Once, my mother told me that everything in her life had been so easy: she moved from her father’s house into her husband’s house, and she never felt unsatisfied, because she never fought the inertia of her life.
Most people probably react to that statement in the same way I did: You’ve got to be kidding.
It was the summer before I turned twenty-one, and I was a few short months out of a relationship I had expected (unhealthy as it was) to last forever. I was raw, lonely, ungrounded, and all of life felt like a struggle to stay above the current on a river I wasn’t sure was leading anywhere.
Most of us struggle for years, through adolescence and sometimes several versions of adulthood, to find our place in the world. Almost all of us suffer fits of envy and insecurity when friends or family members hit a windfall, reach a milestone, or find success. It’s not that we begrudge them their triumph; it’s just that we question the choices we’ve made, and we wonder if we’re really where we’re supposed to be.
I have those days. And I have the days when all the things I love are also things I feel I need a nice retreat from. And yet, I have to consider myself blessed in that all the things I am—wife, mother, musician and writer—are also what I do. How many people get to spend their days doing exactly what they would do if money was no object?
Occasionally poignant, often hilarious, and at all times chaotic and opinionated, my life is on display here. Come in and enjoy, if you dare!
Background and Philosophy
Why I Write
Contact me at kathleenbasi@gmail.com, or follow me on Twitter! @kathleenmbasi
HI KATHLEEN
I ENJOY YOUR SONG, “I REJOICE”.
BEING THE ADULT CHOIR DIRECTOR, I’M ONLY IN CHARGE OF CHOOSING COMMUNION REFLECTIONS. I’M ALWAYS IN SEARCH FOR NON-WORDY PIECES THAT THE CONGREGATION CAN UNDERSTAND THE CHOIR. I ENJOY THE CATCHY MELODY, AND APPRECIATE THE NON-WORDINESS. PEACE,BO
Thanks, Bo! It’s great to know that my work makes a difference!
-K
Kathleen; How would like to join me on a future KWIX Radio Doctor’s Office Program and discuss your effort to establish a Down’s Syndrome Support Group? The program runs Tuesday mornings from 9:30 until 10, and we can do it on the phone, or in-studio.
Let’s find a date.
Bill Peterson 800-892-2300 (best after 11am)
Kathleen, I completely agree with how Christian writers (and filmakers) need to learn to show not tell their messages. That way we lessen the risk of appearing like hypocrites.
Hi Kathleen! Nice to meet you
Hello there! I just found your blog and wanted to drop in to say Thank You for the wonderful work you are doing. I am a fellow proponent (and happy practitioner) of Natural Family Planning. I am also a St. Louis native (metro east IL actually), so your latest post on your trip to The Hill hit home with me!
Thanks for stopping by, Dustin. I like your website!
The Hill good food everywhere!
When I read what your mother said, I was wondering if she was kidding too.
As thankful as I am to have all that I never knew I wanted, some days…oh, some days!
Thank you for coming by my site to lead me to yours. I’m enjoying having a look around!
Kathleen,
I think this is the first time I have stopped by. Your blog is great and you are a very talented writer!
My favorite aunt is also a mother of 3 (1 w/Down’s Syndrome). My cousin with Down’s Syndrome is now in his 30′s lives in his own apartment with his finance and has a full time job. He also continues to stay active and involved in the Special Olympics.
I look forward to getting to know you better. Feel free to stop by or drop me an email anytime
As a woman who has trouble multi-tasking with the very few tasks entrusted to her, my hat is off to you sister
May God bless all your ventures and your life. In Him,
Eden
Thorns and Myrtles
http://edenellis.wordpress.com
My husband says that research shows multitasking is bogus, that nobody can do it, but I think that’s research done by men.
Multitasking is alive and well.
Hi Kathleen! I’m the “Cracked Slipper” chick over at MissSnarksFirstVictim. I love your blog– you have some great things to say about parenting and writing– two of my favorite topics! I love your positive and open attitude.
Thanks for your support on the secret agent contest. You can check out my website and blog if you are interested to learn more (and read a bit more!). You’ll see we share a partiality to this blog layout
Thanks again! Stephanie
http://www.thecrackedslipper.com
I have enjoyed visiting your blog, Kathleen. I wonder if you have ever come across a Jan Owen poem called “Young Woman Gathering Lemons”. It expresses that internal struggle between the artist and the mother within the woman. She yearns to paint the lemons she is gathering but can’t because she is too busy with her children. As she says, she is ‘a silly old mother.’ I think the poem sums up my artistic sister’s dilemma. Maybe you would relate to the poem too. Me? I am just an amateur writer but even so, I get torn when I have to choose between creating and caring for those I love. Look up the poem if you’re interested! I think Jan is an Australian poet. (one of ours!) Thank you for sharing your feelings. God bless.
I will be featuring your blog on the St Blog’s Directory Twitter & FB feeds on Monday 12/19 at noon.
Congratulations, your blog has been nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award. See my blog post, Three in a Week, at http://jodiq.wordpress.com/2012/01/21/three-in-a-week/ for details and why I think you’re worthy. Proud to be blogging beside you, Jodi Q