrait tuesday's challenge was "all of me," and in one post that month, I shared that my left eye has Duanes Retraction Syndrome. I also shared that my parents taught me to turn my head using a fisher price red apple. I haven't really spoken much about my eye over the years, but writing this and sharing my story here has invited me to think about it a bit more. And to think about the red apple and how it may have saved me in some ways.
On Saturday, Jon and I spent the day with Lynn and her husband. That evening, we had dinner at their home. And when I walked in to Lynn's kitchen, what did I spy?
I spied the red apple. The Happy Apple.
Serendipity.
It seems that Lynn bought the Happy Apple when she worked in an antique store. And it decorates her kitchen now.
So she let me borrow it for a bit, to rekindle my relationship with it. When you pick it up, it makes a delightful sound, kind of like chimes, kind of like a music box. I had forgotten this. But as I have listened over these last few days, my memories have begun to twirl around in my head. And I have created the Happy Apple Dance. A little yoga meets belly dancing meets ballet.
I love the way your life can go in a certain direction sometimes, and then one little shift in the path intersects your journey with someone else's. It is pure delight.
self-portrait
Reader Comments (29)
Liz, I have to say that everytime you post a new picture of yourself all I can think is, she is sooo cute. Your smile makes me happy.
serendipity indeed. I love the way life throws us little reminders, and the huge significances of such 'little' things.
Such an open, beautiful photo. (and such an beautiful smile)
What a beautiful apple! And that chimey red thing you are holding is cute too.
I love that you are revisiting....and my dancing queen.....making a dance! I hope to be able to see this dance someday:)
Loving you
I love this story. How amazing that the apple is the same ~ I love how life is like this.
What fun! I love the picture and the simple joy of the apple. Wow, I wish I could see the Happy Apple Dance. You'll have to expand into video next :)
Who the heck would've bet on Lynn owning a Happy Apple! Wow, that's wild and cool.
Love the photo. The bracelet you're wearing in it is really pretty.
I had a happy apple when I was a little one too. I remember the sound very well! Yoga + belly dancing + ballet...sounds awesome!
Beautiful picture!!!
You and that apple sure can smile too! Happy picture, happy post. Really enjoyed reading your story.
You are so creative :) Thank you for sharing this little bit of yourself. You look so happy in this pic :)
Yay! You and Happy Apple look so happy together. I almost hate to separate the two of you when I take her back. (Don't worry. I won't do it anytime soon.)
And you did not create the Happy Apple Dance. Perhaps you modified it, or maybe you created an entirely new dance. But I created the very first-ever Happy Apple Dance. ;)
(Did you wash her? She looks so clean and shiny!)
How sweet that Lynn gave up her happy apple, so that you could dance with the happy apple...
I think I like saying "happy apple" it sings all on it's own :)
You look soooo cute in this picture. I'll never see a red apple again without thinking about this happy story.
((hugs)) dar oo
OMG you actually look LIKE the happy apple! You are adorable!!! I also will always see you when I see the Happy Apple! LOL
Precious. Positively precious! And you DO look like that happy apple. I used to love the little tinkling chime sound those apples made.
Great job!
Aren't reunions Happy? I'd like to seeeeeee the Happy Apple dance too! hehe
oh this is just the *cutest* thing - your beautiful face shines out to me in this picture - so sunny, and vibrant, and in tune with yourself. i love this. i want to see the Happy Apple Dance! maybe one day.... okay, i'm going to print out this pic and stick you on my fridge ;-) love to you x
I used to have one of those! I do remember the chimes! Wow, way flashback... thank you.
P.S. Great picture, too!
ok...i LOVE the apple.
he looks so....happy...
heehee
:)
and what a coincidence
that someone comes into
your life
and has that...
isn't that funny?
:)
Love the photo of you and the Happy Apple! very creative and clever.
I think sounds, scents, a picture they can bring back memories we didn't even know we had. That happened to me the other day and I find it so interesting that there is so much more to us (humans) than we know about in our conscious mind.
Have fun wilth the apple!
I love your apple! I love the bright beauty of your face and smile as well. Such serendipity is healing and fun. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Hey--you look cute with the Happy Apple!
:)
very sweet and oh so red! love the apple and your apple red shirt and smile!
i remember those happy apples!
What a beautiful smile and happy apple. Great story :)
Love this post AND photo! (in fact, do make me a copy so I can add you to my bookshelf in a little frame!) I don't think I have ever aimed to be as happy as an apple before. I like it. I think I somehow remember those apples- were they from the 70s? or am I having a false memory!?!