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My mum was a natural aesthetically beautiful woman. Then she developed a very rare form of cancer that distorted her whole face beyond recognition. It happened over the course of 10 years, when I was 6 to 16 years old, when she then died from the illness.
Mum was a magnetic individual in the sense of having a big personality, not a wallflower, leading from the heart and speaking her truth. This was somewhat contradictory as a Muslim woman, coming from Egypt.
She had this ability to make people feel amazing about themselves, never judged and was always accepting.
As her illness progressed, she spent less and less time in public, because people would stare in horror. And point. I even remember the turning point when she stopped going out in public because a small child looked at her, got scared and started crying. From that day on, she pretty much remained at home, moving between her bedroom and a patio area.
Mum’s spirit remained strong throughout. And although she lost confidence, she never lost her strength. She held her frail body proudly.
I have come to learn with experience, that beauty and strength are not mutually exclusive. One can be both soft and strong, and beautiful.
Because beauty is speaking your truth. Because beauty is leading from the heart with kindness.
To me, beauty is spirit. Shut your eyes. And see.
Your favourite or recommended book: gah… so many.. how to choose just one. Albert Camus “The Outsider” , Don DeLillo “White Noise”, Patrick Suskind “Perfume”. Currently reading “Boy Swallows Universe” by local Brisbane author Trent Dalton
Your favourite song/music: Sugar Kane by Sonic Youth, Atmosphere by Joy Division, All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem, Hysteric by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Lovely Day by Bill Withers, Everything in it’s right place by Radiohead, The Sunshine Underground by The Chemical Brothers
Your favourite pastime/hobby: I practice Breathwork, Yoga, Hiking and am a keen Potter…my ceramics are sold under the name Studio/A
Your favourite instagram accounts to follow:
@specialbooksbyspecialkids – promotes inclusivity through interviewing people with disability/neurodiversity
@sevymarieart – an uber talented ,teenage abstract artist with attitude and happens to have Down Syndrome and incredible back story of being adopted after spending her youth mostly forcibly restrained to a bed in a Romanian institution
@theresemoussa – I get wonderful inspiration for our stores and projects from following this talented Australian creative. Her conceptual vision and execution are world class
@mouseybrowne – if you have curly hair and live in Australia, you already follow… I don’t have to tell you
@outlanddenim – well crafted, local, ethical and superb fitting denim
@overheardlondon – because I miss my spiritual home and it reminds me of sitting on the number 8
@folia_folia – because I’m a keen gardener and I can feel reduction in my CO2 levels even just viewing this account
@vintage_egyptologist – she’s into vintage (flapper & 1930’s) and Egypt (my heritage) and a badass. What is not to like?
Angie. 46