February 19th, 2026
Rendezvous with the Authentic Archaeologist
“We cannot kindle when we will
The fire that in the heart resides
The spirit bloweth and is still
In mystery our soul abides.”
Matthew Arnold (English Poet and Cultural Critic; December 24th, 1822 ~ April 15th, 1888)
“Like the inner explorer who seekd adventure and the unknown, the authentic archaeologist knows how to unearth remnants of memory buried deeply in the fertile doil of the subconscious mind…The reason we want to awaken the archaeologist is to excavate the real you.”
“How we remember, and what we remember, and why we remember form the most personal map of our individuality.”
Christina Baldwin (Author; April 16th, 1946 ~ )
“Whether you realize it or not, you have lived many lives, and each one has left an indelible mark on your soul. I’m not referring to reincarnation. I’m referring to the episodic way in which our lives evovle: childhood, adolescence, college years or early career, marriages, motherhood…widowhood and onward. At each stage in our lives, we have both laughter and tears. But more important for our interests, we develop personal preferences. Each life experience leaves a layer of memory like a deposit of sdiment: things we’ve loved and moments of contentment we’ve cherished that when recalled, reveal glimmers of our true selves.”
My Bucket List
Before my story began…(Heather Houston 2-19-22)
“My past is often remembered in struggles and challenges vs. joy. I think the neglect I experienced at a young age scarred me and filtered how I saw the world. It makes me sad to realize this about myself.” (Heather Houston 2-19-22)
“I no longer look to the past hoping it holds reasons to the ‘Why’. Instead, I remember the past as something that no longer exists or defines me. The ‘NOW’ is the only thing that is real. In creating my beingness in the NOW, I soak up all the available joy in my life in each moment.” (Heather Houston 2-19-26)
–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 52-53 of 501.
I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.
My Distilled Life 
Dear Heather,
Yes our previous stages in life we truly remember but because we are in the present they cannot remain to define us.
I view these stages of life a profound learning experience. I think all these experiences contribute to our growth and ultimately our wisdom.
Today I feel I am a bit wiser than earlier. I say a bit because it is very hard to quantitate wisdom.
I really appreciate all the people who played a part in my growth.
I think both the negative and positive experiences contribute to our growth and wisdom. After all we need the negative in order to recognize the positive.
I am so grateful to the contribution my parents made to my growth.
My siblings contributed and continue to contribute to my growth. I am grateful to my ancestors who made their own subtle contributions to the next coming generations.
I am so thankful for the new generations who followed me and who I had the opportunity to learn from. After all as new parents our children don’t come with instruction manuals so I am grateful to my children who allowed me to learn as I raised them. After all, I feel all generations contribute to the overall growth of ourselves, our neighbors, our communities, and our world.
Well enough platitudes.
So today I am grateful to all the people who contributed to my growth.
I miss you muchly.
Love
Mom
Donna Houston (Herriott) (Mother; May 11th, 1941)
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Mom…this was such a moving, powerful and authentic share. I feel honored to read it. It touched me at my core. Thank you for sharing yourself.
Now I need to catch up as work was so busy this week and I fell behind on my own writing.
I hope you are enjoying cutting out the new quilt! I love you so much!
Heather Houston (Self; March 30th, 1968)
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