Arena Heidi

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Website Dedication

This website is dedicated to my parents, Stan and Ellie.

We all have inherited ancestral legacies of trauma and abuse to one degree or another. But we also inherit much of positive benefit as well. Sometimes it may be harder to recognize all the good we have received, because those qualities have been more quietly ingrained in us. They don't jump out and clamor for attention, in the way that troublesome traits do.

The unconventional life that I live, looks very different from that of my parents. On the surface we have little in common. It appears as though I walked away from their religion, and all that is personally meaningful to them. However underneath, I am aware that the roots of all that I am, return to them. If I have done anything worthy of credit, then that credit must go back to them as well.

My parents are both good, hard working people. Their ethical values and dedication to love, gave me a foundation from which to form my own values and dedication. They modeled commitment, honesty and integrity. However, they did not expect that I would interpret and live those values in such extreme, non-materially oriented ways. When they nurtured my drive and talents, they had high hopes for me. Perhaps I would be a doctor, or at least someone with high professional standing. But I did care-giving work for low pay instead!

My life path has been quirkier and far more unusual than any of us would have predicted. And although there is much about my life that my parents don't understand or can't relate to, they have always been proud of me. I want to acknowledge and give recognition to them, while they are still alive to receive it, as none of us know how much time we have left. Life is often unexpectedly short.

My father always told me that I should write a book. This website is the closest that I've come to writing one. It's what I have to offer. But hey Dad you never know, maybe a book will follow!