Relationship Reflection

There are many relationships in my life that are currently very important to me. For example, my family of course play a huge part in my success and how I see myself as a person in all that I do. My son (age 17.8) is my sole reason for everything I did in the past 17 years. I moved near my mother so she could help me raise him. I stayed in college in order to advance my studies and find better-paying jobs. I remained single and did not have romantic relationships so he did not have to compete for my attention and/or affection.

my son and my mom

my brother, my son, my nephew

My younger brother has been there for my son as a great male role model. My older sister and her animals (her cat, dog and rabbit) have been a source of the much-needed humor and comfort in our lives. Growing up my brother and sister and I were not very good at getting along. We grew up in a abusive, alcoholic home where we were always fighting with each other, blaming one another, and generally all-together unhappy. Now that we all live apart and have our own adult relationships with our own respective families, we get along much much better.

two of my co-workers with their students

My working relationships with my co-workers and bosses are crucial to how I make a living. I have learned how to properly speak to others, handle stressful situations, and how to collaborate from my years and years of working the early childhood field. A few of them are new to the field so I help them learn and I like that. We get along well and know how to disagree and respect one another. We know we are all there for the children and that none of us is better than the other.

I also have some great friends who have been more like family to my son and I over the years. My dear friend Linda and her family came into our lives when her son joined my preschool class when my son was also in preschool. We have been friends ever since and our boys just graduated high school together this past June 13. They have helped us through some very desperate times. Fed us when we had no food, helped us pay bills when we had no money, even helped us move the many times we've had to move over the years.

model MelodyeJoy is a good friend

I have some great connections with the clients I photograph. Many are now dear friends and help me with my business by getting me new clients and gigs.

For the most part, it's easier now to maintain and nurture these relationships. In the beginning I was very closed-off and non-trusting. I wanted no help. I wanted to be independent and self-sufficient. Then I learned that I shouldn't be ashamed to ask for help and to share my emotions with others. I had kept myself closed from romantic relationships, I forgotten how to let others love me. When i finally let my guard down and let people take care of me, I began to see how much love I truly had and I was better able to function. I was better able to think clearly and from a better place instead of an angry and bitter place where I had been coming from.

I can now see how all of these relationships form a sort of experiential landscape from which I can draw inspiration while teaching in the field and getting my Master's in the field. I learn something from everyone I know. I learn about different family dynamics, different types of learning styles, and different coping skills that help me in my early childhood career and education.