Biography
Born in Portland and raised in southern Oregon, Meg Bishop (she/her) is a creator of several different art forms. She leans into the warm acceptance of her own written words and the deep connection she’s always felt to music, art, and photography. Creating daily, she is inspired by the earth, kindred spirits, and simple melodies. She uses these creative outlets to help her cope with the weight that life, fibromyalgia, anxiety, and depression bring. Feeling lost in the chaos of her upbringing for most of her thirty years breathing, Meg is dedicating time to learning who she is, unlearning bad habits, and overcoming food addiction. She is developing healthy habits that help her both physically and mentally, both for herself and her loved ones. Meg lives an imperfectly happy, endlessly busy, love-filled life with her husband of eleven years, their two precious humans, and two fuzzy boys. Raised surrounded by mountains with every turn, their calm and graceful peaks call to her overwhelmed, introverted heart. She is a heavy-feeling, battered soul who is fulfilled most by the serenity of being alone in the company of animals and nature.
Artist Statement
When you’ve never looked inside something, how do you know what’s in there? You know there’s something, but looking might change your life completely. It might change your entire being. It might hurt. When pain is confronted with the willpower to heal, it begins to diminish. Maybe not fully, but it will try to. Especially if you let it. From birth, unable to live with my biological parents due to my father’s sexual abuse both within and out of our immediate family, I was adopted within our large family of aunts and uncles to ensure I would be p r o t e c t e d. They all held a big meeting regarding who would take and raise me up as their own while still allowing my birth momma to have a relationship with me. For this I am so grateful.
I was argued over. Begged for. Wanted. Loved. Then I was placed with two very broken souls who had good intentions: my uncle and his wife. Their marriages, both together and separately, were a big part of my undoing as well as part of shaping me into the person I stand here proud of today. I tend to easily lose sight of the importance of living because of the hardships I have, and still continue to, face. With this chapter, I am learning to g r o w from the hardships and pain, trying to become the best version of myself I can be, while embracing who I am now.
As I untie and unveil the trauma that wraps me up in its ever so beautifully battered blanket, I use poetry and imagery to represent both the beauty and the wreckage of this life. Starting from some of my first memories, flowing through to the life I long for, each word is entwined with a rhythm that sets out to create an atmosphere of vulnerable, artistic apprehension for the reader of my story; one that leads to an overall knowledge of who I was, am, and want to be.
Being invisible is where I’ve always been more comfortable. I guess you can call this the empathetic, introvert in me. I didn’t want to be seen. I didn’t want to be heard. I barely wanted to breathe to ensure nothing I did hurt a n y o n e. Including me. Especially me. For I was my own worst enemy. Reliving my past, finding my present, and seeking my possible have been life changing. Writing and creating this chapter has helped me heal in ways that are changing my perspective on myself, my loved ones, and life itself. I am ready to be seen. I am ready to be heard. I am ready to b r e a t h e. Knowing through this, I am healed enough to (try) to stop myself from hurting anyone. Including me. I am looking for the beauty in the small, precious moments here and now. I am trying to embrace the flaws and imperfections with the pain because they are important and beautiful.
I am too.
I am m e.
I am M E G.
Appreciations
My heart overflows with gratitude for all of the precious souls who have helped me on this journey. For all of the patient hearts who waited and loved me through the process. For those who raised and formed me into who I am, pain and all (for without the pain I would not be here, nor be who I am). This section is for the people who love me as I am ever-changing, who continue to stand and grow with me, who pull me out of my own wreckage, who help me to see clearly.
K i r s t e n
For accepting me as the battered soul in her classroom fifteen years ago, all the way up to this current day, embracing me with loving arms, for gifting me this incredibly life-changing, mind-shaping opportunity, believing in me, that i have what it takes to emerge from the shadows and finally be heard. For all the hard work and hours upon hours she poured into helping me with this journey and my chapter. I could not have finished without her constant support, encouragement, and direction. From the entirety of my heart, thank you, Kirsten. i am so abundantly grateful to you for so many reasons.
