Artichoke Blog

YOU KNOW HOW we meet new people and we make certain assumptions (oh yes, we do) about them based on what we see: their physical appearance (skin and hair color, height, width, heft) their props (dress, accessories, car or companions) speech and mannerisms?

As we do bloggers based on their templates, language, their writings and interactions with their readers and other bloggers.

It is only when we start to unravel their stories and learn about their life experiences that we start to understand more about personality and character.

Peeling off the layers to get to the heart of the person. Or the blog.

I find the artichoke to be a perfect metaphor for a personality or a character.

Cynara scolymus L

You know, I used to think of the onion as a useful image of getting at the deeper understandings of life.

But then, as anyone knows, peeling at the layers of an onion, it's hard to see clearly with tears in your eyes.

The artichoke has a tender succulent spot on each "petal" as well as a thorn on the tip.

How like life.

Life is a delicate mix of pain and pleasure, challenge and support, chaos and order, loss and gain. The balance of life.

And life’s journey: after years of peeling back thorny leaves, you hopefully, finally get to the heart (meaning) of your artichoke life.

As in life’s struggles, the bitter leaves and "choke" has to be discarded before you can taste and savor the delicious core.

The tough leaves are like the challenges we face in advocating for a child by navigating the complex system of doctors, therapists and the school system. With persistence, we often get to the heart, an accurate diagnosis and the support and guidance the child needs.

And, not least, as in our lover/s and loved ones :) There are confusing and challenging behaviors, but if you peel away some of those layers you can get to the really rich and tender heart.

Tough artichoke leaves
Hiding a tender heart.
In his bed, the same.

Oh yeah, this entry is for Lilian, 5xmom. The artichoke is a western equivalent of her 'liulian' life, if you will. ;P Apt?

p/s: I'm not trying to cheat. Swear! Cross my artichoke!... Heheh! :D