Editor/Photographer's note: This is part of a series of portraits of local woman who are tackling the notion of what is their inner superhero. This is meant to be fun, but also a meaningful glimpse into our lives and in this case the lives of ordinary woman leading truly extraordinary lives in just being who they are and doing what they do. This is just the beginning. There will be more as this project grows.
"I come from good stock. My pedigree is not of royalty, but of good souls. I have always been able to wear my ancestors with honor, like a cape that flows behind me. They were, and are still, long-living survivors." began Paula Lynch as she somewhat reluctantly began to write about her inner super-hero in this group project that began over a simple Facebook post over a month ago. See the first post here http://richardsayer.weebly.com/blog/what-is-your-inner-super-hero to get more of the back story.
Lynch continues that despite her families longevity life is life.
"Although, death has played a large part in my life… I have lost my father and a husband. For me, true strength can be found in someone holding a dying loved one’s hand.
I have had moments of this in my life and it has made me vulnerable. Vulnerable to a country song, a Hallmark commercial, a Lifetime movie or something even more moving...another person’s pain.
When I was asked to become a super hero for this project, the day was a good one… I was strong and secure and I said “Heck, yes… let’s do this.”
Then the real world sank in.
What right do I have to call myself a superhero? Who am I anyway? Why would I venture to put myself in that awe-inspiring light?
My other superhero friends came to my rescue - they told me to be sure of myself, that I had done so much to help others.
I feel that being a coffee-drinking, non-stop mother of four is my greatest fete.
Then my friends urging me to do this asked what my inner strength was.
My strength is also my kryptonite. The same things that work for me work against me.
My major strengths are weakness, vulnerability and imperfection. I hate perfection, and have directly worked against it and the rigidness of structure in my life. I am best at whimsy, humanity and being flawed.
I have no desire to have just a polite conversation with another. I want to see below the surface of a person, know how they live and what makes them cry. What wonderful and what horrible things have they lived through?
My vulnerability and ability to tear myself down and reveal my thoughts is what people use against me, and yet every day they save me. Every day I feel destroyed by the drain of laundry, cleaning, errand running and supporting my family and friends.
I am told that I do not like to ask for help. Recently, that is all I have done.
I bend between needing no one and needing everyone. I am too complex to follow…too much to take.
I would like to be able to use my strength of vulnerability to help others at their moment of need. I would like my weakness to be someone else’s strength.
My humor, my smile and my tears are set, ready to begin my next great venture… Hospice. Volunteering for families when they most need support…that is where I shall wear my cape.
Yes, weakness is what I am drawn to; who would I be without the swirl of emotions and the need to connect and empathize with others?
I am Paula Jo,….Peaches…. Mommy…and … Wonder Woman."
Lynch continues that despite her families longevity life is life.
"Although, death has played a large part in my life… I have lost my father and a husband. For me, true strength can be found in someone holding a dying loved one’s hand.
I have had moments of this in my life and it has made me vulnerable. Vulnerable to a country song, a Hallmark commercial, a Lifetime movie or something even more moving...another person’s pain.
When I was asked to become a super hero for this project, the day was a good one… I was strong and secure and I said “Heck, yes… let’s do this.”
Then the real world sank in.
What right do I have to call myself a superhero? Who am I anyway? Why would I venture to put myself in that awe-inspiring light?
My other superhero friends came to my rescue - they told me to be sure of myself, that I had done so much to help others.
I feel that being a coffee-drinking, non-stop mother of four is my greatest fete.
Then my friends urging me to do this asked what my inner strength was.
My strength is also my kryptonite. The same things that work for me work against me.
My major strengths are weakness, vulnerability and imperfection. I hate perfection, and have directly worked against it and the rigidness of structure in my life. I am best at whimsy, humanity and being flawed.
I have no desire to have just a polite conversation with another. I want to see below the surface of a person, know how they live and what makes them cry. What wonderful and what horrible things have they lived through?
My vulnerability and ability to tear myself down and reveal my thoughts is what people use against me, and yet every day they save me. Every day I feel destroyed by the drain of laundry, cleaning, errand running and supporting my family and friends.
I am told that I do not like to ask for help. Recently, that is all I have done.
I bend between needing no one and needing everyone. I am too complex to follow…too much to take.
I would like to be able to use my strength of vulnerability to help others at their moment of need. I would like my weakness to be someone else’s strength.
My humor, my smile and my tears are set, ready to begin my next great venture… Hospice. Volunteering for families when they most need support…that is where I shall wear my cape.
Yes, weakness is what I am drawn to; who would I be without the swirl of emotions and the need to connect and empathize with others?
I am Paula Jo,….Peaches…. Mommy…and … Wonder Woman."