What A Year!!

Posted on Facebook on a very hard day, which helped me so much!!

I have thought many times over the past, well....two years....that life is just too hard. The trials and tests that I have had to go through have been enormous. Things have happened in my life that I never dreamed were possible, but I always try to look on the bright side of things and learn from those things that aren't so "bright". 

Some of the things that I learned were:

A. I'm soft and kind but I'm also a warrior.
B. It's really true that what doesn't kill me can make me stronger.
C. I found out who my true friends were in this time of crisis and need.
D. When one door or window closes, another opens but I have to be looking for it.
E. What I take for granted can be taken from me in the blink of an eye.
F. What can appear as a "bad" thing, can be an opportunity to learn more or grow from.

While I'm sure there are a lot of other things, these are what's in my mind now. Twice in the last two years I almost lost my life and twice something happened that I feel was a miracle that happened to save it. That tells me I have things to do, people to meet, and growing to do before I leave this earth. 

During the time I waited for the surgery to remove my brain tumor, I received such love and support from my Landing Artist Studio "family" that I'll never be able to thank them enough. I was terrified and they did all they could to let me know that I was cared by them, that I was missed, and that they were there for me. 

Since my surgery, my fine motor skills have been slow to come back enabling me to do the kind of art I did prior to the tumor. I have been working on learning new things and the photos from here to the end of this blog are just a few examples of what will be in the studio in Port Angeles this weekend.

A "bird box" which can hang on the wall. The front (or lid) comes off and a little gift or candy can be inside for that special someone - perhaps as a springtime treat or for Easter. (I have several and they are all different.)

 

My family drew together and encircled me with love and support, including my youngest daughter flying down from the interior of Alaska to be with me and Alan for support. Not the least, has been my wonderful husband, Alan, who has cared for me, who has held me while I sobbed for fear I would not live, and who was beside me every waking moment and watching over me many times in the nights that followed the surgery. 

I have a new friend here on Mains Farm and though she was just in my life for a short time when all this started happening, she was offering me her love and support through it all. She even gave a donation to "Caring Bridge" in my honor that will help someone else. The most important thing is that she and her husband had us over to their home on Christmas Day and she prepared a wonderful meal, gluten-free (for my husband) and gave me a lovely bracelet that I will cherish. 

Even my own therapist called the hospital checking on me during surgery, and called me once a week after I got home to help me over some rough patches. 

When my dearest Alaska friend, Lori, found out about the tumor she told me that if I had to have my head shaved that she would shave her's in support of me. She has long, beautiful blond hair and I know this would have been a serious gesture on her part as we are like sisters. Just having her say this touched me deeply. Thankfully, she still has a full head of hair!! LOL

My first ever hand-painted canvas shopping bag. There will be others and I hope they turn out as well as this one. This was my own design.

These are but a few of the special things that happened this past couple of months. I had visitors to cheer me up; I had almost daily emails from others, and the list goes on and on. I want them to know how thankful I am that they are all in my life. That just knowing they were there helped me when I would wake up in the middle of the night and wonder if I would see the light of the morning. 

Now, don't get me wrong....I do not advocate brain surgery but I have had so many blessings because of it, and it humbles me, but mostly it helps me not take today for granted, to make the most of the day, and to do what I can now and hope that I can do  other things later on. If I tear up and tell you how much you mean to me, it's because I have decided that there is no way for you to know that unless I tell you and I do not ever want to leave this earth without you knowing my feelings for you.

My first attempt at work with Resin.

A wood box with a scalloped front stating, "I have
decided to be happy. That . Is . All"

We all live busy, fast-paced lives until something happens to stop us in our tracks and causes us to take inventory of our lives and what we are doing with them. I am one of the lucky ones who has had that opportunity. Oh, believe me, there have been lots of times that it didn't feel like an opportunity....but it was.

A felt handbag with lace and tiny dark pink flowers hand-sewn on with a matching coin purse with an antique pearl attached as a zipper-pull. I have some other colors as well.

Anyway, I wanted to take this opportunity to declare that I will never take it for granted again that tomorrow the sun will rise, and I will never take for granted all the wonderful friends and family that I am blessed to have surrounding me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

8" x 10" Black canvas with my drawing in white pen and ink and highlighted with acrylic paint.

Here is to a new year, filled with bright surprises, joyous adventures, and profound happiness. Most of all, here is to a year filled with good health and an opportunity to grow as an artist, grow as a friend, grow as a sister, grow as a wife, grow as a mother, and just grow into the person I need to be. 

Love and thank you for reading my ramblings, Janie