So Proud of my Jori

 So proud of Jori for appearing on TV with her school mates for the Academic Challenge, and for winning a college scholarship.

 

Luckiest Mother in the World: Mother's Day

 

Got back from work on Mother's Day to find that Jori had cleaned the whole apartment, bought me these stunning roses, and a box of oat bars insead of chocolates because I told her I'm reducing my sugar intake!

I feel like the luckiest mother in the world!

So Much To Be Thankful For

 

I'm thankful that my art exhibition at Negative Space that took place between 1/28/23 - 3/20/23 was highly successful and I managed to sell 19 paintings.

I'm thankful that Jori got accepted in her first choice college, a prestigious and a highly sought after University.

I'm thankful that I won an art grant through SPACES, a wonderful Cleveland based Art organization that champions women artists, this grant is going to fund my art project "Look Closer!" which I will be exhibiting in November 2023.

And I'm thankful and very excited about my upcoming art show at Waterloo Art Galleries titled "Windows" which is taking place between 4/22/23 - 5/20/23.

I also have an upcoming poetry show in June!

So much to be thankful for and excited about.

Jori's Birthday!

Why Oh Why Did I Stop Blogging!?

Work swallows all my time.. 

It was Jori's 17th birthday yesterday 12/19 we had a wonderful day, went out for a nice meal, she was happy with her birthday gift, a MacBook Pro.

Last May I bought her a car, and last October on my birthday we moved into our new apartment - I bought this apartment and we're happy and comfortable in out new home.

Jori is applying for colleges, she's graduating this summer, it's all very exciting and heartbreaking, I want her to have her independence - of course - I want her to have all the things I never had when I was her age - Freedom. But I don't know how to live without her.

It was snowy in Ohio yesterday, a day similar to the day on which Jori was born in England seventeen years ago; white and frozen, everything slow and immovable, and yet full of warmth and cheer as people ready themselves for Christmas: the lights, the colors, the gifts, and the smell of cinnamon and white chocolate mingled with laughter, and that general goodness I noticed Christmas brings out in everyone.

I'm painting a lot and I'm looking forward to my solo exhibition at Negative Space this January. 

I will try to blog more often.

                                                                              

Squire's Castle - Willoughby Hills

 

Had the most wonderful time painting Squire's Castle in Willoughby Hills - Ohio

Check out more of my art at:  https://fatimaalmatar.com/

Belated Mother's Day!

America celebrates Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May. This year, Mother's Day was on May 8th. I should've posted then, but work got in the way! I hired a photographer to take photos of me and Jori for Mother's Day, we went to Wade Oval, my favorite park. It's tradition for Jori and me to get our photo taken on mother's day every year. I hope we keep the tradition going.

 

Here is Someone

My daughter Jori is sixteen years old today. 

You can listen to my poem "Here is Someone" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBLIOUvnOjA

Here is someone

When you were born sixteen years ago, whole, healthy, with ten little finger and ten little toes. I thought this is enough.

When your frail little body fought colds, teething fevers, ear infections, and chickenpox, and you and I made it through so many long sleepless nights. I thought this is enough.

When you sat up, then you crawled, then you walked, then you ran, then you skipped, I thought this is enough.

Then you spoke, your voice so foreign, so familiar, so startling. I thought this is enough.

Then your teachers told me how intelligent you are, and I thought this is enough.

Then you rode a bike, and learned to swim, and beat me at monopoly and chess, and I thought this is enough.

Finding nothing to rebel against you rebel against your coat, because who needs shit like warmth and comfort.

We stand in the middle of a store whisper shouting as I persuade you to wear a dress for a photo I want us to take for mother’s day:

“No!” you stomp your foot

“Please” I plead.

“No!”

“Just this once”

“No!”

“Just for the photo”

“I’m not wearing a dress”

“Please Jori, do it for me? Just until the photo is taken, you can change immediately after that!”

“Why would you want me to wear a dress when it would only make me miserable?” You say.

We take the photo, you’re in jeans, and I think this is enough.

Now you’re sixteen, you cut your hair short like a boy’s, you like baggy sweatpants, oversized hoodies, and you live in your Skate High Vans. You’re confident and in control when you fasten your seat belt and start the ignition, you look both ways, you reverse, you steer the car forward, you know where you’re going, you’re careful, you’re alert. For the first time since you were born I’m in the passenger seat. We get hot caramel lattes together, we talk about our favorite books, we laugh, we sing along our favorite songs, well I sing and your roll your eyes, and I think this is enough.

I remember reading somewhere: “life is hard, here is someone.”

Here is someone.