Tags
4 Generations of Women, children, daughters, Diana Schwenk, family, growing up, Hump Day Chronicles, life, memories, Michaela, Mothers, Relationships
~ MICHAELA DESIREE ~
Michaela: a feminine form of the Hebrew name Michael (מִיכָאֵל), which means “Who is like God?”
Desiree: It is an anglicization of the French name Désirée meaning desired.
Michaela was born at 5:55PM on a snowy winter’s day in November of 1993. Blue in the face, she was rushed to ICU and spent several hours there until her oxygen levels were normal. At the same time her mother was rushed to the OR. The placenta had torn and she was hemorrhaging.
The next morning, a nurse entered the mother’s room with the baby, when her mother spoke Michaela’s head turned in her direction. They say a developing baby hears its mother’s voice in the 5th month of pregnancy. Michaela knew her mama’s voice!
Michaela talked and walked at a very early age. Always asking questions: Why is the sky blue? Why do people do the things they do? Why? Why? Why? For this reason, her mother sent her to Kindergarten at age 4.
Michaela, from the beginning was sensitive, easily hurt by another’s opinion. Once she said through sobbing tears, “I wish I was as strong as you, I wish I didn’t care so much!” Her mother assured her of her strength and explained that the gift of her sensitivity would ensure that she would always treat others with kindness. For example, once when a girl at daycare was picking on a boy of mixed race, Michaela defended him with great courage and conviction.
Michaela was in grade 6, the first time she ran away from home. She filled her backpack with canned items like beans and other things she hated, took most of the loonies from her mother’s laundry money jar, and left before her mother got home from work. She walked and walked to ‘she hadn’t planned where’ and knocked on doors offering to work for pay.
Michaela longed for ‘normal family’ life. Due partly to circumstances in her mother’s life, her own life at school and with friends, and a deep longing to get to know her Dad, Michaela moved in with her Dad in the middle of grade 8.
For the most part, having pets, two adults in a home, siblings, friends, living in the country suited Michaela’s need to belong. Even here, however, there were struggles, hurt feelings, and disillusionments.
Over a period of two years, she would run away twice. Michaela became independent at a very young age, having learned to sooth herself and count on herself to do what is right for her. In spite of a turbulent couple of years in her teens that resulted in having to repeat the last year of high school to graduate, Michaela seems to have found her place in yet another town with a wonderful boyfriend. One day, she will be an amazing Mom.
Michaela holds her cards close to her chest. She rarely shares her troubles until they are long-lost in the past. Her anger, when it flares, is a manifestation of being hurt or sad. She treats others with kindness and perhaps gets a little too much into their business at times, maybe because she wants so desperately to spare others from pain.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Related post: Our Families and Why We Are the Way We Are
utesmile said:
What a lovely photo of you and Michaela, Lovely story you share. My son was born 93 too, seems like long ago yet still like yesterday. Now they are adults and shape their own lives. (Well mine still lives at home.) 🙂
It is lovely to hear your story!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Ute. Time does go fast, doesn’t it? We have a commercial here that suggests if your children don’t move out you should stop cooking with cheese! 😉
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utesmile said:
That’s funny, mine love maccaroni cheese…. well I can always kick them out… no I wouldn’t do that. 🙂 They are so easy going and no trouble at all. 🙂
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Professions for PEACE said:
Such a beautiful share Diana. I adore this project you’ve embarked upon, and I find it very inspiring – to document the stories of our family, particularly the women. I love it. Thank you for sharing. xo Gina
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Gina! My story is next on Wednesday.
Diana xo
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this is lemonade said:
Beautiful! I don’t have anything to add to all the compliments. Just so heart-warming. And what a sweet sweet photo at the top! ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Would you believe I was grumpy that day? That top was itchy and it was hot there. A colleague’s husband graciously took that photo and 2 more rolls of film in a 2-hour span!
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Love & War said:
We’re writing about our mothers—aka the other angle. Sometimes we see how the dots connect and other times we’re not sure how we could have the same last name. But your story is barely out of the gate…which is why we’re “following” yours too. Thanks.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well thank you very much!! I just hopped over to your blog and am now following you as well!
Cheers,
Diana xo
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Love & War said:
You are too kind. Wonder if our stories will intersect in some way with yours. I shoulda known geometry was gonna matter…
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dianasschwenk said:
haha well if chimps share 99% of DNA with humans, you gotta figure that the human story will have way more in common than NOT…
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Jean said:
A lovely memoir photo that you clearly treasure. May you and your daughter be best of friends over time.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Jean!
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Sheryl said:
I agree with Jean. The picture of the two of you is priceless. The relationship between mothers and daughters is constantly evolving as we go through the various stages of our lives–but each stage can add wonderful richness and depth to the relationship.
