Ursuline Academy Residency Process Images

 

The residency began with a visit to Chatfield College in Brown County, Ohio.
Senior Ursuline sisters shared their thoughts and the images of their hands holding nests and eggs.

Somewhere there is an end.
Finding it is the challenge.
Life is a challenge.

Where and when will it end?

Life is a mystery brought together in an interesting pattern or puzzle.

Cracks, in the shells and in our lives, in our relationships -

cracks between the ideals and the reality of our living.

Cracks that bridge and support the growth of life

– cracks aren't breaks -

just interesting lines and crevices in our shells,

the shells of our lives and loves.

The weight and coldness of the marble eggs in my hands

are such a contrast to the fragility and warmth of the goose egg shell.

Yet the longer I held the marble eggs the warmer they became.

And so it is with my life.

When life seems heavy and cold, without feeling,

the care and concern of others helps to lift the burden and warm my cold heart.

Some creature, probably a wasp,

carefully gathered the materials to construct a home, a living place.

So simple, yet beautiful in color and shape- delicate yet sturdy.

I feel a kinship with this wasp because my living space is important to me as well.

The shapes and colors of where I live and work have an effect on my state of mind.

During the residency Ursuline students responded to the title “Once I built My Nest Of…”

through writing and by making nests using their hands as the supporting structure.

Once I built my nest of

Sheltering innocence, helpful guides,

hoping to grow really tall,

endless possibilities,

smiles under the bed,

my hope of flying and

learning to forgive.

Then I built my nest of

awkward situations,

shy glances, annoyance,

reaching for the stars,

canyons full of air,

my sister's friendship,

friendly jokes and

drowsy eyelids at church.

Now my nest is made of

Bright orange skies,

a sculptor's hand forming clay,

random laughter over nothing,

shadows, unexpected compliments, second thoughts:

fate or choice?, love or lust?,

and regrets that came too late.

Once I built my nest of

Floaties, books all over the floor,

orange cream push

pops from the ice cream truck

and orange cream push

pops from the

ice cream truck

fancy white dresses and frog legs

knotted grass blades

and a soaring tree swing

purple dinosaurs and pogo sticks

Hide and seek and dirty paw prints

Cinnamon Life cereal and pointless car rides

Lies and gossip filled drama

Once I built my nest of

Tire swings,

mud and baby shampoo

Of wooden spoons,

granola bars and

all three comforters on my bed

Once I built my nest of

black dancing shoes

squeezing my feet and

Nancy Drew's red flipped hair

Once it was made of

trampoline jumping in the backyard

Sometimes made of Koolaid,

shell collecting and untucked shirts.

Once I built my nest of

peanuts with the fudge

picked off

And the torn plastic tips of shoelaces

Once I built my nest of

Blackhawk wings flying

through the sky

Once I built my nest of grandma's cancer,

Helping my mom with

dinner

and lullabies

Reminders from my twin brother to laugh

once in a while and

Insults that mean

“I love you”

Once I built my nest of

curly blonde hair, dog slobber and

bright Friday night lights.

Once I built my nest of basketball games,

A coach who wants you to do

your best with all your heart

and a sport that requires focus and skill

Once I built my nest of

things that disappeared:

Abandoned diary pages,

the smell of oatmeal on Sunday mornings,

a friend who can make anything fun,

and two dimples deeper than the hole she put in my wall.

Then I built my nest of

The pain of moving away,

lanyards and Popsicle stick people

for a long distance relationship.

Once I built my nest of me, myself and I.

Once I built my nest of

chasing ducks,

trapping daddy long legs,

dancing in the rain and breaking the rules

Once I built my nest of

anticipating what is soon to be.

Once I built my nest of a full house,

my brother's dumb comments and

my sister's angry eyebrow face

Once I built my nest of

what Beth did, curing cancer

and celebrating birthdays.

Once I built my nest of

homework, microwaving plastic

and the mystery of Atlantis

Once I built my nest of

wondering about the cause

of autism and thoughts

about the afterlife.

Once I built my nest

following the path you

walked on first, feeling a

sense of security and rebellion

Once I built my nest of the

rays of golden sun that

you watched set in the

vibrant orange

pink sky

Once I built my nest of your feet sinking into

muddy sand.

Once I built my nest of

Christmas lights shining

on freshly fallen snow

Once I built my nest of

the crisp blue sky you saw as we

went down the slope, feeling

blistering cold and tranquility

Once I built my nest of breathtaking white

sand and white water

Once I built my nest of sand from

the sandbar on which you lay, a

shallow bed of damp sediment

supporting your body, surrounded

by vast depths of turquoise water.

Once I built my nest of the

long blades of grass that you

navigated with me

Once I built my nest of the

movement of clouds

Once I built my nest of the

peacefulness of the late

night wind whirling

around us

Once I built my nest of

feelings of curiosity about

an unexplored creek

teeming with life

Once I built my nest of hidden treasure

only you know about

Once I built my nest of rugged stone steps that

you walked before me.

Once I built my nest of warm

sunlight soaking your skin

Once I built my nest of

colorful sunsets that you

would wait for every clear

evening

Once I built my nest of icy water splashing

your feet

Once I built my nest of the foggy stars

that made me miss you