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Toronto Portrait Photographer || HEARTshots || Black + White Photography

Memoirs and musings of Darius Bashar. Toronto portrait photographer and writer, in pursuit of all things real, raw and intimate. 

My mom

 

Our parents are often our deepest influences. They have been cast in the cosmic play that is our lives. Their role imprints onto our character, and accepting and acknowledging that imprint can be super helpful in understanding ourselves.

Yesterday I got to spend some quality time with my mom. For the first time in a long time, I was able to step back and really see her.

My mom is a doer. 🏃🏻‍♀️

She gets shit done. She’s in her 60s now and recently started a new business and she’s already got it up and running. I am blown away by how far it’s already come.

My mom is a lifelong learner. 📚

She is halfway into finishing her Master’s degree. This is after working as a Registered Nurse and Director of Care for decades.

My mom is deeply spiritual. 🧘🏻‍♀️

She meditates daily and has for decades. I remember countless times when I was a kid: I would go to get something from her room and would sneak in only to see her deep in meditation. It was a non-negotiable for her. She was my first meditation teacher and honestly Artist Morning would not exist if it wasn’t for her.

My mom is direct. ⚡️

Sally doesn’t mess around and she is not afraid of anyone. If she has something to say, she will let you know, right to your face. After 40 years I have discovered the secret is not to resist it, just receive it and know this is one of her love languages.

My mom is kind. 💖

For my whole life, whenever I was upset with someone or something my mom would always meet me with an invitation to deepen my compassion. She has a giant heart and it’s left a big imprint on me.

My mom is a rebel. ⚔️

She doesn’t let anyone or anything define her. She doesn’t take shit from anyone. She doesn’t do things the “regular” way, whatever that is. I have her voice permanently ingrained in my head saying, “You gotta have guts Darius. You gotta have personality. Life’s too short to care what people think.

My mom is funny. 🤹🏻‍♀️

She can be silly and wacky and loves to prank people. She is a firm believer that we are here to feel good and that following our joy is the key to life. And for her, laughing and making people laugh is a great way to evoke joy.

I know that sometimes we are so close to someone that it’s hard to fully appreciate them. I am so grateful that yesterday I was able to zoom out and see my incredible mom for who she is.

Love you, mom.