A n d r e w
This has been a journey I could not have gotten through without my amazing husband. His love and supporthas carried me through the ups and downs since the beginning. Holding me up as the waves of life come crashing, he remains steady, as I rock and sway. For always loving me at my best and my worst. Supporting me emotionally, stepping up with our girls and giving me just enough space with just enough love, knowing that I desperately need the balance of both. He is my calm when I am a storm. Saying, “Thank you” will never feel like enough, but I will never stop saying it. I love you with all of my heart, Babe.
A b i g a i l
For being the one I’ve called best friend for almost twenty years, the woman my girls know as auntie: my Best. To know her has been a miracle and a blessing from the day we met. Stumbling through this bittersweet process together has been a beautiful gift to my heart and soul. She has been my security blanket, shielding me from shame and doubt, wrapping me with love and wisdom throughout this journey and beyond. I am forever grateful for you holding me through it all, Best. i.l.y.h.t.t.s.a.b.a.f.t.e.t.t.w.i.l.y.t.b.
A r i a
For her wild spirit, comforting heart and the constant love she pours into me every single day, making this journey a little brighter. Her strength and willpower continue to challenge me to grow, helping me flow from present to possible. For bringing a vision from my past to life for my chapter, giving her all with an emotional image. She has been so patient and understanding as I have put much time into this, taking some away from her. Thank you my little love. I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
B r o o k e
For her calm spirit, daily love, constant grace and understanding. She has effortlessly trusted and supported me during this challenging journey, while also choosing to be in my chapter, representing a difficult part of my past with such stunning, raw emotion. My sweet, big girl saved me from myself the day
she was born, making my life worth living. She has been a beautiful part of my healing all throughout my adulthood and now with my chapter. Thank you for being you, my sweet love. I will love and cherish
you forever.
A d o p t e d M o m
For happiness is not without pain, and she has given me a bittersweet mixture of both. During the moments she was there and true, her hippie-free soul reached out and held mine; teaching me to love all others (animals and earth included), showing me how to find the beauty in the small miracles, loving me with full intention, even though life often got in the way. For showing me the dark side of addiction, because I could have easily fallen into it myself. For choosing to get sober and (hopefully) live out her life in sobriety and solitude. I am so grateful to have learned from her mistakes, pain, and infinite love. You have made me stronger and wiser. I would not be the same person without you and our past. Thank you.
D a d
For raising and loving me the best he could, keeping me as safe as the world would let him. For keeping both of our heads above the water when it felt like we were drowning. For being the strong, stable parent I needed during times he was struggling too. The pain we endured together, and apart, has brought me great strength and empathy. Not to mention the gentle and vulnerable support he has given during this process. My life, my chapter, and I, would not be the same without him. We got through the storms together and I couldn’t ask for more from you. Thank you. I love you, Dad.
A n g i e
There since day one, my big sister, sissy. She has loved and supported me, with openness and understanding, no matter the circumstance, time or distance. For being my safe place when the world felt like my danger. Continuing to love and accept me through it all, even when things got messy, painful, or hard. Thank you for loving me, always. I love you, Sister.
M e l a n i e
This kindred spirit has ignited my soul since the moment she came into my life. Loving me without question, holding me without hesitation or fear of judgement. I am her button and she is my jacket. She has covered me with a steady love, strong support, and beautiful knowledge since starting all of this. She has inspired and motivated me, loving me despite the wreckage that surrounded our hearts in the beginning. Thank you for letting me continue to be a part of your life. Your friendship will always mean the world to me.
C o c r e a t o r s
Each one of us consciously and beautifully plucked, like wild flowers, by Kirsten’s gentle, loving hands. What an honor it has been growing through this process with such an incredible group of creative and powerful humans.To those who spent hours helping me grammatically, creatively, and emotionally, I have such deep gratitude for your help in my chapter reaching its highest potential. Thank you for your kindness and never-ending support.
R e a d e r
For the support they are giving just by reading this book that we’ve poured our hearts into: a mixture of dark, deep, beautiful, raw, and inspiring. Not an easy read, but one that will grab the reader’s heart with every intention to possibly connect with them. Thank you, beautiful soul. I see you and truly hope this book helps you heal in some way, knowing the dark clouds won’t always stay.