When I started filming Imbolc celebrations for my channel, I quickly realized that hands do not celebrate holidays; whole people do. All my videos so far had featured my hands making things, with occasional glimpses of my hair. I couldn’t tell this story like that. Why was I so nervous about showing the rest of me? I’m no actor, for one thing. For another, you don’t see many crones on YouTube. Would I be relevant to all viewers or would I be regarded as old and irrelevant? Mature women face this discrimination all the time. This is more so than ever in this current climate of cruelty and hatred.
I was lamenting this yesterday and a good friend reminded me that my mother never bowed down to the idea that you are ever too old for living your life. She never hung out with just people her own age. Most of her friends were far younger and appreciated her age , wit, and wisdom.
I can’t allow myself to be erased. Tomorrow’s video shows me celebrating the rituals of Imbolc. Today’s affirmation is: I am seen and I take up space.
Tales from the jolly bungalow 