Memories – A New Project – You are invited to participate
Punk Rock Mommy Memories…
Not long after Andrea died, I had a dream. I was at a sparely populated party and Andrea appeared in the room. No one else seemed to notice. She came up to me and said that she wanted to say goodbye and to acknowledge how awkward our last interaction was. We talked about how awkward death can be and how no one really knows what to do. She told me that she didn’t have much time, because she needed to get back to her grave before her body started to fall apart. I said that I thought she had been cremated. She told me that she only wanted people to think that because she wanted to avoid a big dramatic episode at the site. I laughed. She gave me a big hug and then she went away.
I often dream of Andrea. I think of her when I am alone printing in the darkroom at three in the morning and other random times. I didn’t know what we were getting into when we first started this project. I thought this was going to be a weird chapter in our lives that we would move on from and think back on. Even now my rib cage feels like it is shrinking.
I am working on a project that started out as a pretty personal project using images and sounds that I gathered over the last two years, a mingling of images, voices and stories. I am realizing that the story is much more than just me, but that it involves an entire community. I would like to incorporate other voices and memories into the project as well.
Here is a link to a rough prototype of the project just to give you an idea: http://punkrockmommy.org/memories/ The reason for all of the layers is that I want to create sense of something that is there, but it is fluid, something you can’t quite grasp. Maybe a piece like this will have value to others – maybe not. Just to explain the interface…you click on the stars to move through the piece…the mouse controls the audio levels (there is sound!) and the star at the top left will make the piece go into fullscreen.
This is where you come in. If you have a story or a memory about Andrea that you would like to share I ask that you find some way to record yourself and turn it into an mp3 file and upload it here: http://punkrockmommy.org/memories/mp3upload.php. It can be funny, serious, sad, educational…whatever. I intend to interweave Andrea’s voice with the voices of those who were affected by her. I only ask that it be shorter than two minutes. There are other details listed on the upload page. I know this requires some technical know how, but I am sure you have a friend that can help you. We could even have an event if this seems exciting to enough people. You can email me or just reply to this post about technical issues. You could even shoot a video and upload to youtube and use this website (http://www.vidtomp3.com/)to turn the audio into an mp3.
Anyway, I’m open to any feedback you may have. I hope that this can be another way of honoring her. Even if you don’t want to record yourself talking feel free to comment on this post and write your memory there. And yes, a book based on the blog may be happen as well, but not just yet…
Peace to you,
Jon (contact@punkrockmommy.org)
February 27th, 2009 at 3:40 pm
This is beautiful, Jon O. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I’ve been thinking of Andrea a lot lately and was not sure why. I just a few days ago brought myself to delete her phone number from my phone, and I hated it. I know I’ll be looking at this often.
February 28th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Jon-
What a beautiful tribute you have in the works-for someone like me, who came from the outside in-it was an opportunity to hear Andrea’s beautiful voice, not the one that came through on the typed words-but her actual voice…it was very moving. I dont know why I am compelled to check the site every once in a while-I guess I still feel some connection or natural motherly curiosity to be sure the kids are ok and Kelly is dealing…Andrea’s last year affected me deeply and I will never be the same for having “known” her. I anxiously await that wonderful book to be published-I know that there are many of us who would be interested in such a lasting piece.
Anyway, you seemed to be a wonderful friend throughout, and still….the piece is lovely and fluid, and to hear her speaking in her own words is magic!
My Blessings continue to flow in all of your direction-I still check in, and will continue to from time to time. God is watching over those kids and many continue to pray for healing and peace for all of you-
Fondly-
Michelle
February 28th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I love this. For a while after Andrea died I would call her phone just to listen to her message. It made me smile. Thank you. ruthie
March 2nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
i think it’s pretty awesome. i want to figure out how to contribute some audio or video.
March 5th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
That video is awesome! Lisa @ Clusterfook.com led me to this page just after Andrea’s passing, Now Lisa has joined Andrea. I’m sure Heaven is alot brighter with those 2 there.
I have a pink & black star in honor of Andrea and going to get a Teal & Black one soon for Lisa.
March 6th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Count me in…….I am presently in Sarasota, FL for the winter but will get back to you with some contribution (perhaps not a video since I am not that technically sophisticated, but something to commemorate Andrea and her brood) will get back to you later in the month. Thanks for the idea.
March 10th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Jon, once again thank you for remembering Andrea in such a powerful way. I apologize for calling you to thank you while crying my eyes out. In some strange way knowing that there are those who still think of her and make sure her memory is not lost helps to fill the void that she left behind in me. I have to thank you for clay as well. You have helped to capture the memories he can hold onto. Sometimes I scroll through the pictures you took with him on my lap saying this was your mommy. She was such a shining star.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Jon
This is truly just another wonderful gift not just to us strangers but to Andrea’s friends and family. I hope this keeps growing & if I am able to get someone to help me with the technical part I will certainly contribute my thought to such an amazing woman & her incredible family.
I know this is a lot to ask, but, could you just let us know how the children & Kelly are doing.
God Bless you all
March 24th, 2009 at 3:07 am
jon…this is amazing. it made me cry at first to hear andrea’s voice again, yet through my tears i was smiling because i forgot how much she made us all laugh, even through cancer. i am going to rally up some of the girls and get some audio for you. i spent most of these past seven months trying to be a good mother figure to clayton, and i would love to share some of the stories i have about andrea trying to teach a crash course on raising a toddler to a chica like me.
thank you for this
March 24th, 2009 at 7:43 am
I still find myself checking this blog everyday, even after Alec’s post. Hearing her voice made me cry. I have never met her yet she sounded exactly as I expected. What a great gift. Thank you for sharing it.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
That is so beautiful. what a great way to keep her memory alive, to have her voice to listen to must be so wonderful for all her family and friends.
April 1st, 2009 at 5:47 am
So lovely to hear her voice….she sounds so young I guess because she was..Those kids had one heck of a mum. Kelly please update us you are still very much on our minds.
Elesha
April 9th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Amazing.
Amazing.
Amazing!!!!
Beautiful tribute.
How many people are on this earth for such a short time yet touch so many people’s lives in so many ways???
April 16th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
thank you so much jon, it’s so good to hear her voice again. I miss it every day.
May 10th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Thinking of you and your family this Mother’s Day. Your grace as a mother and a human being are truly inspirational.
December 24th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
I knew Andrea at PCOM, where we taught childbirth education classes. She called me when her 6th baby was about 3 months old. She had a persistent mastitis…..
I have a slide with her name, death date and a picture of a burning candle in a breastfeeding class that I teach. The slide is about IBC, because everyone needs to know about this dreadful disease. Her name is spoken in the class, and we honor her, even those people that never knew her hear her name.
February 25th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I don’t know you, and I didn’t know Andrea, but I know OF you. A couple months ago I went to get a tattoo, and had a great conversation with Kelly. He told me about this blog. Tonight my dad called to tell me my cousin (37) just found out she has breast cancer. So, finally I checked out the blog. The first thing I read was about your dream. My boyfriend was killed in an accident a couple years ago, he died in my arms. Sad yes but we all have our sadness. Anyway your dream brought me to tears. I had a very similar dream about him like a year after he passed, in which we were at a party with all our friends. He had his guitar (the only thing he really needed), and he was leaving. It was so serene… he told me he wanted to say goodbye, and gave me the biggest hug (as if he were my best friend- not boyfriend or lover). That’s it. The only dream I ever had of him. I hope you are all coping ok, it seems like you have a fantastic support system.