Longevity logo

Imagination Creates Reality

In Memory of My Dad... In His Shadow

By Shuffler 88Published 5 years ago 3 min read
I drew this, thinking of my dad, listening to his favorite country singer Kasey Chambers, RIP 2014... I named it 'IN HIS SHADOW'

Getting some time alone isn't easy, with five children. Yet I can always find a way to create an alternate reality. Not a physical one, but one where there is nothing bad, there is no hatred, no pain, no sadness. There is only freedom, creativity and a place to just "get away". Always I have music playing because no matter what bad, or sad mood I am in, music can always bring me back, it can also take me away. Music is life, and life has ups and downs, but music is the key to your soul. Always have music in your life, it will carry you, when you feel as though you cannot go on...

Growing up I never really felt I had any talent, I wasn't really into creative arts, designing, or really anything that can be peaceful. I dabbled with painting, but not being able to access the proper utensils made it a tad difficult.

I have always had a wild imagination, sometimes thinking I am not of this world, I knew I was different. I have never followed others, I've always created my own way, as my father used to say "always going against the grain". I've always been me, stranger than everyone else, outgoing and more often than not, looking outrageously crazy. But I love who I am, I am different and unlike anyone else. My power is, no one can be me, and that's what makes all individuals special.

My eldest son, at the age of two, wanted me to draw him a car, but it had to be a race car with big wheels and the number five on the side. I honestly thought I'm great with drawing stick figures, how can I draw a stick figure car? I looked up at one of the three bookshelves I had in my lounge. This one didn't have a single book on it, no, it was full of hot wheels cars, my son's father had kept his entire collection growing up and always found new hot wheels cars to purchase.

Going off my favorite car, at the front line on the third shelf. The 1967 GT-500 Shelby Mustang, looks race car worthy. I attempted to draw my son the race car he wanted. After ten minutes, an impatient 2 year old and a worried mother, there was a race car my son absolutely loved, he ran around holding the paper making a race car sound. It made him so happy, that began my sketching to freedom.

I can sit anywhere, listening to music and draw anything, sometimes I don't even think about what I am putting on the paper, I just drift away to a place, with no name. My imagination can go wild, I can draw things I don't always know what it will be, but it calms my mind, in a chaotic world, sketching is peaceful, it is not angry, nor is it sad, it is not under pressure, nor is it compulsory. It is freedom, dreams, peace, kindness, heartfelt, individual, unique and beautiful.

Free sketching is never identical, I can never draw the same picture twice. It is an expression, it can show emotion, it can be strange, but it is never boring. Creating something either from memory, from pictures or from your mind, somehow gives you freedom. I also use charcoal, it is similar to sketching but everything gets shaded. Sketching is fun, and from what I learnt from my son, you don't have to be good at it, to try it, or to enjoy it. Just put pencil to paper and experiment.

Going into your own space, doing something that not only brings you joy but can also turn someone else's day around, is something to cherish, to keep doing, if it helps you mentally and make you feel good, all the while giving you another reality to indulge in, to free yourself and take a break from actual reality, as well as improving your self, your self-esteem and self-confidents, and your talented ability. Never stop, always find a way, find some time to enjoy and indulge in your creative freedom. Be yourself, be individual, be different, but most of all be mindful to yourself.

mental health

About the Creator

Shuffler 88

33, mother of 5, dancer, studying, music is for the soul and everyone should enjoy it, life isn't always easy but was it supposed to be?

Everyone has their issues, some feel greater than others, but in reality we are all equal eternally.

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2026 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.