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dianasschwenk said:
I couldn’t have said it better if I tried Sheryl!
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
A very touching and personal story, Diana. Our kids are so precious…it’s hard watching them struggle sometimes isn’t it?
But love always wins out in the end!! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Denise. You hope they have what they need to get by. I’ve always thought the greatest gift a parent can give their child is independence and self-sufficiency!
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gilvania gil said:
Follow you diana, follow me?
I’m from Brazil, I loved your blog ❤
http://gilvaniagil.com/
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dianasschwenk said:
Gracias Gilvania!
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gilvania gil said:
diana welcome
fan page: https://www.facebook.com/gilvaniagyl
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sedge808 said:
so powerful.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Gavin!
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bulldog said:
What a wonderful photo… showing an awful lot of love… what a story, is there to be more… if so I can’t wait…
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks bulldog! 3 more posts about me, my mom, and then my grandmother.
Diana xo
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artsifrtsy said:
Beautiful, I’m looking forward to the rest of the series. It’s brave to be so transparent. She’s lucky to have you for a mom.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Lorri! Believe me there are things I won’t be sharing. 🙂
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joannerambling said:
What a great story thank you for sharing it with the rest of us
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Joanne and you’re welcome!
Diana xo
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When in New Places said:
So beautiful, Diana, just beautifully written, intuitive and straight from the heart.
You have a gift with words, a true gift. I feel like I know Michaela now, what a beautiful soul.
I’m looking forward to the next installment.
~Andrea<3
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow – thank you Andrea! And you would love her, she’s an amazing person.
Diana xo
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Wyrd Smythe said:
“Her anger, when it flares, is a manifestation of being hurt…”
Oh, I can so totally relate to that! Likewise, big time!! In fact, I can relate to a lot of her story!
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dianasschwenk said:
Wow. Really? That’s kinda neat to know about you Smitty!
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
What a beautiful story and lovely photo.
It must have been heart-breaking for you to have her move to her father’s for those two years.
Yet I can feel that you have a very close bond between you today.
Well done, you deserve to be proud of your beautiful daughter.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Elizabeth. Yes. When she first left I could hardly breathe! Yet, at the time, I felt it was the best thing due to certain circumstances. I agree. I believe we have a good bond now and I love my adult child very much!
Diana xo
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elizabeth2560 said:
🙂
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Rose Hall Media Company said:
Sometimes going through fire enables us to help others–to reach out in compassion and understanding–when they’re in pain. Sometimes our own pain turns us inward, makes us mean. We’re so glad you’re an example of those who grow through it. We need all the people we an find, who are capable and courageous enough to touch and encourage others with their words.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Rose (I’m not sure what to call you) Stories are the best way, I think, to teach us about understanding and the important lessons we learn from them are not easily taught any other way.
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
Wonderful story and strong, beautiful daughter. You’re lucky she allowed you to write about her.
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Lisa. She is strongest in her gentleness. I know, right? I sent her the post before I hit publish, I will do the same with my mom.
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
A beautiful, heart-touching story. I wish for your daughter a life where her sensitivity is a positive thing. Thanks so much for sharing, Diana, it makes me feel closer to you. x
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Jennifer. Michaela is stronger than she knows and I am so proud of her!
Diana xo
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I am sure you are. Now I’m looking forward to your next post in the series. 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
The next post is about yours truly!
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Jennifer's Journal said:
I know!
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Louise Gallagher said:
Oh Diana! What a beautiful story of a beautiful young woman and her amazing mother. Wow! Love it. You make my heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
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dianasschwenk said:
(smiling) Thank you so much Louise. Your relationships with your daughters is also quite remarkable!
Diana xo
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Stephanie Barrett said:
Thank you for sharing Diana! I didn’t know that while you worked so hard to support others in need you were struggling so hard in your own life. The more I learn about you, the more I feel we are very much alike! And for that I love you more and am happy to call you my friend ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Steph! and Happy Birthday! It is today, isn’t it?
Diana xo
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Stephanie Barrett said:
Yes thank you!
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dianasschwenk said:
You’re welcome! 😉
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emma4rose said:
What a wonderful story!
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dianasschwenk said:
Thank you Emma!
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emma4rose said:
You’re welcome! Actually it’s Celien, Emma is my second name … Emma-Rose (my blog name) is just my favorite name and maybe I’ll call my daughter Emma-Rose 😉
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dianasschwenk said:
Celien is a beautiful name! Is it French?
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emma4rose said:
Yes it’s a french name but it’s written in the ‘dutch’ way .. I’m from Belgium.
Thank you!
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dianasschwenk said:
Ahhh the country that makes the best chocolate in the world!
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